'Mediation Has That Magic': Gujarat High Court Remarks After 10-Year-Old Dispute Gets Resolved In Two Mediation Sittings

The Gujarat High Court on Monday (October 6) closed a Section 37 appeal filed under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act pertaining to a 10-year dispute which was referred to mediation and was amicably resolved in two sittings. 

Disposing of the appeal, the court, while lauding the efforts of the mediator, also orally remarked that "mediation has that magic". 

A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice DN Ray had on July 29 referred the matter for mediation to the high court's 'Med-Arb. Centre' after noting that an attempt be made by the parties for reconciliation. The appeal was filed before the high court challenging a 2015 arbitral award. 

During the hearing today the counsel for the defendant submitted, "We are grateful to your lordships. Lordships had referred us to the mediation centre. It is settled within two sittings. A dispute of more than 10 years...third sitting they signed the consent terms".

To this the court orally remarked,"Great information. This is very encouraging news. We are very happy". 

Perusing the report of the Med-Arb centre, the court while dictating its order, noted that an amicable settlement has been arrived between parties through the efforts of the mediator and the consent terms have been drawn and signed on September 22. 

The court thus disposed of the appeal in terms of the agreement arrived at between the parties. 

At this stage, the counsel for the defendant again thanked the high court and said that on the day the matter was referred to mediation by the high court they were not that hopeful as the matter had already been referred to mediation once earlier. 

To this the court orally remarked, "Mediation has that magic. There is a saying if you keep on trying you will get solution one day. And mediation gives you that". 

Case title: GHK HOSPITALITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE LTD. v/s PSP PROJECTS LTD. 

R/FA/1338/2025