**Executive Summary**
Under India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship, the "Declaration of the Ministers of Justice of the BRICS Countries on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through Capacity Building in Mediation and Arbitration" was adopted on 21 May 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The document outlines a collective commitment to expanding mediation and arbitration frameworks to reduce court burdens and stabilize trade environments. Key future actions include the operationalization of collaborative projects and capacity-building initiatives across member nations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**The Declaration and Participation**
* Adopted by Ministers of Justice from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
* The agreement was finalized by senior officials during meetings held on 19–20 May 2026.
* The document reflects a shared vision to establish mediation and arbitration as preferred mechanisms for dispute resolution.
**Capacity Building and Training**
* Focuses on strengthening initiatives for diverse stakeholders, including judges, mediators, arbitrators, government legal officers, and legal professionals.
* Calls for the implementation of specialized training programmes to enhance professional expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
**Institutional Reforms and Innovation**
* Aims to promote reforms that improve the accessibility, efficiency, and enforceability of ADR processes.
* Encourages the integration of digital tools and innovation within ADR frameworks.
* Emphasizes the sharing of knowledge and best practices among BRICS member states.
**Strategic Goals**
* Reducing the heavy burden on traditional court systems across member countries.
* Fostering a more stable and predictable environment for international trade and investment.
* Operationalizing the Declaration’s commitments through follow-up initiatives and collaborative projects.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Legal Professionals (Judges, Mediators, Arbitrators, and Legal Officers)**
**Impact**
These stakeholders will benefit from enhanced professional skills and standardized training as ADR becomes a primary dispute resolution mechanism.
**Action Required**
Engage in newly developed training programmes and adopt digital tools and innovative practices in mediation and arbitration.
**Stakeholder: BRICS Member Governments and Departments of Legal Affairs**
**Impact**
Member states are responsible for driving institutional reforms and facilitating international cooperation on legal frameworks.
**Action Required**
Implement the Declaration’s commitments through follow-up initiatives and collaborative projects to operationalize ADR reforms.
**Stakeholder: Trade and Investment Sector**
**Impact**
Businesses and investors will operate in a more stable environment with access to faster, more effective dispute resolution processes.
**Action Required**
Utilize ADR mechanisms, such as mediation and arbitration, as the preferred method for resolving commercial disputes to ensure efficiency.
Key Entities Referenced
Declaration of the Ministers of Justice of the BRICS Countries on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through Capacity Building in Mediation and Arbitration: A policy document reflecting a shared commitment among BRICS nations to expand mediation and arbitration through institutional reforms and capacity-building initiatives.
BRICS: An intergovernmental group whose member nations' Ministers of Justice adopted a collective vision to enhance Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms to reduce court burdens.
Department of Legal Affairs: The specific department under the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, responsible for implementing the declaration's commitments and operationalizing ADR reforms.
Gandhinagar, Gujarat: The host location for the 2026 BRICS Ministers of Justice meeting where the declaration was finalized and adopted.
Ministry of Law and Justice
BRICS MINISTERS OF JUSTICE MEETING ON
STRENGTHENING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE
RESOLUTION THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING
IN MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION
Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 7:23PM by PIB Delhi
Under India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship, the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice,
Government of India, announces that the “Declaration of the Ministers of Justice of the BRICS Countries
on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through Capacity Building in Mediation and Arbitration”
was adopted today, 21 May 2026, at the meeting of the Hon’ble Ministers of Justice held in Gandhinagar,
Gujarat.
The Declaration, which was finalised by senior officials at a Senior Officials’ Meeting held on 19–20 May
2026 in Gandhinagar and agreed in principle by representatives from BRICS countries, reflects a shared
commitment to expand mediation and arbitration across member countries. Ministers of Justice from
Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates,
together with delegations, participated in the meeting.
Key elements of the Declaration include strengthening capacity building initiatives for stakeholders
including Government Legal Officers, Mediators, Arbitrators, Judges, and Legal Professionals through
training programmes; promoting institutional mediation and arbitration reforms to enhance accessibility,
efficiency, and enforceability of ADR processes; encouraging cooperation and knowledge-sharing on best
practices, including use of digital tools and innovation in ADR.
The adoption of this Declaration underscores BRICS members’ collective vision to make mediation and
arbitration more accessible and effective as preferred mechanisms for resolving disputes, thereby reducing
burden on courts and fostering a stable environment for trade and investment.
The Department of Legal Affairs welcomes continued cooperation among BRICS partners to implement
the Declaration’s commitments, and looks forward to follow-up initiatives and collaborative projects that
will operationalise capacity building and institutional reforms in ADR.***
Samrat/Pranab
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