CLA News / Launching the CLA ADR Committee’s Programme of Events for 2026 by By Santhaan Krishnan, Co-Convener CLA ADR Committee

27/01/2026
Share

As 2026 unfolds, the ADR Committee of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) is pleased to present an ambitious, focused, and forward-looking programme of events for the year ahead. The proposed agenda reflects our collective commitment to strengthening mediation practice, advancing access to justice, and fostering meaningful professional engagement across the Commonwealth.

The year 2026 is envisaged as one of consolidation and calibrated expansion—bringing together training excellence, institutional collaboration, and cross-border exchange of ideas. At the heart of this programme lies a renewed emphasis on Access to Justice, to be advanced through structured mediation training initiatives for members of the legal fraternity. These initiatives will be complemented, where appropriate, by mediation refresher courses designed to support continuing professional development and reinforce best practices within the mediation community.

In addition to capacity-building efforts, the ADR Committee proposes to host a series of online guest lectures delivered by experienced practitioners and thought leaders from across jurisdictions. These sessions are conceived as informal yet substantive forums for dialogue, mentorship, and exchange of perspectives, with particular emphasis on nurturing and guiding young lawyers with an interest in ADR.

Proposed Calendar of Events for 2026

  1. February – Guest Lecture by Ms. Prabha Sankarnarayan, Chief Executive Officer, Mediation Beyond Borders International (MBBI), Pennsylvania, USA, on “Community Mediation”.

  2. February – Guest Lecture by Prof. Dr. Ulla Glaesser, European University, Germany, on Mediation and Conflict Management.

  3. March (9/10) – 5th Soli Sorabjee Memorial Lecture at the India International Centre, New Delhi, to be delivered by Justice P. S. Narasimha, Judge, Supreme Court of India.

  4. March (17/18) – Guest Lecture by Mr. Andrew Miller, Barrister-at-Law, London, and a leading exponent of mediation.

  5. March/April – Sports Law Conference on resolving sports disputes through ADR, to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, under the aegis of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

  6. July/August – In-Person Commonwealth Mediation Conference, to be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on 31 July, 1 August, and 2 August 2026. The Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has graciously consented to be the Chief Guest.

  7. August – Online 12-day 7th Annual International Summer School on Mediation.

  8. Replication of the International Summer School on Mediation, specifically tailored for participants from the Caribbean and African regions.

  9. December – Pursuant to a proposal from the Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF), a possible Asia-Pacific Mediation Conference to be held in Sri Lanka.

  10. December (19/20) – Proposed Guest Lecture by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in Mumbai, to be organised as part of the 38th All India Advocates Cricket Tournament.

The proposed agenda for 2026 is envisaged to be undertaken in association with NIVAARAN – Mediators of the Supreme Court of India, an institutional member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and an integral partner in these initiatives. Other collaborating organisations include the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), the Asia Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF), and the Cricket Association for Advocates in India (CAAI).

This proposed calendar is shared in the spirit of collaboration, collective growth, and professional enrichment for members of the legal fraternity across the Commonwealth. I would be grateful if this proposed calendar of events for the year 2026 could be circulated to the Co-Convenors group of CLA’s Committees.

As we embark on this exciting year, the ADR Committee warmly invites CLA members to actively engage with these initiatives—as participants, speakers, collaborators, and mentors. Your ideas, energy and involvement will be vital in shaping a truly inclusive and impactful ADR ecosystem across the Commonwealth. We look forward to working together to make 2026 a defining year for mediation and access to justice.

Santhaan Krishnan

CLA Honorary Life President and Co-Convenor of the CLA ADR Committee

🚀 Get Involved: Make 2026 a Landmark Year for ADR

The CLA ADR Committee invites all CLA members to actively participate and contribute to our 2026 programme:

  • Join conferences, lectures, and training sessions

  • Lead a session or panel as a speaker or facilitator

  • Collaborate on regional or international ADR initiatives

  • Mentor young lawyers and emerging mediators

  • Share ideas, research, or proposals for future ADR programmes

Ready to make an impact? Reach out to the ADR Committee today and be part of shaping the future of mediation across the Commonwealth!

Please email info@commonwealthlawyers.com to express your interest in joining this committee for CLA members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related News