Paving the Way for Mediation in India

By IG Team

When it comes to legal professionals, the image of a courtroom battle often comes to mind. But for Komal Mathur, a law student from V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, the traditional idea of resolving disputes in a courtroom was not enough Instead, she sought out a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with a focus on mediation.

Born in Thane, Maharashtra, Komal moved to Goa when she was just 11 years old. She attended the Navy Children School in Vasco before eventually pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer. Despite coming from a family of m a r i n e r s , K o m a l w a s determined to make her mark in the legal profession. Komal's journey towards ADR began when she joined the ADR Society in her college. There, she discovered the beauty of mediation, a process that allows for dispute resolution outside the confines of the courtroom. For Komal, this was a game-changer. She found it more effective, e f f i c i e n t a n d p e a c e f u l compared to traditional court proceedings.

But it was not an easy path for Komal. Coming from a tier 2 or 3 law school, she knew that she had to achieve much more than the ordinary in order to make it in the legal world. And so, she set herself a goal of winning 5 trophies in 5 years. She surpassed this goal by winning 10 trophies in various competitions, including the INADR Poland tournament in September 2022 where her team was the only one from Asia to participate. Komal also won the Award for ‘The Best Opening Statement’ and was also adjudged to be one of the best negotiating pairs.

Komal's achievements are a testament to her dedication and hard work. In addition to her competition wins, she has also co-authored a book and a u t h o r e d a b l o g o n Transformative Mediation. Despite the success she has achieved, Komal recognizes that the ADR profession still faces apprehension from many professionals in the legal fraternity. This is why she encourages aspiring law students to walk the extra mile and gain as much experience a s t h e y c a n t h r o u g h competitions, internships, conferences, and other opportunities.

For Komal, the future is bright. She aspires to continue down the path of ADR and hopes to be actively involved in the a m i c a b l e r e s o l u t i o n o f disputes. With her passion for mediation and her dedication to the profession, there's no doubt that she will continue to make waves in the legal world.