Telugu Region Lawyers Forum Highlights Mediation as a New Trend in Community Dispute Resolution

Hyderabad, August 24, 2025: The Annual Meeting of the Telugu Region Lawyers Forum (TRCLF), which unites Catholic advocates, priests, and religious sisters, was held today at St. Mary’s Pharmacy College on the theme “Community Mediation: A New Trend.”

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The conference placed strong emphasis on the role of mediation in addressing disputes within communities. Mr. Mohd. Asif Amjad, a trained mediator from the Telangana High Court, delivered a keynote talk explaining the significance of Christian Community Mediation Centres. He noted that mediation provides constructive pathways for resolving conflicts and highlighted the role of court-annexed mediation, stressing that mediators are committed to guiding individuals towards workable solutions.

Hon’ble Dr. Shyam Sree, Principal Judge of the Family Court, Secunderabad, served as Chief Guest. In her address, she encouraged the establishment of counselling and mediation centres at parish and grassroots levels, particularly to handle marital and family disputes. Dr. Shyam Sree underlined that mediation should precede court proceedings wherever possible and urged mediators to extend selfless service in alleviating the heavy caseload faced by courts.

Bishop Jaya Rao Polimera, Chairman of TRCLF, reminded Catholic lawyers of their duty to be well-versed in the Indian Constitution to serve society effectively, especially the Christian community. He called for community mediation to be embraced not merely as a legal experiment but as a national mission towards building a more compassionate and harmonious India. “Let this trend not fade as a passing policy but grow as a moral culture — rooted in justice, compassion, and collective wisdom,” he said.

In the valedictory session, Cardinal Poola Anthony underscored that “mediation is the soul of the community,” linking it to the Christian call to peacemaking. He described mediation as both a legal innovation and a spiritual opportunity, reflecting India’s heritage and the teachings of all faiths. Citing the biblical verse, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God,” the Cardinal said true peacemaking requires courage, listening, empathy, and humility.

Cardinal Anthony also clarified that community mediation should complement rather than replace the judiciary. “The law is still our backbone — but mediation is the heart that pumps compassion and understanding into our system,” he stated. He encouraged churches, schools, and families to promote mediation practices and urged young people to train as mediators to become ambassadors of dialogue in today’s fractured society.

The meeting concluded with a felicitation ceremony and a vote of thanks by Fr. Raju Alex, Advocate and Deputy Secretary of the TCBC.

Telugu Region Lawyers Forum Highlights Mediation as a New Trend in Community Dispute Resolution

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