Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, is set to deliver a key address at the upcoming International Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Conference 2026, organized by Maadhyam in New Delhi. This significant event is scheduled to take place from August 7 to 9. Themed “ADR Pathways to Legal Harmony,” the conference will feature a diverse array of participants including judges, lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, and international experts who will delve into the latest advancements in mediation and arbitration.
The conference will begin with an inaugural session at the S Block Auditorium of the Delhi High Court on August 7. Notable figures such as Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta are also slated to address the attendees. Internationally renowned speaker, Retired Judge Daniel Weinstein, founder of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) and the Weinstein International Foundation, will contribute his insights as one of the international speakers. The welcome address will be delivered by Maadhyam’s president and Senior Advocate, Amarjit Singh Chandhiok.
The sessions on August 8 and 9 will be hosted at the India Habitat Centre. The second day will highlight discussions on the significance of ADR in commercial disputes, the institutionalization of mediation in India, enforcement of cross-border mediation settlements under the Singapore Convention, and the application of mediation or arbitration in intellectual property disputes. Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul is expected to lend his expertise in a session focused on cross-border mediation. Additionally, Supreme Court Judge Justice Manmohan and Senior Advocate Rajeev Virmani will engage in a fireside chat exploring the future of mediation in India.
The final day of the conference will concentrate largely on arbitration. Former Supreme Court Judge Justice AK Sikri will differentiate between international commercial arbitration and treaty arbitration. Other sessions will explore the enforcement of arbitral awards, third-party funding, and the integration of arbitration with mediation. A fireside chat featuring Delhi High Court Judge Justice Pratibha M Singh and Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak will tackle themes around ADR, artificial intelligence, and legal technology.
For those interested in the detailed agenda and further information about the event, more details can be found on Maadhyam’s official site.
