MEDIATION RULES OF THE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION AND

MEDIATION CENTRE, HYDERABAD

Rule 1: Introduction & Applicability

1.1. These Rules shall be referred to as the Mediation Rules of the International Arbitration
and Mediation Centre, Hyderabad (“IAMC Mediation Rules”) and is hereafter
referred to as such or as “these Rules”.

1.2. These Rules shall come into force on 18th December 2021.

1.3. These IAMC Rules comprise the Rules and the Schedules as are from time to time
amended by the IAMC. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the version of the Rules that
shall apply in a mediation shall be the version in force on the date the request for
mediation is made by a party.

1.4. If there is a conflict between these Rules and a law that applies in respect of a mediation,
these Rules shall apply except to the extent that they conflict with any provision of law
that cannot be varied or excluded by agreement.

1.5. IAMC may from time to time issue practice notes and guidelines to supplement,
regulate and implement these Rules.

1.6. References to “IAMC” are to the Governing Council of IAMC or any other body or
person designated by it (including the Registrar) to perform the functions referred to
herein. The functions of the Registrar shall be performed under the supervision of the
Governing Council by the Registrar or any Deputy Registrar.

1.7. References to “communication” mean delivery, transmission or notification of a written

communication by hand, registered post, courier service, facsimile, email or other
means of telecommunication that provides a record of transmission.

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1.8. All communications to the IAMC from any party, authorized representative of a party
shall be addressed to the Registrar, and shall also be copied to all other parties, save for
information covered under Rule 7.4.

1.9. Any written communication shall be deemed to have been received if it is delivered: (i)
to the addressee personally or to its authorized representative; (ii) to the addressee’s
habitual residence, place of business or designated address; (iii) to any address agreed
by the parties; (iv) according to the practice of the parties in prior dealings; (v) sent to
the email address provided by the parties to the IAMC for purposes of correspondence
or communications; or (vi) if, after reasonable efforts, none of these can be found, then
at the addressee’s last-known residence or place of business.

Rule 2: Definitions

2.1. In these Rules the following expressions shall have the meaning ascribed to them:

Governing Council shall mean the Governing Council of IAMC and includes a sub-
committee of the Governing Council.

IAMC or the Centre means the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre,
Hyderabad.

Mediation, whether referred to as mediation, conciliation or an expression of similar

import, means a voluntary process, in which a third party, namely, a mediator,
facilitates communication between the parties and assists them in reaching an
agreement for resolution of their disputes. The mediator neither adjudicates nor records
any finding and does not have the authority to impose on the parties any view or
decision or solution suggested by her.

Mediator means a person registered as a mediator on the Panel of Mediators of the

Centre or a person appointed or agreed to by the parties to conduct the mediation. Where
the parties agree to the appointment of more than one mediator for a mediation, a

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 reference to a mediator under these Rules shall mean a reference to all the mediators so
appointed.

Participant means any person other than the parties to the mediation and the mediator,
who may be present at the request of one or all parties.

Party means persons who are parties to the disputes, and includes persons whose
agreement is necessary for the resolution of the disputes in mediation.

Registrar means the Registrar of the IAMC and includes any Deputy Registrar.

Secretariat means the Secretariat of the IAMC.

2.2. Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular shall include the plural and
vice versa.

2.3. A reference to a gender includes all other genders.

2.4. Words not defined in these Rules shall be understood as per their ordinary English
meaning.

Rule 3: Application

3.1 These Rules shall apply to mediations administered by the Centre.

3.2 Parties to a dispute may agree to resolve their disputes by mediation under an agreement
in writing executed prior to the disputes arising, or after the disputes have arisen
between them, in each case referred to in these Rules as ‘an agreement to mediate’.

3.3 A party or parties may submit a request for mediation under these Rules pursuant to an
agreement to mediate, whether or not such agreement provides for mediation under
these Rules.

3.4 Even in the absence of an agreement to mediate, a party may submit a request for
mediation under these Rules.

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3.5 A court, tribunal or other judicial or statutory authority may refer a dispute for
mediation to the Centre.

3.6 Where a request for mediation is made by one, some, or all the parties to an agreement
to mediate, such request shall contain the following particulars:

a. the names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and electronic mail
addresses of all the parties to the dispute including the parties making the request
for mediation; and,

b. a brief statement describing the nature and circumstances of the dispute and the
value of the subject matter in dispute;

Such request shall be accompanied by (a) copy of the agreement to mediate; (b) proof
of payment of the requisite filing fee; and (c) proof of service of the mediation request
on the other party/ies to the dispute.

3.7 Where a request for mediation is made by a party in the absence of an agreement to
mediate, it shall contain the particulars mentioned in Rule 3.6 and shall be accompanied
by proof of payment of the requisite filing fee and proof of service of the mediation
request on the other party/ies to the dispute.

3.8 Upon receipt of a request for mediation of disputes under these Rules, including on a
reference under Rule 3.5, the Centre shall register such request/ reference, and issue
notice to all the parties of the registration of such request/ reference. This notice shall
set a date and invite all the parties to attend an initial meeting before the Centre. At this
meeting, the Centre shall inform the parties about the process of mediation and assist
them on the actions to be taken for the appointment of a mediator and the scheduling
of further mediation sessions following such appointment. In the case of a reference
under Rule 3.5, the notice shall also request the parties to pay in equal parts the
applicable filing fee, and to provide in writing the information set out in Rule 3.6 above.

3.9 If the request for mediation under these Rules is made by a party: (a) in the absence of
an agreement to mediate; or (b) in the absence of an agreement to mediate the disputes

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 under these Rules, the Centre shall, together with the notice send a copy of these Rules,
and invite the other party or parties to attend an initial session of mediation before the
Centre in accordance with these Rules.

3.10 The party/ies to whom a notice is issued under Rule 3.9 (in a case where there is no
agreement to mediate), may decline to participate in the initial mediation session, or
opt out of the mediation process, after the initial mediation session.

3.11 The Centre shall, following a request for mediation under these Rules, provide guidance
and assistance to the parties with respect to the mediation process, the role of the
mediator in a mediation and the benefits of resolution through mediation. The Centre
shall also assist the parties in entering into an agreement to mediate where one does not
exist prior to the request made by a party to the Centre for mediation.

Rule 4: Appointment of Mediator

4.1 The parties may choose a mediator from the panel of mediators maintained by the
Centre, if they have not already agreed upon a mediator.

4.2 The parties may request a change of the mediator from the Centre’s panel of mediators,
within 3 days following the initial mediation session under Rule 3.9. In that event, the
parties may decide upon a mediator from the panel of mediators maintained by the
Centre, if they have not otherwise agreed upon a mediator.

4.3 Where the parties are unable to agree upon a mediator within a period of three weeks
from the date of request for mediation under Rule 3 above, the Centre shall nominate a
mediator from its panel of mediators.

4.4 In nominating a mediator, the Centre shall consider such person’s language, skills,
qualifications and expertise, in relation to the nature of the disputes.

4.5 When a person is nominated as a mediator, that person shall make such enquiry as may
be reasonably necessary, and disclose in writing any circumstances or potential
circumstances, that may constitute a conflict of interest or is likely to give rise to

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 justifiable doubts as to the person’s independence or neutrality. The person nominated
as mediator shall also confirm her ability to provide the time necessary for mediation
of the disputes.

4.6 From the time of appointment and during the mediation proceeding, the mediator shall,
without delay, disclose to the parties in writing any circumstances or potential
circumstances present, or that newly arises, that may constitute a conflict of interest.

4.7 On the basis of a disclosure under Rules 4.6 above: (a) the mediator may withdraw from
the mediation by writing to this effect; or (b) any party may request withdrawal of the
nomination, and for nomination of another mediator from the panel of mediators of the
Centre, upon which the provisions of Rules 4.1, and 4.3 to 4.6 shall apply.

4.8 From the time of their appointment, the mediator appointed to a dispute shall follow the
Code of Conduct set out in the First Schedule to these Rules.

4.9 If the parties request for more than one mediator to act as mediators, the Centre shall
appoint such mediators.

Rule 5: Commencement of Mediation

5.1 The mediation shall commence on the date when a request for mediation is made to the
Centre under these Rules by a party, under an agreement to mediate. The mediation
shall commence, in all other cases, on the date of the first mediation session.

Rule 6: Conduct of Mediation

6.1 The mediator shall conduct the mediation in accordance with Part III of the Arbitration
and Conciliation Act, 1996 if applicable, or under any other applicable law, and in
accordance with the terms of reference, if any, made at the time of a reference to
mediation under Rule 3.5.

6.2 In the absence of an agreement between the parties on these aspects, the mediator, in
consultation with the parties and based on their convenience, may organize the

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 mediation sessions at the Centre, or other physical venue, or online, or in a hybrid mode
with the sessions being conducted physically as well as online, or with some parties and
the mediator present physically and others joining online.

6.3 The mediator shall facilitate communications, discussions and negotiations between the
parties, to enable them to understand the issues and reach a settlement of their disputes.

6.4 A settlement at mediation is voluntary and the parties alone are responsible for taking
decisions on the settlement in the mediation.

6.5 Upon commencement of the mediation, parties shall not approach any court or
competent authority with respect to the issues forming the subject matter of the
mediation, except for the purposes of obtaining any interim orders or measures that may
be necessary to secure, protect or preserve the rights of one or more of the parties.

6.6 The mediator shall not act as an arbitrator, judicial authority, representative or counsel
of a party in any subsequent arbitration or judicial proceedings in respect of the disputes
mediated by her.

6.7 The mediator may, with the consent of all the parties and at their cost, obtain the advice
or assistance of any experts on any matter in issue in the disputes.

6.8 The mediator may invite as a party to the mediation, any person who is interested in
any or all of the issues in relation to the disputes or in its settlement, with consent of all
parties and of the new party concerned.

6.9 The mediator may meet with the parties in both joint and separate sessions. Separate
sessions with one or some of the parties may be scheduled by the mediator if requested
by the parties, or when considered necessary by the mediator.

6.10 The place of the mediation shall be as designated by the parties in the agreement to
mediate. In the absence of a place being indicated in the agreement to mediate, the

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 parties may agree in writing to the place of the mediation, failing which the place of the
mediation shall be Hyderabad, India.

Rule 7: Confidentiality

7.1 Unless permitted by the parties and the mediator, no person other than the parties, their
representatives, their advisors, and the mediator may attend the mediation.

7.2 There shall be no transcript or formal recording of the mediation, save for (i) a record
of the conduct of mediation sessions and the persons participating in such sessions, and
(ii) record of any settlement agreement.

7.3 Save as provided under any law governing the parties or the mediation, each of the
mediator, the parties, participants in the mediation, and the Centre and its officers who
are responsible for the management of the mediation process, shall keep confidential
the following matters relating to the mediation proceedings:

(i) acknowledgements, disclosures, opinions, suggestions, promises, proposals,

apologies and admissions made during the mediation;
(ii) acceptance of or willingness to accept proposals made or exchanged in the
mediation;
(iii) documents prepared solely for the purpose of the mediation;
(iv) an invitation by a party to mediate, a party's willingness or refusal to mediate a
dispute; and
(v) any settlement agreement arrived at in mediation unless disclosure is required
pursuant to any law or in order to enforce the rights of one or more of the parties.

7.4 When a party or participant in the mediation gives any information to the mediator
subject to a specific condition that it be kept confidential, the mediator shall not disclose
that information to the other parties and the participants.

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Rule 8: Admissibility; Privilege against Disclosure; Discovery

8.1 Subject to any law for the time being in force, no party or participant in the mediation
shall in any proceedings before a court, tribunal or other authority, rely on or introduce
as evidence any information or communication set forth in clauses (i) to (iv) of Rule
7.3 above, or call upon the mediator, participants, including experts and advisors
engaged for the purpose of the mediation, and the Centre and its officers involved in
the administration of the mediation, to disclose such information.

Provided that evidence or information that is otherwise admissible or subject to

discovery in proceedings shall not become inadmissible or protected from discovery
solely by reason of its disclosure or use in a mediation.

8.2 The Centre may compile or disclose general information concerning matters that have
gone to mediation, for research, reporting or training purposes. Such information shall
not identify parties or the specific disputes in the mediation.

Rule 9: Termination of Mediation

9. The mediation proceeding shall be terminated:

(a) upon the execution of a written agreement by the parties;

(b) by the mediator communicating in writing to the parties that the mediation has been
terminated;

(c) by any party or parties to the mediation in writing, addressed to the Centre, the other
party/parties and the mediator, withdrawing from the mediation;

(d) by the Centre in writing to the parties that the mediation has been terminated for the
reason that a payment by one or more parties pursuant to the Rules has not been made
for more than 15 days after the due date for payment; or,

(e) in a reference to mediation made in a pending arbitration or judicial proceeding, on

the expiry of the period specified (or extended) by the arbitral tribunal, court or judicial
authority.

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Rule 10: Settlement Agreement

10.1 A settlement agreement following mediation under these Rules arrived at between the
parties shall be recorded in writing and signed by the parties to such settlement, by
following the procedure laid down in section 73 of the Arbitration and Conciliation
Act,1996. Such a settlement agreement will have the status and effect stated in section
74 of the said Act. Where the mediation is in pursuance of a reference by a court,
tribunal or judicial authority, the settlement will be submitted to the referring authority,
and will be subject to the decision of such authority.

10.2 A settlement agreement may be recorded in the form of an electronic record and be
signed by electronic signatures.

10.3 It shall be the responsibility of parties to the settlement agreement to stamp and/or
register any settlement agreement and otherwise comply with applicable law as may
be necessary to give effect to the settlement agreement.

10.4 Where any settlement agreement has been reached, the mediator shall promptly notify
the Centre of the same and provide the Centre with a copy of such agreement for its
record.

10.5 The Centre may at the request of one or all of the parties authenticate or attest the
settlement agreement as one arising from mediation administered under these Rules
by the Centre.

Rule 11: Fees and Costs

11.1 The requesting party/parties shall deposit with the Centre, a sum calculated and
demanded by the Secretariat of the Centre including:
A. a non-refundable filing fee of Rs. 5,000;
B. amounts to cover the administrative fees of the Centre as set out in the Second
Schedule;

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 C. the mediator’s fees for three sessions as set out in Second Schedule as
applicable to the disputes; and,
D. such other expenses of the Centre and the mediator, as set out in the Second
Schedule or as may be notified by the Centre from time to time.
E. On commencement of the mediation, if the Registrar is of the view that further
deposits are required, or if the mediation sessions exceed the number for which the
deposit has been made, the requesting party/ies shall make a further deposit as
required by the Secretariat, subject to final accounting.

11.2 Any other expenditure incurred by the respective parties in respect of the mediation
shall remain the responsibility of that party, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

11.3 All costs of the mediation, including the fees of the mediator and the fees and expenses
of the Centre shall be borne equally by the parties unless otherwise directed by a
judicial authority or arbitral tribunal, or agreed by all the parties.

Rule 12: Indemnity

12 The mediators, any expert appointed to assist the mediation, the IAMC and its employees,
the Registrar and its members and any staff retained by the IAMC shall not be liable to
any party howsoever for any act or omission in connection with any mediation save: (i)
where the act or omission is shown by that party to constitute conscious and deliberate
wrongdoing committed by the body or person alleged to be liable to that party; (ii) where,
in the case of the mediator, there is egregious breach of any terms of the Code of Conduct
for Mediators (enumerated in the First Schedule) on the part of such mediator; or (iii) to
the extent that any part of this provision is shown to be prohibited by any applicable law.

Rule 13: Jurisdiction

13 Any party agreeing to mediation under or in accordance with the IAMC Rules irrevocably
agrees that the courts of Hyderabad, India shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and
decide any action, suit or proceedings between that party and the IAMC (including its
officers, members and employees), the Governing Council, any mediator, and/or any
expert appointed, which may arise out of or in connection with any such mediation and,

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for these purposes, each party irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of
Hyderabad, India.

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 FIRST SCHEDULE

IAMC CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEDIATORS

1. The mediator shall—

(a) inform the parties about the process of mediation and in particular explain to the parties
that the mediation is voluntary and the discussions in the mediation are confidential as
provided in the IAMC Mediation Rules, before beginning the mediation process. The mediator
shall explain the scope and extent of confidentiality provided in any private session that the
mediator holds with a party;

(b) ensure that all parties understand the nature of the process of mediation and the particular
role of the mediator;

(c) at the outset of the mediation process, fully disclose and explain the basis of fees and
charges under the IAMC Mediation Rules to the parties;

(d) act with impartiality, neutrality and integrity and treat the parties fairly;

(e) inform the parties that the outcome of the mediation will only be determined by what is
mutually agreed between/among the parties;

(f) ensure that the parties are aware of their rights to each obtain independent advice
(including legal advice) either during the mediation process or prior to signing any mediated
settlement;

(g) at the request of all the parties, make proposals/suggestions to resolve the dispute/s, but
informing the parties that it shall be for the parties to decide whether or not to accept such
proposals suggestions;

(h) declare/disclose to the parties, any actual or potential conflict of interest arising (or
becoming known to her) during the course of the mediation, which the parties should be aware
or ought reasonably to be aware and, having so declared, shall, unless the parties agree to
their continuing to act as the mediator, cease to act as the mediator; and

(i) complete the mediation as expeditiously as is practicable having regard to the nature of the
dispute and the need for the parties to have sufficient time to consider the issues.

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2. The mediator shall not in any circumstances:

(i) render any ‘decision’ or make any ruling or record any finding in respect of the
dispute/s; or

(ii) impose any terms of settlement on the parties; or

(iii) give any assurance that the mediation shall result in a settlement.

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 SECOND SCHEDULE

A. One-time Administration Fee payable to the Centre

Sum in Dispute (INR) IAMC Administration Fee

(INR)
Up to Rs.50 lakhs 20,000
5,000,001 to 10,000,000 30,000
10,000,001 to 50,000,000 40,000
50,000,001 to 100,000,000 50,000
100,000,001 to 500,000,000 75,000
Above 500,000,000 1,00,000

B. Mediator(s) Fees: The fee of the mediator per session of up to three hours (except
the initial meeting referred to in Rule 3.8) shall be as set out in the table below:

S. Amount/ value in dispute Fee per session

No.

1 Up to Rs. 5 crores Rs.7,500

2 Rs. 5 crores and above Rs.20,000

C. Additionally, some senior expert mediators have offered to conduct mediations

governed by IAMC Mediation Rules. If the parties decide to have a mediation with the
assistance of such mediators, the mediation fee will be based on rates charged by such
mediator.

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Notes forming part of this Schedule

1. Administration Fee does not include (a) the usage cost of facilities and support services
for and in connection with any hearing (e.g. hearing rooms, photocopiers, telephone,
internet services, interpretation services etc.).

2. The Mediator’s Fee as per the above Schedule is for a single mediator. If the parties
request the services of more than one mediator, the parties shall pay each mediator fees
as per the above Schedule.
3. If a Hyderabad based mediator is required to travel out of Hyderabad, or a mediator
based outside Hyderabad appointed by the parties is required to travel to Hyderabad for
physical mediation, her travel, accommodation and out of pocket expenses shall be
charged to the parties on ‘actuals’ basis.

4. Taxes shall be charged separately, as applicable.

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