The ‘Mediation for the Nation’ campaign, a collaborative effort by the Supreme Court’s Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee and the National Legal Services Authority, achieved remarkable success in Kerala. By September 30, 2025, an impressive 7,911 legal cases across the state were successfully resolved through mediation.
Running from July 1 to September 30, this initiative aimed to facilitate amicable solutions and alleviate the pressure of a growing backlog in Kerala’s courts. The Kerala State Mediation and Conciliation Centre (KSMCC), operating under the guidance of the Kerala High Court and the Kerala State Legal Services Authority, spearheaded this drive, which saw a total of 26,466 cases referred for mediation.
Official statistics highlight Manjeri as the leading mediation center, resolving 1,143 cases out of 2,852 referred. Thrissur followed with 835 settlements, and Kollam with 761. Other notable contributions came from Thiruvananthapuram (752 settlements), Ernakulam (North Paravur) (692), Alappuzha (661), Kozhikode (627), the High Court (457), Kottayam (410), Palakkad (368), Thalassery (349), Pathanamthitta (327), Thodupuzha (228), Kasaragod (153), and Kalpetta (148). Interestingly, while 80 cases were referred in Lakshadweep, no settlements were recorded there during this period.
An analysis of the resolved cases shows that matrimonial disputes and accident claims constituted the majority. Additionally, the campaign successfully mediated 1,148 criminal compoundable cases, 1,052 cheque bounce cases, and 122 instances of domestic violence. Progress was also observed in other categories such as land acquisition, consumer disputes, partition cases, debt recovery, and eviction, albeit in smaller quantities.
The KSMCC played a pivotal role in coordinating this statewide campaign, drawing upon a dedicated panel of over 700 senior advocates and 17 former district judges who served as mediators. This expertise ensured that disputes were handled with professionalism and a focus on resolution.
According to officials, the campaign’s impressive success underscores the growing recognition and effectiveness of mediation as a vital mechanism for delivering swift justice and alleviating the systemic strain on the conventional judicial system.