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Attorney General Venkataramani Calls for Emotion in Dispute Resolution at Summit
The Indian legal landscape is witnessing a paradigm shift as stakeholders from the judiciary, government, and private sector converge to reimagine dispute resolution. At the heart of this transformation is the Smart Resolution Summit , convened by —an independent, technology-driven ADR and ODR institution—which brought together retired and sitting judges, senior government officials, and industry leaders on Thursday. The summit served as a platform to deliberate on strengthening and accelerating the adoption of frameworks.
Attorney General for India, , delivered the keynote address, setting an introspective tone for the discussions. He remarked, “The is mechanical,” urging the legal community to infuse a human touch into dispute resolution. His call to “talk with emotion about dispute resolution” resonated throughout the event, challenging the profession to move beyond rigid procedural frameworks.
A Call for Emotion in Dispute Resolution
Venkataramani’s keynote was not merely an observation but a pointed critique of conventional litigation’s limitations. He highlighted how the adversarial process often prioritizes form over substance, leaving parties dissatisfied even when judgments are technically sound. By advocating for emotion-driven dialogue, the Attorney General implicitly endorsed the very principles that underpin ODR—flexibility, empathy, and efficiency.
His remarks align with a growing recognition within the legal fraternity that dispute resolution must serve not only legal justice but also relational and emotional closure. This sentiment set the stage for the subsequent sessions, which explored how technology can humanize rather than dehumanize the resolution process.
Judges Emphasize Evolution and Efficiency
A plenary session featuring Justice Hemant Gupta , Justice Tejas Karia , and Justice J.R. Midha —all distinguished former judges—expanded on the theme of evolution. Justice Karia underscored that “dispute resolution must continue to evolve with the needs of society,” pointing to ODR as a critical tool for handling the rising volume of disputes across industries. He, along with Justice Gupta, noted that ODR is already proving its value in sectors like e-commerce, banking, and real estate, and urged the legal community to embrace it without hesitation.
Justice Midha focused on the operational side, emphasizing the need to improve efficiency in arbitration through technology-backed processes. He advocated for integrating digital case management, virtual hearings, and automated document analysis to reduce delays and costs—issues that have long plagued traditional arbitration.
Launches Open-Source AI Library
A highlight of the summit was the launch of ’s AI Library for Arbitration , released as an open-source tool in the presence of the dignitaries. This resource is designed to help arbitrators, counsel, and researchers access precedents, legal principles, and insights more efficiently. By making the library open-source, ensures that the arbitration community can contribute to and benefit from a growing body of knowledge, fostering collaboration rather than competition.
The AI Library represents a significant step toward democratizing legal technology. It aims to reduce the time spent on legal research, enabling practitioners to focus on strategy and client outcomes. Moreover, the open-source model encourages transparency and continuous improvement, which are essential for building trust in AI-assisted dispute resolution.
Panel Explores Policy and Mindset Changes
A panel discussion brought together perspectives from policy, regulation, and practice. Dr. Banusri Velpandian , Senior Specialist at , noted that several regulatory and industry ecosystems have already adopted an ODR-first approach. She observed a direct link between dispute resolution reforms and economic growth, suggesting that efficient ODR mechanisms can unlock capital and reduce business friction.
Dr. Avnit Singh Arora , Director at the , outlined various government initiatives to promote and ODR. He highlighted the twin objectives of expanding access to alternative dispute resolution in Tier-II and Tier-III cities and villages, while positioning India as a regional and global hub for ADR. These efforts include policy support, capacity building, and infrastructure development.
, Partner at , offered a practical perspective, emphasizing that policy and regulatory measures must be accompanied by a corresponding change in mindset within the legal community and the judiciary. Without a cultural shift—away from adversarial habits and toward collaborative problem-solving—even the best frameworks would struggle to gain traction.
Impact on Legal Practice and the Justice System
The Smart Resolution Summit signals a growing institutional commitment to ODR and AI in India. For legal professionals, the implications are profound. The emphasis on technology-driven processes means that lawyers and arbitrators will need to upskill—learning to use AI tools for research, case analysis, and even drafting. The open-source AI Library lowers the barrier to entry, but adoption will require a willingness to experiment.
The judiciary, too, faces an imperative to evolve. As seen in the plenary session, senior judges are already championing ODR. Their endorsement can encourage trial courts and tribunals to pilot ODR programs, especially for high-volume, low-complexity disputes. The government’s focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities aligns with the goal of equitable access, but success will depend on digital infrastructure and training.
The summit also highlighted a key tension: technology can enhance efficiency, but it must not replace the human element. Venkataramani’s call for emotion serves as a reminder that dispute resolution is ultimately about people. The best ODR platforms will be those that combine algorithmic precision with empathetic design.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the summit, Namita Shah , Co-Founder of , expressed hope that the event would act as “a conversation starter for wider adoption and acceptance of Online Dispute Resolution across government, judiciary, and independent dispute ecosystems.” She emphasized that ODR’s technological tools allow stakeholders to “reimagine dispute resolution processes across different categories and design for their unique requirements.”
As India seeks to become a global hub for Alternative Dispute Resolution, the Smart Resolution Summit has laid a foundational blueprint. The discussions underscored that the path forward requires collaboration—between the bench, the bar, the government, and technology providers. The AI Library for Arbitration is a tangible asset, but the real transformation will come from a collective shift in mindset and a sustained commitment to innovation.
The legal community now stands at a crossroads: embrace the tools and philosophies of ODR, or risk being left behind in an increasingly digital world. If the energy and ideas from this summit are any indication, the choice is clear.
