Archive · 27 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Judge Balances Mediation and Adjudication in Family Disputes
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan spoke about how family disagreements should be handled.
He said family cases are different because parents may still need to work together after separating.
This is especially important when children need care from both parents.
A judge can make legal decisions about custody or money.
However, parents may still need to communicate about school, health and the child’s future.
Mediation lets the people involved work out an agreement with help from a neutral mediator.
But mediation is not suitable for every case.
Courts must protect people facing violence, fear, pressure or unfair financial dependence.
The main goal is to protect children and reach a fair and workable solution.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said family disputes differ from commercial cases because relationships often continue after court proceedings.
He said adjudication remains essential when disputes involve violence, coercion, intimidation or serious wrongdoing.
Mediation can help families address communication, financial security, child access and other issues beyond legal rights.
Justice Bhuyan cautioned that mediation must not be treated as an automatic solution or imposed settlement.
He stressed that courts must protect children’s welfare and dignity while encouraging appropriate opportunities for settlement.
- Who
- Supreme Court Judge Ujjal Bhuyan addressed the issue.
- What
- He discussed the roles of alternative dispute resolution, especially mediation, and court adjudication in family disputes.
- When
- The remarks were reported on September 27; the article identifies the day as Sunday but gives no year.
- Where
- At the Eastern Zone Regional Conference in Guwahati.
- Why
- Family disputes often involve continuing relationships and children, while violence, coercion or serious wrongdoing may require court protection.
Mediation Emphasis
Adjudication Safeguards
Best way to resolve family disputes
Mediation Emphasis
Mediation can help parties address underlying problems such as communication, financial insecurity and access to children, while allowing them to create an arrangement themselves.
Adjudication Safeguards
A court judgment is necessary to determine legal rights and obligations, particularly when parties cannot safely or freely negotiate.
Role of courts
Mediation Emphasis
Courts should create opportunities for conciliation and settlement where circumstances permit, consistent with the purpose of the Family Courts Act.
Adjudication Safeguards
Courts cannot simply expect compromise where allegations of violence, coercion, intimidation or serious wrongdoing require protection.
Limits of settlement
Mediation Emphasis
A mutually constructed agreement may better support continuing parental relationships after divorce or separation.
Adjudication Safeguards
Mediation must not become an automatic solution or an imposed settlement, especially where one party faces fear, abuse or economic dependence.
- Speaker
- Supreme Court Judge Ujjal Bhuyan
- Event
- Eastern Zone Regional Conference on “ADR vs Adjudication in Family Disputes: Challenges and Way Forward”
- Location
- Guwahati
- Core position
- Adjudication has an important and irreplaceable role in family disputes.
- Mediation’s role
- Mediation helps parties communicate and develop arrangements they are willing to accept and follow.
- Safety limitation
- Settlement should not be pursued through pressure, fear, economic dependence or unequal relationships.
- Child-related issues
- Custody, visitation, maintenance and education can require repeated interaction between parents.