Overview & Inaugural Session
The Committee for Family Court Matters of the Supreme Court of India, in association with the Gauhati High Court, is organising a two-day Eastern Zone Regional Conference titled “ADR Vs. Adjudication in Family Disputes: Challenges and Way Forward”. The conference is scheduled to take place on 26–27 September 2026 at Hotel Radisson Blu in Guwahati.
The conference will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Chairperson of the Committee for Family Court Matters. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Anjaria, Judges of the Supreme Court of India and Members of the Committee, will attend as Chief Guests. The inaugural session will be presided over by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.
Core Objective: The conference seeks to facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices for effective, sensitive, and timely resolution of family disputes, while exploring the appropriate role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) alongside conventional adjudication.
Key Discussion Themes & Technical Sessions
The two-day conference brings together Judges, judicial officers, senior advocates, mediators, and legal experts to deliberate on critical issues surrounding family justice and matrimonial jurisprudence. Key topics on the agenda include:
- Domestic Violence & Senior Citizens: Protecting vulnerable family members and ensuring the welfare of senior citizens.
- Matrimonial Issues: Legal challenges concerning Marriage, Divorce, and Restitution of Conjugal Rights.
- Child Welfare: Custody of children, shared parenting models, and visitation rights.
- Financial & Property Division: Maintenance, alimony, and division/partition of marital property.
- Court Infrastructure: Strengthening human resources and institutional infrastructure across Family Courts.
Release of e-Compendium & Valedictory Session
A major highlight of the inaugural session will be the official release of an e-Compendium of judgments on family matters delivered by the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts of the Eastern Zone.
The conference will conclude on 27 September 2026 with a formal Valedictory Session:
- Keynote Address: To be delivered by Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Anjaria.
- Valedictory Address: To be delivered by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.
