TMI Blog2024 (3) TMI 584X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... diation. However, I do not find this case to be supported by the documents annexed to the application. There is no report of any mediation centre stating that mediation has failed. The orders of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Chandigarh, annexed to the application, also demonstrate only that the parties submitted before the Court that there was chance of compromise, but the attempt was ultimately found to be futile. In the present case, there is no record that an attempt has been made in mediation, and that no urgent relief is sought. Pre-litigation mediation was therefore mandatory. The application is consequently dismissed, and the plaint is also rejected under Order VII Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The suit is accordin ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... diation in accordance with such manner and procedure as may be prescribed by rules made by the Central Government. (2) The Central Government may, by notification, authorise the Authorities constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (39 of 1987), for the purposes of pre-institution mediation. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (39 of 1987), the Authority authorised by the Central Government under sub-section (2) shall complete the process of mediation within a period of three months from the date of application made by the plaintiff under sub-section (1): Provided that the period of mediation may be extended for a further period of two months with the consent of the parties: Pr ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... The said exception is not applicable in the present case, as no urgent interim relief is contemplated. 8. The plaintiff s case here is predicated only on the fact that it has already undertaken efforts to settle the disputes between parties. Ms. Wadia refers to in paragraph 3 of the application, wherein it is stated that the parties were also referred to mediation. However, I do not find this case to be supported by the documents annexed to the application. There is no report of any mediation centre stating that mediation has failed. The orders of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Chandigarh, annexed to the application, also demonstrate only that the parties submitted before the Court that there was chance of compromise, but the attempt was ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... andatory interpretation, would result in defeating the object and intention of Parliament. The fact that the mediation can become a non-starter, cannot be a reason to hold the provision not mandatory. Apparently, the value judgment of the lawgiver is to give the provision, a modicum of voluntariness for the defendant, whereas, the plaintiff, who approaches the court, must, necessarily, resort to it. Section 12-A elevates the settlement under the Act and the Rules to an award within the meaning of Section 30(4) of the Arbitration Act, giving it meaningful enforceability. The period spent in mediation is excluded for the purpose of limitation. The Act confers power to order costs based on conduct of the parties. [Emphasis supplied.] 11. The u ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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