BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED: 05.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI

D.A.Prabakar ... Petitioner

Vs

1.The Secretary to Government,

Food, Co-Operation and Consumer Protection Department,

Fort. St. George, Chennai - 9.

2.The Director,

Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Center,

Honourable High Court of Madras,

Chennai-600 104.

3.The Registrar,

State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission,

TNPSC Road, Park Town.

Chennai-600 003.

4.The President,

District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum,

Palayamkottai,

Tirunelveli - 627002. ...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the fourth respondent to conduct Mediation Training Program to the petitioner in accordance with the mediation training manual of India as published by the Mediation and conciliation project committee of Honble Supreme Court of India by considering the petitioner's representation dated 25.10.2023.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Jeyamohan For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate

O R D E R

The petitioner, a practicing Advocate at Tirunelveli was selected as Mediator, by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, vide proceedings dated 16.08.2022, for a period of five years. According to the petitioner, though he was selected as a Mediator in the year 2022, he was not provided with 40 hours of mediation training as mandated by the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. Therefore, this petitioner has approached this Court, seeking directions to conduct mediation training.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has sent a representation to the President of the State Consumer Redressal Commission and the Hon'ble Chief Justice of the High Court of Madras on 25.10.2023 and it was forwarded to the Director, Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Center, High Court of Madras, Chennai for necessary action. The Director has replied that mediation training would be conducted in batches with the concurrence of the Department head and by paying necessary fees. The learned counsel further submits that the authorities to sanction funds and depute the mediators are the first and third respondents herein. The petitioner has sent a representation to them on 24.10.2024, however no steps have been taken by them so far. Therefore, he prays for a Mandamus to the authorities for conducting the mediation training as per the Mediation Training Manual of India.

3.This court considered the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and also perused the materials on record.

4.Mediation plays an important role in ensuring timely and amicable resolution of disputes between parties. The effectiveness of mediation depends on the quality and preparedness of the mediator conducting the process. Therefore, the Mediation Training Manual of India mandates a minimum of 40 hours of structured training, to equip the mediators with skills such as effective communication, decision-making and the management of disputes in a balanced and impartial manner. The Manual also prescribes the curriculum and the nature of such training. Such training ensures that the mediator maintains neutrality, prevents undue influence, and guides the parties towards informed and voluntary resolution.

5.Therefore, this Court is of the view that the petitioner has to be provided with 40 hours training as mandated in the Mediation Training Manual. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. The first and third respondents are directed to take necessary steps to ensure that this petitioner/ mediator is provided with mediation training as per the Mediation Training Manual of India. No costs.

05.12.2025 NCC: Yes/No Index:Yes/No vrn To

1.The Secretary to Government, Food, Co-Operation and Consumer Protection Department, Fort. St. George, Chennai - 9.

2.The Director, Tamil Nadu Mediation and