BRICS Ministers of Justice Meeting Adopts Declaration on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution

📌 Summary:

• Under India's BRICS 2026 Chairship, the BRICS Ministers of Justice adopted the "Declaration on Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through Capacity Building in Mediation and Arbitration" on 21 May 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• The Declaration was finalised by senior officials at a meeting on 19-20 May 2026 in Gandhinagar; it was steered by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice
• Ministers of Justice and delegations from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa and the UAE participated
• Key elements: strengthening capacity-building for government legal officers, mediators, arbitrators, judges and legal professionals through training; promoting institutional mediation and arbitration reforms to enhance accessibility, efficiency and enforceability of ADR; and cooperation on best practices, including digital tools
• The Declaration aims to make mediation and arbitration preferred dispute-resolution mechanisms, reducing the burden on courts and fostering a stable environment for trade and investment

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 (International Relations — BRICS groupings; and judiciary / ADR reform). India's BRICS Chairship and ADR cooperation link foreign policy with justice-delivery reform.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• India holds the BRICS Chairship for 2026
• BRICS members in the meeting: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa and the UAE
• The Declaration was adopted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Nodal body: Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice

🔑 Key Term: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) — mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration that resolve disputes outside traditional court litigation, improving speed, cost-efficiency and enforceability.