Mediation: How It Works and When to Use It
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach their own settlement. Learn how it works, when it applies, and what makes it binding.
Online mediation uses video conferencing and digital document sharing. Learn how remote sessions may be organised and what to check before participating.
Online mediation uses video conferencing and digital document sharing instead of an in-person room.
Sessions typically use a secure video-conferencing link shared ahead of time, with any supporting documents uploaded to a shared portal or emailed in advance so the mediator and both parties can review them before the live session. The mediator opens the session the same way as an in-person one: explaining confidentiality, voluntariness, and their own neutral role, before moving into joint or separate discussion exactly as an offline mediation would.
Online mediation removes travel and scheduling friction — useful where parties are in different cities, where one party has mobility constraints, or simply where both sides prefer the convenience of a remote session over blocking out a half-day to travel to a mediation centre. It's also the natural fit for disputes between parties who transacted entirely online in the first place, such as many consumer and e-commerce disputes.
A stable internet connection and a private space to speak freely matter more in online mediation than they do offline, since a poor connection can derail a session's momentum and a lack of privacy can undermine the candour the process depends on. Most mediators and institutions offering online mediation will run a short technical check before the first substantive session to confirm both parties can connect reliably.
General information only — not legal advice and not a solicitation.
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach their own settlement. Learn how it works, when it applies, and what makes it binding.
Online Dispute Resolution uses digital platforms to run mediation, conciliation, or arbitration remotely. Learn how ODR works, where it's used in India, and how it differs from in-person ADR.
How online mediation and online dispute resolution work in India — whether remote settlements are binding, how sessions are conducted, and how parties abroad can resolve Indian disputes without travelling.