Justice Beyond the Courtroom: Strengthening ADR Through Legal Aid & Pro Bono Initiatives

Theme: Exploring the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Legal Aid, and Pro Bono practices in ensuring accessible and affordable justice.

3.Event Date: 20.09.2025

Event brief description

The School of Law, Galgotias University, through its Legal Aid Clinic and Pro Bono Club and the Centre for Alternate Dispute Resolution, in collaboration with Unite Up NGO and Nyayashastram, successfully organized an insightful event titled “Justice Beyond the Courtroom: Strengthening ADR Through Legal Aid & Pro Bono Initiatives” The event aimed to explore how ADR can strengthen access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities, while alleviating the burden on conventional court systems. The program began with a warm welcome address by Professor (Dr.) Aditya Tomar, Dean, School of Law, emphasizing the growing significance of ADR mechanisms. This was followed by a concept note presentation by Ms. Sanjana Singh, which highlighted the interconnection of ADR, legal aid, and pro bono initiatives in advancing justice delivery. A distinguished panel comprising Adv. Udit Chauhan, Adv. Prashant Kumar, Adv. Abhishek Bhushan Singh, and Adv. Bharath Pandey enriched the session with critical insights on ADR’s historical development, present challenges, limitations, and future prospects. The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session and a vote of thanks by Mr. Harsh Sandhu, acknowledging the collaborative effort in making the event a success.

Event Detailed Description

The insightful event “Justice Beyond the Courtroom: Strengthening ADR Through Legal Aid & Pro Bono Initiatives” was organized on by the Legal Aid Clinic and Pro Bono Club and Centre for Alternate Dispute Resolution, School of Law, Galgotias University, in collaboration with Unite Up NGO and Nyayashastram. The event was designed to highlight the growing importance of ADR in the Indian legal landscape and its role in providing accessible and cost-effective justice. The program opened with a welcome address by Professor (Dr.) Aditya Tomar, Dean, School of Law, who highlighted ADR mechanisms as vital for reducing the pendency of cases in courts and offering speedy resolutions. Following this, Ms. Sanjana Singh presented the concept note, setting the intellectual framework for the session by underscoring the synergy between ADR, pro bono practices, and legal aid in strengthening access to justice for underserved sections of society.

The central feature of the program was a panel discussion featuring eminent legal experts:

Adv. Udit Chauhan (Partner, Jade Lex)

Adv. Prashant Kumar (AOR, Supreme Court of India; Partner, Dua Associates)

Adv. Abhishek Bhushan Singh (Advocate, Associate Arches Law & Founder & MD, Nyayashastram)

Adv. Bharath Pandey (Law Officer, ONGC)

The discussion traced the historical development of ADR from the Arbitration Act, 1940 to the more comprehensive Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, shaped by UNCITRAL principles and the TRIPS Agreement. Panelists stressed how ADR mechanisms reduce litigation delays but highlighted their limitations in criminal and taxation matters. The Salem Bar Association case and ONGC’s policy of amicable settlement within six months were cited as benchmarks for ADR promotion in India.

The panel also addressed pressing issues such as “legal terrorism,” the delays within processes, and the notion that in India, “the process itself is often a punishment.” Additionally, the potential of AI and technology in ADR was discussed, with the panelists cautioning against over-reliance without safeguarding fairness and justice. The session concluded with a lively question-and-answer round, where students interacted with the panelists, gaining practical knowledge about ADR applications. The event ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Harsh Sandhu, Faculty Convenor, who acknowledged the contributions of speakers, organizers, and participants. the event not only deepened students’ understanding of ADR but also reinforced the commitment of Galgotias University’s School of Law to promote accessible justice and pro bono culture.

Department Name –School of Law 

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