In a world where legal disputes can drag on for years, costing fortunes and destroying relationships, a more efficient and humane path to justice is needed. This is the core mission of The ADR Group (TAG), a pioneering organization dedicated to changing how family and commercial disputes are resolved in India.
Led by internationally recognized dispute resolution specialist Prachi Mehta, TAG moves beyond the confrontational nature of litigation, offering expert Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services like mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. This is the story of how a passion for justice led to the creation of a group that prioritizes resolution over conflict.
The Founder’s Journey: A Global Mission for Indian Justice
The vision for TAG was born from founder Prachi Mehta’s extensive 15-year career and unwavering passion for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Her journey began as a lawyer in New York, where she quickly specialized in dispute resolution. Her goal was clear: to provide clients with a simpler, more direct path to justice than traditional court systems allowed.
Prachi’s expertise is backed by an impressive array of global credentials:
- She is a certified mediator in both India and the United States, with a track record of successfully mediating numerous complex cases in both countries.
- Her academic foundation includes degrees from St. Stephen’s College, the University of Delhi, and New York University.
- She is an accredited mediator for the Supreme Court of India’s Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee and is also a Harvard Law School-certified mediator.
Her commitment to advancing ADR is further highlighted by her work as a Visiting Researcher at Stanford Law School and her recognition as a prestigious Weinstein JAMS Fellow for her dedication to resolving conflict on a global scale.
What Makes The ADR Group Stand Out?
TAG’s approach is built on a philosophy of “win-win survival strategies.” The goal isn’t just to end a dispute, but to do so in a way that allows commercial and family relationships to continue seamlessly.
Two key factors make their approach unique:
- Industry-Specific Expertise: TAG ensures that every client is matched with a neutral expert, be it a senior lawyer, retired judge, or industry professional, who has specific experience relevant to their unique matter.
- A Tailored Process: Recognizing that no two disputes are the same, the group’s neutrals customize the dispute resolution process for each case, ensuring client comfort and satisfaction every step of the way.
Overcoming Hurdles and Measuring Success
According to the founder, the biggest challenge has been raising awareness about mediation and its powerful benefits in India, where litigation is often the default first step.
Despite this, the group’s success is undeniable. Their elite panel of neutrals boasts of having handled over 5,000 disputes through mediation and other ADR mechanisms. This remarkable achievement is powered by extensive research and systems developed with the help of training at Harvard Law and research at Stanford Law School, all aimed at resolving complex disputes efficiently.
The Path Forward: A Vision for India’s Legal Future
When asked about the secret to success, Prachi Mehta emphasizes that it’s the powerful combination of “the right product, the right market, and the right team.”
Looking ahead, TAG’s aspiration is to fundamentally shift the national mindset. The ultimate goal is to raise so much awareness about ADR that when anyone in India faces a dispute, their first thought is “not to sue, but to mediate.” They envision a future where reaching a mutually acceptable settlement is the standard, not the alternative.
A Word of Advice for Entrepreneurs
For other entrepreneurs just starting their journey, Prachi Mehta offers this single, powerful piece of advice:
Before you launch, educate yourself on the needs of your market. This is the single most important factor that determines success in my opinion. No matter how fabulous your product/service is, if the market is not ready, it will not accept it.