Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (ADRC)

“The challenge is not to eliminate conflict but to transform it”

“Judgment hinders imagination”

• Roger Fisher

About Us                                        

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee at Tamil Nadu National Law University was established in the year 2018 to serve as a comprehensive platform to introduce law students to the dynamic world of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Our commitment is rooted in preparing law students for the evolving landscape of dispute resolution, where ADR methods are gaining prominence. The ADRC has successfully conducted workshops, intra university ADR competitions, along with 5 editions of its flagship event, the TNNLU National Med-Arb Competition (NMAC).

Our Aim

In a world where traditional dispute resolution mechanisms often falter, we believe in the transformative potential of ADR. The ADRC’s mission is to expose and equip budding legal minds with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in various ADR methods. We aspire to inculcate in our student community the ability to reshape the way disputes are resolved.

Our Work

1. National Med-Arb Competition

Our vision to promote ADR is exemplified through our flagship event, the TNNLU National Med-Arb Competition, a unique format of ADR competitions and the first of its kind in India. From the year 2019, we have hosted teams from across the country to participate in this distinct hybrid version of the Alternative Dispute Mechanism that aims to imbibe a more holistic approach to ADR. The NMAC is a realistic reflection of the current dispute resolution landscape that puts to test more than a singular skillset. This competition consists of two separate rounds of Mediation and Arbitration. The team reprising the role of Client- Counsel in the Mediation Rounds will become the Counsels in the Arbitration Rounds. The participant reprising the role of a Mediator in the Mediation rounds dons the role of an Arbitrator in the Arbitration Rounds. All the participants will be judges by a separate panel of judges in the two Preliminary Rounds for Mediation and Arbitration. The Competition will consist of 3 rounds viz. Prelims, Semi Finals and Finals spread over a span of three days. In previous editions, the themes of the NMAC have varied from medical negligence, insurance, corporate and contractual disputes.

2. Intra University Alternative Dispute Resolution Competition

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee annually hosts the Intra University Alternative Dispute Resolution Competitions in 4 segments – arbitration, negotiation, mediation and client counselling. The Competition provides a platform for students to explore, hone and showcase their skills in a competitive yet collaborative environment. It is an opportunity to enhance your mediation and negotiation techniques, strategic thinking, and communication prowess. This competition is a great learning experience and opportunity for the first year who are new to ADR.  

3. Freshers Orientation, Workshops on ADR etc.

We are dedicated to nurturing a culture of ADR through orientations for first year students, a series of freshers’ workshops, and ongoing sessions that introduce them to ADR methods. We believe in hands-on-learning, which is promoted through various simulations exercises that introduces the nuances in different forms of ADR.

Our Achievements in ADR Competitions

• Semi Finalists in 3rd Edition of RGNUL National Negotiation Competition, 2023
• 'Best Upcoming Negotiating Pair' in Mediation Bombay 4.0 (2023) organized by Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
• ‘Winning Negotiating Team’ in the Mediation Segment of 1st edition of the International Negotiation and Mediation Competition, 2023, in association with Wadia Ghandy and Co organized by NMIMS Kirit P. Mehta School of Law, Mumbai.
• Quarter finalists in Mediation – Client Attorney Segment at IX NLS NMC 2023 hosted by National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
• Semi Finalists in RMLNLU International Mediation Competition, 2023 hosted by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow.
• Semi Finalists in 3^rd Edition of Mediation Bombay, International Dispute Resolution Competition, 2022 hosted by Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai.
• Octa-finalists in the 4^th edition of the RGNUL Sports and Entertainment Law Mediation Competition, 2022.
• ‘Top Mediator at Intercessions’, in Intercessions 2021 a mediation competition organized by the Indian Law Society’s Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, Pune.
• ‘Runners Up’ in the NLUJ Deal Mediation Competition, 2021 hosted by National Law University, Jodhpur.
• ‘Runners Up Negotiation Team’ at the NUJS Mediation Competition, 2021 hosted by the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
• ‘Best Interaction with a Mediator' at NUJS Mediation Competition, 2021 hosted by West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata.
• ‘2^nd Best Mediator' in 5^th National Alternative Dispute Resolution Competition, 2020 hosted by School of Law Christ University, Bangalore.
• 'Best Memorial' at GMU-CIArb International Maritime Arbitration Competition, 2020 hosted by Gujarat Maritime University, Gandhinagar.
• ‘Winners’ in 3^rd NLIU-Link Legal National Client Counselling Competition, 2020 hosted by National Law Institute University, Bhopal.
• 'Best Med-Arb Client Advocate Team' in the 1^st National Online Med-Arb Competition, 2020 hosted by the ADR Board, School of Law, Christ, Bangalore.
• ‘Winners’ of the Mediation Competition in 4^th National ADR Competition, 2018, hosted by the School of Law Christ University, Bangalore.

Our Committee

Membership to the ADRC is undertaken based on a two-tier process – submission of a statement of purpose and a personal interview with the Faculty In Charge. We always welcome volunteers to assist us in conducting intra university competitions, workshops and NMAC.

For the Academic Year 2023-2024, our committee consists of:

Faculty In Charge(s):

Ms. Mrinmoyee Mukherjee , Assistant Professor of Law                                                                              

Mr. Vasishtan. P , Assistant Professor of Law 

Committee Member(s):

Ms. Shrutakeerti Eshwar (2019-2024) – Convenor

Mr. J. Jayasudhagar (2019-2024) – Co- Convenor

Mr. Sanjith C (2019-2024)

Ms. Shunmalar M (2019-2024)

Mr. Pranav R (2020-2025)

Ms. Udhithaa S K Kota (2020-2025)

Ms. Shruti Kishore (2020-2025)

Ms. Ramsha Hashmi (2021-2026)

Ms. Dheekshanya A (2021-2026)

Ms. Muthamil M R (2021-2026)

Ms. Shreya P (2022-2027)

Ms. Sakthi Palanichamy (2022-2027)

 Ms. Leah Sarah Eapen (2022-2027)

Ms. Kavya Sasidharan (2023-2028)

Mr. Arush Ashok Prabakar (2023-2028)

Ms. Yauvnitha (2023-2028)

Mr. Rupendra Kishor Gautam (2023-2028)

Lets Resolve !

Contact Us: adrc@tnnlu.ac.in