Naidu hints at setting up arbitration, mediation centre in Vizag

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday hinted at the prospects of setting up more courts to reduce pendency of cases and an alternate dispute resolution centre in Visakhapatnam for expediting arbitration and mediation.

He was speaking at the international mediation conference organised by the Asia Centre for International Arbitration and Mediation (ACIAM), in collaboration with the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal.

The conference was held under the theme “Bridging Access to Justice through Techniques, Technology & Institutions.” The conference focused on the importance of mediation and arbitration, supported by robust institutions, innovative techniques, and enabling policies as a stepping stone for access to justice in the 21st century. The conference brought together eminent jurists, policymakers, academics, and ADR professionals to deliberate on the future of institutional mediation in India and beyond.

Naidu, who made a brief visit to Visahapatnam from Vijayawada, assured the State Government’s full support to ACIAM and emphasized the importance of strengthening the ecosystem of mediation and arbitration. He affirmed that such initiatives will ensure justice reaches every corner of the state while positioning Andhra Pradesh as a hub for global dispute resolution and investment.

Justice Surya Kant, Judge, Supreme Court of India, highlighted that institutions like ACIAM are vital for delivering justice in a structured, professional, and credible manner. He remarked that institutional mediation provides accessible, reliable, and timely resolution of disputes, bridging the gap between courts and citizens.

Justice P. S. Narasimha, Judge, Supreme Court of India, stressed the urgent need to promote mediation, particularly in developing states like Andhra Pradesh. He observed that strong institutional frameworks could significantly reduce the pressure on courts while fostering a culture of amicable settlement.

Justice D. S. Thakur, Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, underlined that institutions such as ACIAM are indispensable for ensuring speedy justice. He emphasized that by enhancing public trust in dispute resolution, mediation centres play a transformative role in the justice delivery system.

rof. Surya Raju, Secretary-General (Hon.), ACIAM, outlined the institution’s structure, functioning, and ambitious future goals. He underscored the importance of institutional mediation in establishing credibility and professionalism and highlighted ACIAM’s vision of becoming a benchmark centre for international arbitration and mediation in Asia.

Prof. S. Surya Prakash, Vice Chancellor of NLIU, Bhopal, commended the initiative of setting up ACIAM in Visakhapatnam, a city emerging as a global hub of commerce and innovation. He stressed that the establishment of such an institution will not only strengthen access to justice but also enhance confidence in India’s ADR ecosystem.

Prof. Surya Raju (Secretary-General, ACIAM), Vivek N. (Co-founder, ACIAM), U. Nikitha (Co-founder, ACIAM), R. Santhaan Krishnan (Advocate, Supreme Court of India), Prof. S. Surya Prakash, Vice Chancellor, NLIU Bhopal), Suraj Patnaik (Associate, ACIAM), and Shloka P. (Associate, ACIAM) took an active part in successfully organizing the conference.