India’s justice system is carrying one of the heaviest caseloads in the world. Data from the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) shows that as of 2024, there are over 5 crore pending cases across all Indian courts. The district and subordinate courts alone account for the overwhelming bulk, around 85–90% of all pendency. In such a landscape, it is clear that courts cannot realistically adjudicate every dispute within a reasonable time. Mediation therefore moves from being an optional alternat...