Diploma in Conciliation Practice 

Diploma in Conciliation Practice (DCP) 

A Professional Specialized Skill Training Program by Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI)

• Eligibility: Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with Standard 10 appearing or passed.

• Total Fees: Rs. 4,500/-
  (Everything Included from Admission, Course Fees and Delivery of Certificate, no additional Fees Apart from it)

• Mode: Online

• Study Material:  Will be provided through Learning Dashboard/Portal

• Learning Type: Self Paced

• Duration:  3 Months (Preferably, but can be completed anytime as soon as you give the Exam)

• Enrollment:  Any Time, there is no Fixed Enrolment Date or Day. A candidate can choose any time and the enrolment will be processed real time.

• Exam: One Online Exam, MCQ and Subjective Type Questions of 100 Marks. Passing Marks 40%. If unsuccessful, you can give additional two attempts.

• Procedure: Fill the Apply Now Form →  Pay the Requisite Amount of Fees by Clicking Pay Now Button → Then Click on Payment Confirmation button and fill the form with all the Details → Then login to the Dashboard.

Course Overview

The Diploma in Conciliation Practice (DCP), offered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is an industry-oriented professional diploma designed to build foundational and intermediate expertise in consensual conflict management. Across modern commercial, consumer, and family domains, escalating legal expenses and protracted courtroom litigation have accelerated the reliance on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Conciliation stands at the forefront of this shift as an assisted dispute resolution mechanism where an impartial third party actively assists disputants in finding common ground, formulating settlement terms, and avoiding adversarial court trials.

The DCP curriculum demystifies the statutory, procedural, and behavioral mechanics of conciliation. Unlike mediation—where the neutral primarily acts as a pure facilitator—conciliation empowers the practitioner to examine the merits of each side, offer concrete compromise proposals, and steer contending parties toward mutually beneficial closures. The program unpacks the statutory architecture under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the Code of Civil Procedure (Section 89), relevant international standards including the UNCITRAL Conciliation Rules, and cross-border settlement instruments such as the Singapore Convention on Mediation.

Beyond legal technicalities, the diploma places substantial weight on the psychological and tactical facets of dispute de-escalation. Candidates develop essential skills in active listening, cognitive reframing, caucus administration, interest-based bargaining, and overcoming relational deadlock. The coursework spans common conflict settings including consumer complaints, landlord-tenant disputes, micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) payment defaults, workplace grievances, and commercial contract claims.

Participants are trained in procedural paperwork, evidence appraisal, and the drafting of binding settlement agreements. A properly conciliated agreement carries the statutory weight of a formal court decree or arbitral award on agreed terms, making settlement drafting a vital skill. Through structured readings, model settlement reviews, and step-by-step procedure analyses, the DCP prepares aspiring practitioners, paralegals, business administrators, and civic advocates to manage and resolve real-world conflicts effectively.

Course Structure and Modules

The tentative modules are as follows:

Module 1: Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution and Conciliation Frameworks

• Fundamentals of dispute management: Differences between Litigation, Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation.

• Statutory foundations: Part III of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

• International perspectives: UNCITRAL Conciliation Rules and the Singapore Convention on cross-border settlements.

• Institutional conciliation rules, ethical codes, impartiality standards, and confidentiality boundaries.

Module 2: The Conciliation Lifecycle: Process, Procedure, and Administration

• Commencement of conciliation: Notice to conciliate, acceptance protocols, and appointment of single vs. joint conciliators.

• Procedural preparation: Submission of written statements, document examination, and role allocation.

• Session conduct: Managing joint opening conferences, establishing procedural decorum, and framing core contentious issues.

• Administrative coordination: Recording proceedings, scheduling caucuses, and communication management.

Module 3: Conflict Psychology, Communication Dynamics, and De-Escalation

• Core negotiation tactics: Positional bargaining vs. interest-based problem solving (Principled Negotiation).

• Advanced communication: Active listening, reframing hostile language, and reality-testing unrealistic claims.

• Separate meetings (caucusing): Uncovering hidden interests, establishing trust, and handling emotional hostility.

• Overcoming impasse: Creative problem-solving, generating non-monetary settlement options, and breaking psychological deadlocks.

Module 4: Practical Conciliation in Commercial, Consumer, and Civil Arenas

• Commercial and contractual conflicts: Vendor disputes, delayed performance, and MSME recovery conciliation.

• Consumer dispute resolution: Banking, insurance, real estate, and e-commerce consumer claims.

• Workplace and community conciliation: Employment friction, wage claims, tenancy disputes, and neighborhood issues.

• Family and succession settlements: Resolving partition and property claims through structured family settlements.

Module 5: Settlement Agreement Drafting, Execution, and Legal Enforcement

• Essential legal elements of a valid Conciliation Settlement Agreement (CSA).

• Drafting precise settlement clauses: Release of liabilities, payment timelines, default clauses, and dispute exit covenants.

• Statutory status: Effect of a settlement agreement as an arbitral award on agreed terms under Section 74 of the Act.

• Filing and execution procedures before competent courts, grounds of challenge, and final dispute closure protocols.

Importance of Doing this Course

With courts handling millions of pending matters, pre-litigation settlement and institutional conciliation are becoming fundamental requirements rather than optional alternatives. Completing the Diploma in Conciliation Practice (DCP) delivers significant professional and strategic benefits.

First, the program provides practical knowledge of non-adversarial conflict resolution without requiring a formal prior law degree. Many disputes in business, neighborhood matters, and employment fail to settle simply because the handling personnel lack structured negotiation and de-escalation skills. DCP builds those concrete capabilities, enabling candidates to step in early and resolve problems before they turn into costly litigation.

Second, the curriculum emphasizes drafting enforceable settlement documentation. Reaching an informal consensus is insufficient if the paperwork leaves loopholes for future litigation. The program trains learners on how to draft settlement agreements that carry legal finality, preventing further civil claims and safeguarding the parties' commercial and personal interests.

Third, organizations across retail, supply chain, banking, and real estate are actively integrating ADR desks to cut dispute resolution time and preserve customer and partner relationships. Possessing specialized credentials in conciliation signals an ability to reduce corporate litigation exposure and resolve contractual friction smoothly.

Finally, validated by the Indian Arbitration Institution, the diploma serves as an accessible entry point into dispute resolution, enhancing professional resumes across corporate, administrative, paralegal, and social sectors.

Career Prospects

The practical competencies acquired through the Diploma in Conciliation Practice open pathways across legal services, administrative operations, and corporate risk management:

• ADR Case Administrator and Conciliation Coordinator: Assist institutional dispute resolution bodies, arbitral forums, and trade associations in managing conciliation filings, case dockets, and session schedules.

• Paralegal and Litigation Support Executive: Work in law chambers, legal aid desks, and boutique corporate firms preparing statements, coordinating pre-litigation settlements, and handling client documentation.

• Customer Grievance and Dispute Officer: Manage escalated consumer, insurance, or banking claims within corporate dispute management and ombudsman support teams.

• HR and Workplace Relations Specialist: Address internal workplace friction, labor union communications, and staff exit negotiations through systematic conciliation methods.

• Vendor and Contract Management Executive: Supervise procurement settlements, delayed delivery negotiations, and vendor disputes in MSMEs, logistics firms, and retail organizations.

• Community and Non-Profit Conflict Facilitator: Support NGOs, resident welfare associations, and community welfare centers in resolving property, neighborhood, and family disputes amicably.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution offers the Diploma in Conciliation Practice through a streamlined, digital framework engineered to ensure accessibility, flexibility, and practical learning for individuals at any stage of their academic or professional journey.

Eligibility Applicants must satisfy:

• Any Basic Qualification or Any Formal Education with Standard 10 (Secondary School Examination) appearing or passed.

This inclusive eligibility criterion ensures that school leavers, undergraduate students, working professionals, community workers, and career changers can enroll and acquire formal credentials in dispute resolution without restrictive prerequisites.

Total Fees The all-inclusive fee for the diploma is Rs. 4,500/-. This single payment covers admission processing, digital learning material, access to the learning portal, examination administration, and the physical printing and postal/courier delivery of the final Diploma Certificate. There are no additional evaluation, portal renewal, or hidden charges.

Mode and Study Material The program is delivered entirely Online. Enrolled students receive secure access credentials to the IAI Learning Dashboard/Portal. Comprehensive Study Material—including procedural guides, module handbooks, sample conciliation notices, settlement templates, and analysis of model dispute scenarios—is made available directly within the digital portal.

Learning Type and Duration The program follows a completely Self-Paced learning structure. Although the standard recommended duration is 3 Months, learners are free to progress faster. The candidate may review the learning content at their own speed and complete the course as soon as they choose to appear for and clear the online examination.

Enrollment Enrollment remains open Any Time throughout the year. There are no fixed admission cycles, semester deadlines, or specific intake cutoffs. Registration is processed in real time, granting candidates immediate access to course materials upon confirmation.

Examination Structure The course concludes with One Online Exam carrying a total of 100 Marks:

• Format: A combination of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Subjective assessment questions.

• Passing Marks: 40%.

• Re-attempt Facility: If a candidate does not qualify on the first attempt, they are entitled to two additional attempts without paying any supplementary fee.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Fill out and submit the official Apply Now Form on the IAI portal.

2. Pay the requisite course fee of Rs. 4,500/- by clicking the Pay Now button.

3. Click the Payment Confirmation button and submit the verification form with the payment transaction reference.

4. Log into the Learning Dashboard to start accessing the course modules and materials.