A Landmark Day for Justice in Andhra Pradesh: Mediation Symposium and Judicial Infrastructure Milestones - AP Events

 

On March 1, 2026, Andhra Pradesh witnessed a transformative day in its pursuit of accessible, efficient, and harmonious justice. Led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the events blended high-level advocacy for mediation with concrete steps to build world-class judicial infrastructure in Amaravati.The State-Level Symposium on Mediation: Dialogue as the Cornerstone of Justice
Held in Vijayawada and organized by the Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA), the symposium titled “Mediation: Dialogue as the Cornerstone of Justice” brought together judicial leaders, policymakers, and legal experts. CJI Justice Surya Kant, as chief guest, delivered a powerful keynote emphasizing that mediation is no longer just an alternative—it must become the preferred mode of dispute resolution to ease court backlogs.
Backed by the Mediation Act, 2023, he called for cultivating a nationwide "mediation culture" that restores parties' dignity, agency, and mutual trust through amicable settlements. Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur also highlighted the state's commitment to alternative dispute resolution.
CM Naidu, who felicitated the CJI, praised mediation's real-world potential, drawing inspiration from the Amaravati land pooling model where thousands of farmers reached consensus. To incentivize mediators and parties, he announced honorariums: ₹10,000 for successful mediations and ₹3,000 even for good-faith unsuccessful attempts.
The CM appealed to the CJI to establish the National Judicial Academy in Amaravati, positioning the emerging capital as a "model judicial city" with dedicated zones for premier legal institutions.

Foundation Stones and Inaugurations: Building the Future of Justice in Amaravati
The day shifted to Amaravati for landmark ceremonies reinforcing the state's vision of a modern Justice City.

• Andhra Pradesh Judicial Academy: CJI Justice Surya Kant and CM Naidu laid the foundation at Pitchikalapalem (5.7 km from the High Court) on 4.83 acres, with a ₹165 crore budget. The facility includes an academic block (basement + ground + 3 floors), hostels, sports amenities, and guest accommodations to train over 120 batches of judicial officers yearly.
• High Court Guest House and Club: Foundation laid for a ground + 3-floor structure on 6,300 sq yards, featuring modern comforts like a supermarket, swimming pool, spa, lounge, gymnasium, and yoga hall for visiting judges.
• High Court Judges’ Residential Enclave: Inaugurated with bungalows and plans for 13 additional units to meet future needs.

These projects, attended by Supreme Court Justices including J.K. Maheshwari, P.S. Narasimha, Prashant Kumar Mishra, S.V.N. Bhatti, and Joymalya Bagchi, mark significant progress toward a self-sustaining judicial ecosystem.Why This Day MattersBy championing mediation alongside infrastructure growth, Andhra Pradesh addresses national challenges like case pendency while fostering innovation and equity. As CM Naidu noted, consensus-building can transform not just cities but society itself. This collaborative push between judiciary and government sets an inspiring benchmark.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the main theme of the Vijayawada symposium?
The event focused on promoting mediation as the cornerstone of justice, urging the judiciary to build a "mediation culture" to reduce court pendency.
2. Who attended the key events?
CJI Justice Surya Kant (chief guest), CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, AP High Court Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, and several Supreme Court Justices.
3. What incentives did CM Naidu announce for mediation?
₹10,000 for successful mediations and ₹3,000 for unsuccessful but good-faith attempts to encourage wider participation.
4. Where and what is the Andhra Pradesh Judicial Academy?
Located at Pitchikalapalem in Amaravati on 4.83 acres, it's a ₹165 crore training hub for judicial officers with academic blocks, hostels, and amenities.
5. What other judicial facilities were addressed in Amaravati?
Foundation stones for the High Court Guest House and Club; inauguration of the Judges’ Residential Enclave with future expansions planned.
6. Why did CM Naidu appeal for a National Judicial Academy in Amaravati?
To position Amaravati as India's premier "Justice City" with integrated institutions; the state pledged land allocation.
This historic day signals Andhra Pradesh's bold stride toward swift, citizen-centric justice—watch as Amaravati emerges as a national judicial powerhouse!