Puja Anand is a seasoned legal professional and internationally accredited mediator with over three decades of experience. Currently serving as Senior Partner at CGC Partners, she is renowned for her work in advancing mediation, gender equality, and access to justice in India. Her contributions have influenced landmark judgments in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. A dedicated trainer and advocate for alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Puja combines deep legal expertise with compassion to resolve complex disputes and transform lives beyond the courtroom.
Puja Anand’s journey began in a progressive Punjabi household where values of honesty, empathy, and resilience were deeply rooted. A law graduate from Delhi University, she entered a male-dominated legal world with determination, becoming one of the few women to practice criminal law early on. After years in active litigation, she transitioned to mediation, driven by a desire to create meaningful resolutions and empower people through dialogue. Over the years, she has become a trailblazer in ADR, a mentor to young legal minds, and a passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality.
Puja Anand is a perspective on the evolving digital landscape in India, particularly the increasing importance of specialisation in areas like lawful conversation.
- Puja shared her shift from decades of active courtroom litigation to embracing mediation as a tool for healing, resolution, and long-term impact.
- She emphasized the need for institutional support, public awareness, and mandatory pre-litigation mediation to make mediation a first choice, not a fallback.
- While Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) increases access, especially in remote areas, Puja stressed that technology cannot fully replace the human connection built through in-person mediation.
- Heartfelt anecdotes included reconciling a couple after three years of estrangement and helping a multi-generational family heal beyond property disputes—stories that show mediation can change lives.
- From being one of 13 girls in her law class to witnessing more women take the senior advocate’s gown, Puja reflected on the evolving role and recognition of women in the legal field.
- She advocated for vernacular mediation, community mediation centers, and legal literacy as tools to democratize justice for marginalized communities.
- She credited figures like Mrs. Sarna Ramachandran, Mr. Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, Joel Lee, and Simranjeet Singh as key mentors who shaped her ADR philosophy.
- Outside the courtroom, Puja finds balance through gardening, painting, music, and long drives—her way of restoring calm and creativity.
From Courtrooms to Compassion: How Puja Anand Is Redefining Justice Through Mediation and Empathy
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