Online Dispute Resolution

Online Dispute Resolution is a key regulatory filing administered by the relevant statutory authority. Filing is executed via (a) **Mediation agreement** (Mediation Act 2023 Form I — s.6 — parties may modify); (b) **Settlement agreement** (Mediation Act 2023 Form II — s.22 — signed by parties + mediator); (c) **Arbitration notice / request for arbitration** (Form I of Fourth Schedule to A&C Act 1996); (d) **Arbitration claim / statement of claim** (institutional — SIAC Form R1A / MCIA Form 1 / ICC Request for Arbitration); (e) **Online mediation request** (Sama ODR Form / Samadhan portal online form); (f) **Commercial Courts (PIMS) Form I** (Annexure I to Commercial Courts [Pre-Institution Mediation and Settlement] Rules 2018 — application under s.12A). under **Arbitration & Conciliation Act 1996** — Part I (domestic arbitration) — s.8 (refer parties to arbitration), s.9 (interim measures by court), s.11 (appointment of arbitrator — institutions designated by Supreme Court / High Court), s.17 (interim measures by tribunal), s.19 (procedure), s.27 (court assistance in taking evidence), s.34 (setting aside), s.37 (appeals); **Part II — Enforcement of Foreign Awards** — s.44-60 (New York Convention awards — s.48 conditions for enforcement); s.53-60 (Geneva Convention awards); **Mediation Act 2023** (effective 14 August 2023) — s.3 (mediation defined — includes online mediation), s.5 (scope — civil / commercial disputes — excludes criminal, family, certain IBC), s.6 (mediation agreement), s.8 (mediator — panel under Mediation Council of India Regulations 2024), s.10 (commencement), s.11 (termination — 180 days extendable to 365 days), s.15 (mediator's role), s.21 (mediator may communicate electronically — expressly permits ODR), s.22 (settlement agreement — enforceable as per s.74 A&C Act — decree of civil court), s.23 (settlement agreement in writing + electronic form valid); **Information Technology Act 2000 — s.5** (legal recognition of electronic records), **s.10A** (validity of contracts formed through electronic means), **s.65B** (admissibility of electronic evidence — *Arjun Panditrao Khotkar* SC 2020); **Consumer Protection Act 2019 s.69 + Mediation Regulations 2020** (court-annexed ODR); **NITI Aayog ODR Policy 2020** (policy framework — non-statutory but persuasive); **Commercial Courts Act 2015 s.12A** (mandatory pre-institution mediation and settlement for commercial suits — effective 20 August 2018 — Commercial Courts (Pre-Institution Mediation and Settlement) Rules 2018).. Our specialist-led team ensures full compliance with statutory documentation, eligibility verification, and expedited government approval.