Parties to a commercial dispute successfully conclude a settlement through mediation. Under the Mediation Act, 2023, the mediation SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT is:

Explanation: A distinctive feature of the Mediation Act, 2023 is that a mediation settlement agreement, once signed by the parties and the mediator, is ENFORCEABLE in the same manner as a judgment or decree of a court. This gives voluntary mediation binding teeth, unlike a mere moral promise, and without requiring fresh registration or attestation. Section 27 of the Act provides for this enforceability. The Act also protects confidentiality and provides that admissions made during mediation are not admissible in subsequent proceedings. This enforceability is what makes mediation a real alternative to litigation.