Jaipur: Jaipur is set to become the centre of international legal discussions as it hosts the Commonwealth Peace Mediation and Rule of Law Conference from July 31 to August 2. The three-day conference will bring together judges, senior lawyers, mediators, legal experts, academics and policymakers from across Commonwealth countries to discuss ways to make justice faster, more effective and focused on lasting peace.
The conference will focus on the concept of “Peace Mediation”, which goes beyond simply settling legal disputes. Organisers say the aim is not only to resolve cases outside court but also to remove bitterness and mistrust between the parties, reducing the chances of future conflicts. They believe that if mediation is used effectively, disputes that often take years in courts could be resolved within days or a few weeks.
Another major theme of the conference will be the Rule of Law, with discussions on strengthening judicial systems, protecting citizens’ rights and improving access to justice across Commonwealth nations. Around 30 Commonwealth countries have already confirmed their participation, while all 52 member countries have been invited.
Rajasthan was chosen to host the conference following its strong performance in promoting mediation. According to the organisers, the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority successfully settled around 25,000 cases through mediation and built a network of over 2,000 trained mediators, making the state a model for alternative dispute resolution.
The conference will be attended by judges from the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts and several foreign jurisdictions, along with legal experts from countries including the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Kenya, Malaysia, Bangladesh and the Bahamas.
One of the key outcomes of the event is expected to be the Jaipur Peace Mediation Declaration, a document that will outline common principles on peace mediation, conflict resolution and the rule of law.
Organisers believe the declaration could serve as a guiding framework for promoting mediation and improving access to justice across Commonwealth countries in the coming years.