Consumer Mediator explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
These regulations answer the practical questions about a consumer mediator: how the panel is formed, when a mediator can be removed, who pays the fee and when, what happens if a party does not pay its share, and what a mediator must not do while a case is pending.
The regulations were made by the National Commission under section 103 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This article takes them as amended up to the Consumer Protection (Mediation) Amendment Regulations, 2022 (6 July 2022), which amend only regulation 9. Regulation 9 (training) is not explained here. Later amendments should be checked on the website of the National Commission or the Department of Consumer Affairs.
A Consumer Commission invites applications by notice in at least one English and one vernacular newspaper; a selection committee recommends the panel; the Mediation Cell is headed by the President of the Commission. The mediator's consolidated fee is fixed case-wise by the President, is shared equally by the two sets of parties and is deposited in advance; in an unsuccessful mediation half is paid. A defaulting party can be directed to deposit within a week, failing which the other parties may pay and recover it, or the mediation may be terminated. The regulations print no amount of fee.
Parties preparing for a mediation reference can ask for legal dispute resolution advice on the fee deposit and the settlement terms before the first sitting.
Regulation 5: empanelment
| Sub-regulation | Rule |
|---|---|
| 5(1) | Each Consumer Commission invites applications from eligible persons by a notice in at least one English and one vernacular newspaper widely circulated in its jurisdiction |
| 5(2) | The Mediation Cell scrutinises the applications and places the list of eligible ones before the selection committee under section 75(1) |
| 5(3) | The selection committee decides its own procedure and, taking into account suitability, integrity and relevant experience, recommends a panel to be maintained by the Cell |
| 5(4) | The panel has not more than the number the President of the Commission decides |
| 5(5) | The consent of the persons named must be obtained before empanelling them |
| 5(6) | The Mediation Cell is headed by the President of the Consumer Commission |
Who is eligible is in regulation 3, explained in the article on regulations 1 to 4. The Act's provisions on the panel are in sections 75 to 78, and the Cell is established under section 74.
Regulation 6: removal
If a mediator is discovered to be disqualified, or "in any manner misconducts himself as a mediator", or is otherwise found unsuitable to continue, the Mediation Cell may remove the name from the panel "after giving an opportunity of hearing to him". The hearing is a condition: removal without it would not follow the regulation.
Regulation 7: re-empanelment
Only mediators who, in the opinion of the Mediation Cell, have "successfully and efficiently discharged their functions" are eligible for re-empanelment, and the re-empanelment is on the recommendation of the Selection Committee. There is no automatic renewal.
Regulation 8: fee of mediators
Regulation 8 has seven sub-regulations.
- 8(1): a consolidated fee is paid, in a successful mediation, to the mediator who conducts the proceedings from reference to conclusion.
- 8(2): the fee, including costs of secretarial assistance and other ancillary expenses, is fixed by the President of the respective Consumer Commission, case-wise, considering the nature of the dispute.
- 8(3): in an unsuccessful mediation, half of that fee is paid to the mediator.
- 8(4): the fee is shared equally by the two sets of parties.
- 8(5): a mediator who successfully conducts part of the proceedings is paid such fee as the President fixes.
- 8(6): the fee is deposited in advance with the Mediation Cell.
- 8(7): if a party does not deposit its share of the fee or the cost of mediation, the Commission may, on application of the mediator or any other party, direct the defaulting party to deposit it within a week. If it still fails, the Commission may (i) permit the other parties to deposit the amount and recover it from the defaulter "in the manner prescribed for the execution of a money decree by a Civil Court", or (ii) if no other party deposits the share, terminate the mediation proceedings.
The regulation prints no rupee amount, and this article quotes none. The amount is set case by case by the President, so a party should ask the Cell what has been fixed in its case and not assume a figure from elsewhere. An invented example: Anand Appliances and a customer, Reena Gupta, are referred to mediation. The President fixes a consolidated fee. Each side pays half in advance to the Cell. If Anand Appliances does not deposit its half, Reena or the mediator can apply, and the Commission can direct deposit within a week. If it still does not pay, Reena may deposit it and recover it as a money decree would be executed, or, if she does not, the Commission may terminate the mediation.
The refund of the complaint's application fee on settlement is a different matter and is in rule 5 of the Mediation Rules; see the article on those rules.
Regulation 10: code of conduct
Regulation 10(1) and (2): no private contact, no gifts
- 10(1): empanelled mediators shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, with any of the parties or their associates, affiliates, promoters, holding companies, subsidiary companies, directors, partners or employees, or with any of their counsel, during the pendency of the mediation, except during the mediation itself, in the presence of the parties or their counsel.
- 10(2): a mediator shall not accept any gift or hospitality from any of those persons.
Regulation 10(3): disclosure
In addition to the disclosure required under clauses (a) and (b) of section 77, each mediator must disclose, before commencement of the mediation in a case assigned to him:
- whether he has or in the past had any personal, business or professional relationship or connection with any party to the dispute or any person associated or connected with the parties, their associates, affiliates, parent companies, subsidiary companies, directors, partners or employees; and
- whether there exists any circumstance that may give rise to reasonable doubt as to his independence and impartiality.
Regulation 4(2) on disqualification in a particular case works together with this disclosure. A mediator who reveals a connection may be excluded from the case, and the parties can object.
What parties should do
- Ask the Mediation Cell who is on the panel and who has been assigned.
- Read the mediator's disclosure before the mediation begins.
- Find out the fee fixed by the President and pay your half in advance.
- Do not contact the mediator privately and do not offer gifts or hospitality.
- If the other side defaults, note the one-week window in regulation 8(7).
The conduct of the sittings, confidentiality and reports are in the article on regulations 11 to 16.
Need help with consumer mediation?
A mediation can be quick, but the fee deposit, the disclosure and the written settlement all need care. Our legal dispute resolution team can prepare you for the sittings and draft the settlement so that it can be placed before the Commission.
Key takeaways
- Applications for the panel are invited by notice in at least one English and one vernacular newspaper; the selection committee recommends the panel; the President heads the Cell.
- A mediator can be removed only after an opportunity of hearing; re-empanelment needs a successful and efficient record and a recommendation.
- The fee is consolidated, fixed case-wise by the President, shared equally and deposited in advance; half is paid in an unsuccessful mediation.
- A party in default may be directed to deposit within a week, after which the other parties may pay and recover, or the mediation may be terminated.
- The regulation prints no amount of fee.
- Regulation 10 bars private contact, gifts and hospitality and adds disclosure duties.
- Regulation 9 (training) was amended in 2022 and is not described here.
Read next
- Regulations 1–4: who can be a mediator and who cannot
- Regulations 11–16: proceedings, role, confidentiality, immunity and reports
- Sections 75–78: mediators, empanelment, nomination, duties and replacement
- Section 74: the consumer mediation cell
Disclaimer: Based on the rules, regulations and guidelines named above as published in the Gazette of India or on the CCPA website, with the amending notifications the article names (consulted on 3 October 2026). Later amendments, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provisions referred to, State rules and CCPA advisories should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.