State Dispute

Resolution
Council-SDRC
TM

Appropriate Dispute Resolution

for Individuals, Families and
Businesses in India

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www.arbitrationhub.org
www.mediationhub.org
 The largest institutional dispute
resolution framework and an
alternative to court system in India.
 The conventional court system of India
today finds itself embroiled in a myriad of
structural and administrative issues. The
civil courts too are excessively over-

Resolve
burdened and under-resourced. Moreover
the delay in dispensation of justice, if at all
dispensed, causes a feeling of frustration,
humiliation and despondency.

Therefore, to bypass the rigmarole of

Disputes,
conventional justice system and to
formalize the concept of alternate dispute
resolution, the role of SDRC is imperative.
SDRC settlements and awards under the
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, bring
finality to disputes with binding settlement

without going
under the SDRC Rules.

With a mission to revive the revered

tradition of consensual dispute resolution
through the application of preventive,
restorative and meditative justice, FICM

to court.
has incorporated the “State Dispute
Resolution Council” in each state of India to
facilitate the process of ADR which is
lagging behind as most of Indian citizens
are not even aware of this consensual
approach for a legally binding solution.

INTRODUCTION
TM

Federation of Integrated
Conflict Management
 Our Mission
SDRC is the initiative of Federation of Integrated
Conflict Management - FICM, a non-profit
membership-based initiative serving individuals,
families, communities, trade and commerce. We
lead, promote and facilitate consensual and Leading, promoting and
collaborative dispute resolution system in each state facilitating mediation, med-
of India and are committed to providing practical, arbitration and other
accessible, and affordable choices to prevent, consensual dispute resolution
manage and resolve disputes. processes throughout India.

Our Mediator, Negotiator, Facilitator and Arbitrators

Rosters are a resource for the people and
organizations of each state to facilitate collaborative,
consensual dispute resolution. To help people

Our Vision
manage conflict well, SDRC works to raise
awareness and knowledge of consensual dispute
resolution processes and offer its resolution
services.

State Dispute
A civil society where mediation
With our enduring commitment to supporting a and other consensual and

Resolution
diverse community of consensual dispute resolution collaborative dispute
practitioners, we target initiatives to build our resolution processes are
community of practitioners and provide ongoing widely accepted and used.

Council-SDRC
TM
Appropriate Dispute Resolution
for Individuals, Families and
Businesses in India
professional development opportunities. We are a
central resource and support system for the ADR An organization that serves
professionals of each region in India. We train and the public interest and
educate the ADR professionals, from those who are supports a community of
starting out, to highly experienced veterans. mediators and other dispute
resolution practitioners.
 The SDRC project is largely self
funded with its own internal
accruals:
Fee from Dispute Resolution
Services
A major portion of our funds will
be derived from the receipt of
fee of our dispute resolution
services from individuals,
families and business
organizations.
Training Fees
The training and education fee
of SDRC comes from various
training and certificate courses
which the SDRC conducts for its
members, law students,
Funding
businesses, legal departments
etc. The courses range from
professional development
courses to conflict management
guide to businesses and
corporate.
ABOUT SDRC
Membership Fees
One of the small fund source of
SDRC is the annual and lifetime
fee which comes from SDRC
members. Members pay fee to be
a part of this initiative and gain
benefits as an ADR lawyer, Neutral,
Business owner, corporate counsel,
trainer, educator et all.
Fee from other tailored services
SDRC also charges fees for its
tailored services and dispute
resolution systems design
expertise.
To enhance it’s program reach, we
are open to receive grants and
donations from organizations that
support the cause of consensual
resolution of disputes. We can also
discuss with corporate oh how we
can enrich their CSR program with
lot of social and corporate
initiatives.

The SDRC services are offered to
three distinct groups -
Ÿ Individuals, Families and
Communities.
Ÿ Businesses, Corporate and
Trade/Industry Associations.
Ÿ Dispute Resolution Professionals &
the ADR Industry
Our combined service base
includes:
Ÿ Dispute Resolution services for
individuals, families and businesses
in each state;
Developing and Maintaining rosters
What
Ÿ processes, and introducing a
of Mediators, Conciliators and
Arbitrators;
Ÿ Training and development programs
for businesses and corporate;
Ÿ Ongoing professional development
we do
and other support for dispute
resolution professionals;
Ÿ Specialized dispute resolution
system design, research and advice;
Ÿ Dispute resolution information and
education for the public;
SDRC WORK
SDRC provides a range of dispute
resolution services and programs
for individuals, families and
organizations. The organization
develops and creates quality
benchmarks and monitoring to
support and develop capacity in
dispute resolution services in India
through the constitution of regional
dispute resolution councils. .
As an agent of change, SDRC is
committed to providing people with
practical, accessible, and affordable
choices to prevent, manage and
resolve disputes and to improve
access to justice by piloting new
problem solving approach to justice
system.
Our expertise and experience
includes a wide variety of dispute
resolution tools and processes. We
help people to choose the dispute
resolution approach that matches
their needs, including other
collaborative methods that preserve
and enhance relationships.
SDRC DISPUTE
RESOLUTION SYSTEM
FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES
 The State Dispute Resolution Council
is the initiative of FICM to resolve
most types of personal, family,
business and commercial disputes.
The process is administered and
conducted as per the FICM-SDRC
Rules and procedures.

It begins with an intake process,

where an applicant makes an
application for dispute resolution and
a dispute notice to participate in the

How it
consensual process is sent to all
respondents, and if the respondents
agree, it then moves through a The process has a series of
process of negotiation, mediation, stages -
conciliation and arbitration conducted
by the most respected and credible Ÿ Process Initiation

works?
dispute resolution professionals
Ÿ Assisted Negotiation
Although disputes may be Ÿ Mediation & Conciliation
resolved at any stage of the Ÿ Binding Arbitration
process.

SDRC DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM

 Start or respond to a dispute
SDRC Dispute Resolution process
can be initiated by any one side - an
individual, a family member or any
one commercial entity.
The parties who are in any kind of
contract may also enter into the
Initiate the
process by virtue of having an SDRC
dispute resolution, mediation, med-
arbitration clause in their contract.
Even if the contract does not provide
Dispute
for a SDRC clause or in case of
disputes between individuals, within
family, property or any other
community dispute, a party to a
dispute or both parties to a dispute
can initiate SDRC process of dispute
Resolution
resolution with mutual consent and
under the rules and procedures of
SDRC.
A party or both parties to the dispute
can initiate process by submitting a
Process
Form with details of dispute to SDRC,
so as to commence the process.
The Party initiating the process shall
pay the case registration fee of
INR2500 individually or jointly.
SDRC DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS
Once the submission is duly
made by one party, SDRC shall
issue an “Invitation to participate
in dispute resolution process” to
the other parties in the dispute,
intimating them about the
initiation of dispute resolution
process, its stages and
advantages.
With the participation of the other
party, the process starts and
proceeds to the fist stage of
assisted negotiation.
But in few cases, if the parties do
not respond or agree to
participate in the process with
some other motives even after
two reminders, the process ends
and a report in this regard is
submitted by the SDRC case
manager. This report is helpful for
parties who initiate the process, if
the case unfortunately gets in the
courts.)
If the other parties accept to
participate in the process, the
initial deposit of the negotiation/
mediator / conciliator / arbitrator
and administrative fee is made by
the parties as per the SDRC Fee
schedule.
 The first stage of the process
starts with an assisted
negotiation conducted by the
SDRC expert case managers
who are also skilled negotiators.
A quick and professionally
assisted negotiation with the help
of an expert negotiator will help
parties try to come to an
agreement between themselves.

Assisted
In many cases the disputes
settle at this stage itself.
Negotiation is often the easiest,
fastest, and cheapest way to
resolve a claim. If parties reach

negotiation
an agreement, their dispute is
over. The parties can turn their
agreement into an enforceable
order under the Arbitration and
Conciliation Act.

SDRC DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS

 The mediation, conciliation, facilitation or
arbitration stage in its order is mainly about
helping parties resolve their dispute with the help
of a professional Neutral selected from the rosters
of SDRC who is independently skilled,
experienced and qualified in the art and science
of mediation, conciliation, facilitation or arbitration.
The ADRC neutrals don’t take sides and facilitate
the process with creative solutions to both the
parties.

In over 90% of times this process settles the

issues and if the dispute and a binding settlement
agreement is drafted and signed by the parties as
per Sec.73 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act.

If the settlement fails at this stage, the parties get

into the next stage of binding arbitration.

Mediation &
If the settlement fails after the completion of
negotiation, mediation, conciliation process and
the parties are not willing to get into the next
stage of binding arbitration, SDRC shall prepare
the Status Report and give the same to the
Parties. This status report again helps parties

Conciliation
save time if parties decide to move the court
instead of getting into an arbitration process.

(Please note that rarely parties refuse arbitration

and decide to move court in their best interest)

SDRC DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS

 At this stage the parties make a choice of The case manager or
the arbitral tribunal or an independent the case handling team
arbitrator from the rosters who will consider at SDRC will usually
the evidence and the parties’ arguments help the parties to
and make a binding decision. The parties decide on which
will also make a choice of the arbitration arbitration process to
process as SDRC rules and procedures choose – out of
provide the options of expedited, single expedited arbitration and
sitting and full process arbitration other processes defined
proceedings as per the requirement of the in the rules and
case and / or the choice of the disputing procedures of SDRC.
parties. The case manager also
helps the parties in the
The arbitral tribunal or arbitrator will be choice of arbitrator and
chosen by the parties from the panel of or forming an arbitral
hundreds of skilled and qualified arbitrators tribunal.
for the arbitration process to be conducted
under the SDRC rules and procedures. The parties together
choose the plan and
SDRC will enroll the dispute for Arbitration process with a

Binding
at a venue closest to the parties. The consideration towards
arbitration award under its rules is final and time-lines, costs for
binding and can be enforced as if it were parties and the evidence
an order of the Court. and arguments the
parties want the tribunal
The date of receipt by SDRC of the member to consider.

Arbitration
Arbitration Submission Form, complete with
all the accompanying documentation and For more details or
the appropriate filing fee shall be treated as queries on initiating
the date on which the institutional SDRC dispute resolution
arbitration has commenced for all purposes process contact SDRC
under the SDRC Rules. Administrator.

SDRC DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS

Advantages If your goal is to reach a
resolution quickly and minimize
costs, collateral damage and
of the SDRC
risks, State Dispute Resolution
Council is the smart choice.
We give our clients wise
counsel, proactive guidance,
efficient dispute resolution
Dispute
intervention, designed with the
goal of “win-win” of parties in
dispute.
The main advantages include:
Resolution
Ÿ Cost and Time Efficient -
Efficient use of time and
money gives value to client.
Ÿ Relationships - Preserve
key business and personal
relationships.
System
Ÿ Prevention - Prevents
draining of resources and
emotions.
Ÿ Collaboration - Non-
adversarial by nature; with a
very minimal use of court
SDRC ADVANTAGE
FICM has a strong commitment
to the time and cost effective
conduct of cases. In its selection
process as well as in the
administration of the case, FICM
makes every effort to ensure that
its Neutrals in all of its dispute
resolution bodies share this
commitment.
Parties in dispute resolution
proceedings can draw upon a
growing member base of over
1,500 independent ADR
advocates, Neutrals and Experts
from every state of India. Each
member brings in a blend of
soulful modern world innovation,
experience and specialized skills
that ensure success for parties in
dispute.
SDRC MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the SDRC means becoming
part of a recognized community invested in
the work of creating a social fabric dedicated
to advancing appropriate and alternative
dispute resolution.
The flag bearer organization
for modern and consensual
approach to Dispute Resolution
Join SDRC
as a member
SDRC MEMBERSHIP
Be Part of a Regional initiative in your
state with National and International
Connections.
SDRC is regional state initiative of
FICM, a not-for-profit organization
established to provide national and
regional leadership in the promotion of
Alternative Dispute Resolution in India.
As a member of SDRC, you are
automatically a member of FICM and
benefit from its national and international
reputation as a Dispute resolution
organization.
As active practitioners, and those
interested in ADR approaches to our
lives and work, SDRC seeks to provide
membership options that span the
spectrum of interest and accreditation.
The SDRC membership is
mainly for two different sections
-
Ÿ The Providers of Dispute
Resolution Services, training
and development
Ÿ The Users and buyers of
Dispute Resolution services,
training and development

SDRC membership is for the lawyers who
belong to the modern world.
Who can
The Dispute Resolution Lawyers who bring
real, quick and lasting success to clients
with their combined skills of ADR Advocacy
along with conventional court options.
SDRC membership is also for the
be SDRC
businesses that use SDRC systems and
resources for prevention and resolution of
business commercial disputes.
Note: Admission as a FICM-SDRC
member is not a nomination to various
rosters, panels and councils. Members
Member
can nominate themselves to various
councils, lists, rosters or councils on the
basis of eligibility and all such nominations
have no cost for members. Such
nominations are also peer-vetted and by
invitation only.
SDRC MEMBERSHIP
Ÿ Lawyers/ Attorneys: Members of the bar
(any jurisdiction) including private practice
and in-house counsel
Ÿ Arbitrators & Mediators: Neutrals who
are qualified or have experience in any
one area of dispute resolution
Ÿ Judges / Government Officials: Former
Judges and other retired senior
government officials
Ÿ Academics: University level scholars
with a focus on dispute resolution and
conflict management
Ÿ Law Students: Students with an interest
in dispute resolution practice
Ÿ Corporate Executives: company
executives, investors and other
professionals who seek to prevent their
organizations from damaging conflicts
Ÿ Businesses of all size and scale who
seek effective dispute prevention and
resolution systems and resources
 With SDRC membership enhances your
professional profile. Becoming a
member of the SDRC provides
tremendous benefits, including:

Ÿ Members Profile published on

SDRC's online Directory
Ÿ Automatically become a member of
FICM and be listed in its national
directory
Ÿ Special member discounts for
various workshops, professional
development programs and training SDRC will actively promote
opportunities. Members are entitled professional members so that they
to special rates for training gain more visibility, reputation and

Why join
programs, seminars, certificate
courses on ADR organized by
associate national and international
institutions.
Ÿ Corporate or Life Member is
eligible to start an SDRC Centre in
hence more clients for representing
them in the dispute resolution
proceedings or if members are also
qualified neutrals, to also gain
mediation or arbitration appointments
as a mediator or arbitrator.

SDRC
a particular territory, as per the
approval of the Governing
Council.
Ÿ Publication: Members are invited to
submit blogs and articles to post on
FICM's website
The Panel is designed to provide
potential parties to mediation, access
to a nationwide panel of trained
professional mediators through this
leading membership body.

SDRC MEMBERSHIP
 Build your Accredited Members Profile through our online
FICM & SDRC directory and sections.

Membership provides you an opportunity to build one central

How to
profile to showcase all your affiliations, credentials and published
articles, journals, videos, awards and much more on the
organization website sections.

Make your announcements, updates and news through FICM-

SDRC Channels absolutely FREE

leverage
FICM is becoming the industry leading platform for anything in
dispute resolution and as a member you can demonstrate your
thought leadership by publishing your content (Articles, speaker
videos and other communications collateral on FICM website,
Newsletters and Magazines). Our internal editorial team helps our

membership
members in fine-tuning of articles that are good for publishing. We
look for innovative and creative ideas.

Features include: (i) articles covering all major dispute resolution

and arbitration rules and national jurisdictions written by respected
international practitioners and scholars, (ii) cutting edge notes

benefits
covering recent developments and ongoing debates in the field,
(iii) news and views of the members who are the heros on ground
to bring the much needed change (iv) Letters to the Editor and (v)
Updates from the FICM members and new developments,
introductions in the ecosystem. (vi) Interviews of leading
personalities in the domain (vii) Regional focus in each issue.

FOR SDRC MEMBERS

 Proposal for Regional
partnership opportunities like
“Regional SDRC Dispute
Resolution Center OR Arbitration
and Mediation Venue”.
These opportunities exist only for
members who have well equipped
resources to carry out work in their
specific regions. Normally
resources involve office
infrastructure and facilities to
operate as a Venue or a regional
Dispute Resolution Center.
Produce your own events in
partnership with FICM to target
your audience
Law firms and lawyers who are
organizing their own events can do
so in collaboration with FICM.
Market your event to a wider
How to leverage
audience, ensuring a better even
participation and generating desired
results from each event. If you have
the benefits
an event in mind, please talk to
Sonali Singh at
sonali@mediationhub.in
FOR SDRC MEMBERS
Grow your influence
Nominate yourself for the FICM council’s
leadership and grow your influence to a larger
audience in the legal, business and government
sectors. Please share your interest in joining
one of our leadership councils to Simren Soni at
simren@mediationhub.in
Access to our publications
Our publications provides periodic coverage of
national and international developments in the
world of Dispute Resolution, arbitration,
mediation and other new procedures. The
publications aims to maintain balance between
academic debate and practical contributions to
the field, providing both relevant material on
current developments and analytical learning of
permanent interest.
Use of FICM-SDRC Logo
Ÿ Use FICM-SDRC logo on your website or
other online properties
Ÿ Use the logo on the footer of your email
Ÿ Use the logo on visiting cards and letter
heads
 Name of the Member Name of the Member
Name of the Member Sub-Title / Designation
Sub-Title / Designation Sub-Title / Designation

Name of Tribunal Name of Tribunal

Name of Tribunal
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or two lines or two lines

City, Country City, Country

City, Country
Link to Online Profile & Details Link to Online Profile & Details
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Name of the Member Name of the Member Name of the Member

Sub-Title / Designation Sub-Title / Designation Sub-Title / Designation

Name of Tribunal Name of Tribunal Name of Tribunal

Brief few words in few characters Brief few words in few characters Brief few words in few characters
or two lines or two lines or two lines

City, Country City, Country City, Country

Link to Online Profile & Details Link to Online Profile & Details Link to Online Profile & Details

Name of the Member Name of the Member Name of the Member

Sub-Title / Designation Sub-Title / Designation Sub-Title / Designation

Name of Tribunal Name of Tribunal Name of Tribunal

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or two lines or two lines or two lines

City, Country City, Country City, Country

Link to Online Profile & Details Link to Online Profile & Details Link to Online Profile & Details

Leaders & Advisory Board

ABOUT SDRC
 About Federation of Integrated
Conflict Management
Governed, managed and funded
by its own structure created by
members and users - Federation
of Integrated Conflict
Management is evolving
ecosystem of dispute resolution
for the modern connected world -
a truly neutral and independent
transnational dispute resolution
resource - with path breaking
systems that will transform the
way disputes are resolved.
TM
Become a part of the FICM universe.
Home to over 1500+ dispute resolution professionals coming
from over 50 countries, FICM is the largest dispute resolution
membership organization in the world - leading the global
institutional ecosystem of dispute resolution for the
modern world.
Our goal is to provide members with accessible, relevant and
cutting-edge information, practice tips and skill-building
opportunities.
Anyone interested in the subject of dispute resolution or who
is providing dispute resolution services or is seeking dispute
resolution system and resources, can be the member of
FICM. Eligible members can further nominate to our various
Rosters, Panels, Councils and other such bodies for
professional development and increasing client
opportunities.

Federation of Integrated
Conflict Management

One World, One Organization

www.arbitrationhub.org

www.houseofjustice.org
www.arbitrationhub.org
www.mediationhub.org