Mumbai News: BITS Law School, Ahmadi Foundation Launch Justice A.M. Ahmadi Gold Medal For Excellence In ADR

Mumbai’s BITS Law School has partnered with Ahmadi Foundation to institute Justice A.M. Ahmadi gold medal for excellence in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The medal will honour former chief justice of India (CJI) Justice Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi’s pioneering contributions to ADR.

BITS Law School, running under the aegis of BITS Pilani, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ahmadi Foundation to institute ‘Justice A.M. Ahmadi Gold Medal for Excellence’ in ADR. Justice A.M. Ahmadi was the 26th chief justice of India from 1994 to 1997 and was one of the most respected figures in the Indian legal judiciary. His career began in the district courts of Ahmedabad and culminated in the nation’s highest judicial office.

According to BITS Law School, the annual award will be open to students of the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programmes at the college. The medal will be conferred upon a graduating student who has demonstrated academic excellence in ADR, mediation, and allied courses, and who also embodies Justice Ahmadi’s ideals of timely, humane, and accessible justice.

Prof. Dr. Ashish Bharadwaj, founding dean of BITS Law School, said, “This MoU is a commitment to creating meaningful ways for students and future lawyers to engage with and reflect upon the values that Justice A.M. Ahmadi stood for. This association will be embedded in BITS Law School's journey, aligning seamlessly with its core values. Beyond the gold medal, this partnership envisions a broader scope, including research projects, short courses on landmark judgments, and impactful legal aid initiatives.”

Insiyah Vahanvaty, trustee of Ahmadi Foundation, said, “The Ahmadi Foundation is honoured by this recognition of Justice Ahmadi’s pioneering role in advancing ADR in India. Justice Ahmadi believed justice must be both accessible and efficient, viewing ADR as essential to that vision. We remain grateful to BITS Law School for this thoughtful tribute, for upholding and advancing this legacy, and we look forward to supporting the next generation of legal minds who will carry these ideals forward.”

Widely regarded as a ‘Citizen’s Judge’, Justice Ahmadi played a central role in landmark decisions that continue to shape Indian jurisprudence. The 1994 Ahmadi Committee Report played a pivotal role in reshaping legal education in India. His strong advocacy for non-adversarial forms of justice, including mediation and Lok Adalats, led to structural reforms such as Section 89 of the Civil Procedure Code and inspired the Mediation Act, 2023.

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