Now, litigants can take a pleasant shortcut to settle their minor civil disputes, as a centre for mediation is being launched in Bangalore under the name Bangalore Mediation Centre (BMC).  
Being established by Karnataka High Court with technical co-operation of Institute for Study and Development of Legal Systems, San Francisco, it is the first centre to be set up in the state and third in the country.
High Court judge and BMC president Justice S R Bannurmath said at a press conference on Tuesday that BMC would provide mediation services in petty cases, possible to be resolved with a little intervention.  Judges can refer any such cases pending before them to BMC, housed in the new court building in city, `Nyaya Degula,’ to be opened on June 21.
Over 57 experienced advocates, now specially trained to mediate, would render voluntary service as mediators. ``It would save time and money. Mediators will vent parties’ mutual dislikes by patient listening and facilitate a harmonious settlement. Then the settlement will be converted into a decree by the court concerned,’’ he said.
However, if mediation efforts fail for sixty days, the case will be referred back to court. Partition suits, matrimonial cases, money suits and the like can be easily settled.
``Unlike courts, Bangalore Mediation Centre  would not stress on law and procedure, but will focus on parties’ interest,’’ he said adding that its motto was `Peace Making Through Mediation.’
``Once the centre catches pace, the burden on courts will be reduced, leaving them free to deal with complicated cases involving questions of law,’’ Justice Bannurmath said adding that experimental mediation sessions had shown 47 per cent success rate.