Justice BV Nagarathna Calls for Mandatory Mediation Before Family Court Cases
Last Updated on April 14, 2025 by Shianjany Pradhan
At a regional conference in Bengaluru, Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna emphasized the need for mandatory pre-litigation mediation in family disputes.
She noted that early intervention through trained mediators or retired judges can prevent the emotional and legal escalation often caused by formal court proceedings.
Justice Nagarathna highlighted the changing dynamics of Indian families, driven by social shifts like women’s empowerment.
She encouraged society to embrace these changes and foster empathy, understanding, and self-awareness within relationships to avoid conflict.
Citing data that nearly 40% of recent marriages end in separation or divorce, she warned of the growing burden on Family Courts and the rise of “package litigations”—multiple legal cases stemming from a single dispute.
She concluded by calling for better use of mediation and limited legal intervention, stating: “At the end of the day, a loving family should find everything forgivable.”
