Conciliation Services in Pune

Local jurisdiction

Registrar (RoC)

RoC Pune — PMT Building, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune – 411004

Jurisdictional HC

Bombay High Court (Pune Bench)

GSTIN prefix

27 (Maharashtra)

Professional Tax

Maharashtra levies Professional Tax (max ₹2,500/year). Companies in Pune must register within 30 days of commencement.

Business hubs

Hinjewadi, Koregaon Park, Viman Nagar, Kharadi, Baner

Pune is Maharashtra's second-largest city and a major IT, manufacturing, and education hub. It attracts numerous MNCs and startups, especially in the automotive, IT, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Also in: Mumbai

Conciliation is a voluntary, confidential form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under Part III (Sections 61–81) of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996, in which a neutral conciliator helps parties settle a dispute and — unlike a mediator — may actively propose terms of settlement. It suits commercial, contractual, MSME (MSMED Act Section 18, Samadhaan) and employment disputes. When the parties agree, a written settlement agreement is drawn up and authenticated under Sections 73 and 74, and it then has the same status and effect as an arbitral award — enforceable as a decree of the court. It is faster, cheaper and more private than litigation, and the process is entirely without prejudice.

Sec 74

Award-equivalent settlementA settlement agreement signed under Section 73 and authenticated by the conciliator under Section 74 has the same status and effect as an arbitral award — directly enforceable as a decree of the court.

Understand It

What Is Conciliation Services?

A quick, plain-language explanation before the details.

In simple terms

Conciliation is a voluntary, confidential way to settle a dispute in which a neutral conciliator helps both sides reach agreement and can actively suggest fair terms of settlement — avoiding a court case.

Legally

Conciliation is governed by Part III (Sections 61–81) of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996. It applies to disputes arising out of a legal relationship, whether contractual or not. A settlement agreement drawn up under Section 73 and authenticated by the conciliator under Section 74 has the same status and effect as an arbitral award under Section 30.

Governing authority

Conciliation is a private, party-driven process. There is no single administering authority; MSME delayed-payment disputes are conciliated through the Micro & Small Enterprise Facilitation Council (MSEFC) under Section 18 of the MSMED Act, 2006.

Validity

A settlement agreement is final and binding on the parties once signed. Being equivalent to an arbitral award, it is enforceable as a decree of the court under the Code of Civil Procedure.

Service Intelligence

Quick Facts

Professional Fee

Custom quote

Governing Law

Arb. & Concn. Act 1996

Key Sections

Part III · 61–81

Process

Voluntary ADR

Neutral

Conciliator

Outcome

Settlement (Sec 73/74)

Confidentiality

Sec 75 — protected

Mode

100% Online

Legal & Regulatory Framework

Act

Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996

Part

Part III (Sec 61–81)

Settlement

Sec 73 & 74

MSME Route

MSMED Act, s.18

Confidentiality

Sec 75 & 81

Last Reviewed

17 Aug 2026

Before You Start

Is This Service Right for You?

Ideal for

Businesses in a commercial or contractual dispute seeking a quick, private settlement
MSME suppliers pursuing delayed-payment recovery under MSMED Act Section 18 (Samadhaan)
Parties who want to preserve an ongoing business or working relationship
Employers and employees resolving employment or service disputes out of court
Companies wanting to avoid the cost, delay and publicity of litigation or arbitration
Parties whose contract contains a conciliation or multi-tier dispute-resolution clause

You may need this if

You have a dispute you would rather settle by agreement than fight in court
You need a neutral third party to actively propose fair terms of settlement
You want an outcome that is enforceable as a decree, not just a private compromise
Confidentiality of the dispute and the settlement matters to you
You are an MSME chasing overdue payment and want to invoke Samadhaan conciliation
You want to resolve the matter quickly without a full arbitration or trial

Not sure if you need this?

Talk to an Expert →

Why It Matters

Why Choose Conciliation to Resolve a Dispute

Conciliation gives you a faster, cheaper and more private route to a binding settlement — while keeping control of the outcome in your hands. Here is why parties choose it.

01

Conciliator Proposes Terms

Unlike a mediator, a conciliator can actively suggest and formulate terms of a possible settlement under Section 67, helping deadlocked parties find common ground.
02

Binding, Enforceable Outcome

A settlement agreement under Section 73/74 has the status and effect of an arbitral award — enforceable as a decree of the court, not merely a private compromise.
03

Confidential & Without Prejudice

Section 75 keeps the proceedings, admissions and settlement confidential. Views expressed during conciliation cannot be used as evidence later (Section 81).
04

Faster Than Litigation

Disputes are resolved in weeks or months rather than the years a court case or full arbitration can take, saving cost and management time.
05

Preserves Relationships

Because the outcome is agreed rather than imposed, conciliation helps preserve ongoing commercial, supplier and employment relationships.
06

MSME Samadhaan Route

For delayed-payment disputes, MSMED Act Section 18 requires the Facilitation Council to first attempt conciliation — a statutory recovery path for micro and small enterprises.

Transparent

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Custom quote for your case

Fees depend on your business type and scope. Get a clear, itemised quote upfront — no hidden professional charges, government fee billed at actuals.

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Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

Companies, LLPs & firms in commercial disputes

Parties to a contract with a dispute

MSME suppliers under Samadhaan (delayed payment)

Employers & employees in service disputes

Cross-border / multi-party commercial parties

Parties bound by a conciliation clause in their agreement

Eligibility checklist

A dispute arising out of a legal relationship, whether contractual or not
Willingness of both (or all) parties to participate — conciliation is voluntary
A written invitation to conciliate, and the other party’s acceptance (Section 62)
A subject matter that parties are free to settle by agreement
Authorised representatives who can sign a binding settlement on each side
For MSME cases — a registered Udyam enterprise and an admitted delayed payment

End-to-End

Everything You Need. One Professional Team.

01

Dispute Assessment

Understand the dispute, the relationship and whether conciliation is the right ADR route for you.

02

Invitation to Conciliate

Draft and send the written invitation under Section 62 and secure the other party’s acceptance.

03

Conciliator Appointment

Assist in appointing a neutral, suitably qualified conciliator (or a panel) agreeable to both sides.

04

Statement of Case

Prepare your statement of the dispute, position and supporting documents under Section 65.

05

Conciliation Sessions

Represent and advise you through joint and separate meetings as the conciliator explores settlement.

06

Terms of Settlement

Negotiate, review and refine the conciliator’s proposed terms to protect your interests.

07

Settlement Agreement

Draft and finalise the written settlement agreement for signing and Section 74 authentication.

08

Enforcement Guidance

Advise on enforcing the settlement as a decree if the other party fails to comply.

No Ambiguity

What You’ll Receive

Dispute assessment & ADR strategy note

Invitation to conciliate (Section 62)

Assistance appointing a neutral conciliator

Statement of case & document set

Representation through conciliation sessions

Reviewed terms of settlement

Signed settlement agreement (Section 73/74)

Enforcement-as-decree guidance

Checklist

What Documents Are Needed for Conciliation?

Requirements depend on the dispute and the route. Keep clear scans (PDF/JPG) ready — everything is collected securely online, and we provide a checklist matched to your matter.

Choose your dispute type

Parties & Dispute

Who is disputing and over what

5 documents

The underlying contract / agreement in dispute
Any conciliation or dispute-resolution clause
Correspondence and notices exchanged between the parties
Details of the parties and authorised signatories
A summary of the dispute, claim and amount involved

Everything stays confidential

Under Section 75, all documents, admissions and proposals shared in conciliation are confidential. Nothing you disclose can be used as evidence in later proceedings (Section 81).

Conciliation is voluntary

Either party may terminate the conciliation at any time under Section 76. There is no compulsion to settle — you agree only to terms you accept.

MSME needs Udyam registration

To invoke Samadhaan conciliation under MSMED Act Section 18, the supplier must be a registered Udyam micro or small enterprise with an admitted delayed payment.

The settlement binds both sides

Once signed and authenticated under Section 74, the settlement agreement is final and binding and carries the effect of an arbitral award — so review the terms carefully before signing.

Don’t have all the documents?

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Step by Step

How the Conciliation Process Works (Step by Step)

Conciliation follows the framework in Part III of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 — from the invitation through to a binding, enforceable settlement.

01

Invitation to Conciliate

One party sends a written invitation to conciliate under Section 62; conciliation begins when the other party accepts.

02

Appoint the Conciliator

The parties agree on a neutral conciliator (or a panel) under Section 64. We help you pick a suitably qualified, impartial choice.

03

Statements & Documents

Each side submits a brief statement of the dispute and supporting documents to the conciliator under Section 65.

04

Conciliation Sessions

The conciliator holds joint and separate meetings, explores interests, and may actively propose terms of settlement under Section 67.

05

Agree the Terms

When the parties reach a possible settlement, the terms are formulated, reviewed and refined until both sides accept them (Section 73).

06

Sign & Authenticate

A written settlement agreement is signed and authenticated by the conciliator under Section 74 — giving it the effect of an arbitral award.

How Long It Takes

How Long Does Conciliation Take?

Stage	Expected Time
Invitation, acceptance & appointing the conciliator	Week 1–2
Statements, documents & conciliation sessions	Week 2–8
Formulating terms & signing the settlement	On agreement

Timelines vary with the complexity of the dispute and the parties’ availability — many commercial matters settle within weeks, far faster than litigation. MSME Samadhaan conciliation before the Facilitation Council follows the timelines in Section 18 of the MSMED Act. Either party may terminate the conciliation at any time under Section 76.

Compliance Calendar

Key Dates — At a Glance

Frequency	What Is Due
On Signing	Ensure the agreement is authenticated by the conciliator (Sec 74) · Each party keeps a signed copy · Diarise the agreed payment / performance dates
Performance	Comply with the agreed terms within the timelines · Retain proof of payment or performance · Confirm completion in writing to the other side
On Default	A settlement is enforceable as a decree of the court · Initiate enforcement if the other party fails to comply · We advise on the execution route and forum
Relationship	Update the underlying contract if terms have changed · Consider a conciliation clause for future disputes · Keep records for any related tax or accounting entries

Dates are indicative and may change with government notifications. Our team tracks every deadline so you never miss a filing.

Why Outsource

Doing It Yourself vs TaxClue

Doing It Yourself

Judge whether conciliation, mediation or arbitration fits your dispute
Draft an invitation to conciliate that the other side will accept
Find and agree a genuinely neutral, qualified conciliator
Prepare a persuasive statement of your case and evidence
Negotiate terms without weakening your legal position
Draft an enforceable settlement agreement under Section 73/74
Risk an unclear, unenforceable or one-sided settlement

With TaxClue

We advise which ADR route best fits your dispute
We draft the invitation and secure the other party’s acceptance
We help appoint a neutral, suitably qualified conciliator
We prepare your statement of case and evidence bundle
We represent and advise you through every session
We draft a clear settlement agreement enforceable as a decree
We guide enforcement if the settlement is later breached

Skip the guesswork.

Let an expert handle it →

Avoid Delays

Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application

Treating conciliation like litigation and refusing to explore settlement

Not putting the settlement in writing under Section 73

Skipping the conciliator’s Section 74 authentication of the agreement

Vague or unenforceable settlement terms with no timelines

Choosing a conciliator who is not genuinely neutral

Disclosing without-prejudice information carelessly outside the process

MSME claims filed without valid Udyam registration

Ignoring a conciliation clause and rushing straight to court

TaxClue reviews your documents before filing to reduce avoidable errors.

Stay Compliant

After the Settlement Agreement

On Signing

Ensure the agreement is authenticated by the conciliator (Sec 74)
Each party keeps a signed copy
Diarise the agreed payment / performance dates

Performance

Comply with the agreed terms within the timelines
Retain proof of payment or performance
Confirm completion in writing to the other side

On Default

A settlement is enforceable as a decree of the court
Initiate enforcement if the other party fails to comply
We advise on the execution route and forum

Relationship

Update the underlying contract if terms have changed
Consider a conciliation clause for future disputes
Keep records for any related tax or accounting entries

Risk Assessment

Penalties & Consequences

What is at stake if you do not comply

Not putting the settlement in writing under Section 73 leaves it unenforceable
Skipping the conciliator's Section 74 authentication denies the settlement award-status
Vague settlement terms with no timelines cause later enforcement disputes
Disclosing without-prejudice information carelessly breaches Section 75 confidentiality
MSME Samadhaan claims filed without valid Udyam registration are rejected

Latest Updates

Regulatory Updates 2025–26

2025: Arbitration is governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996; an award is enforceable like a court decree.

The Difference

Why Businesses Choose TaxClue

01

ADR-Experienced Team

Advocates and professionals experienced in conciliation, arbitration and commercial dispute resolution handle your matter.

02

End-to-End

From the invitation to conciliate through to a signed, enforceable settlement — fully managed for you.

03

Confidential Handling

Your dispute and documents are handled discreetly, consistent with the confidentiality the process protects.

04

100% Online

Documents and sessions can be handled remotely over secure digital channels — no office visits required.

05

Transparent Fees

A clear quote confirmed upfront after a scope check — no hidden professional charges.

06

Settlement-Focused

We aim for a fair, binding settlement that protects your interests and preserves the relationship.

Data Care

Your Documents Deserve Professional Care

Dispute documents handled by professionals under confidentiality
Access limited to the team working on your matter
Communication over secure digital channels
Documents retained only as long as needed for the engagement

Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is conciliation?

Conciliation is a voluntary, confidential form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) under Part III of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996. A neutral conciliator helps the parties reach an amicable settlement of a dispute arising out of a legal relationship, whether contractual or not. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, the conciliator does not impose a decision — but, unlike a mediator, may actively propose terms of settlement.

How is conciliation different from mediation?

Both are voluntary and confidential, but a conciliator plays a more active role: under Section 67 they may formulate and propose terms of settlement to the parties, whereas a mediator usually only facilitates the parties’ own negotiation without suggesting solutions. In India conciliation is codified in the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996, giving the settlement a defined legal effect.

How is conciliation different from arbitration?

In arbitration the arbitrator hears both sides and imposes a binding decision (an award). In conciliation the conciliator cannot impose anything — the outcome is a settlement the parties themselves agree to. However, a conciliation settlement under Section 74 has the same status and effect as an arbitral award, so it is equally enforceable once signed.

Is a conciliation settlement legally binding?

Yes. A settlement agreement drawn up under Section 73 and authenticated by the conciliator under Section 74 has the same status and effect as an arbitral award under Section 30. It is final and binding on the parties and enforceable as a decree of the court.

Can a conciliation settlement be enforced like a court order?

Yes. Because it has the effect of an arbitral award, a conciliation settlement can be enforced as a decree of the court under the Code of Civil Procedure. If the other party fails to comply, you can move to execute the settlement rather than start a fresh case.

What types of disputes can be resolved by conciliation?

Conciliation suits commercial and contractual disputes, MSME delayed-payment claims (MSMED Act Section 18, Samadhaan), employment and service disputes, partnership and shareholder differences, and many other civil disputes that parties are free to settle by agreement. It is not used for matters that cannot be compromised, such as criminal offences.

How does conciliation begin?

Under Section 62, one party sends the other a written invitation to conciliate, briefly identifying the dispute. Conciliation proceedings begin when the other party accepts the invitation in writing. If the invitation is rejected, there is no conciliation.

Who appoints the conciliator?

The parties appoint the conciliator by agreement under Section 64 — usually one conciliator, but they may agree on two or three. The conciliator must be, and remain, impartial and independent. We help you identify and agree a suitably qualified, neutral conciliator.

Is the conciliation process confidential?

Yes. Section 75 requires the conciliator and the parties to keep all matters relating to the conciliation confidential, including the settlement. Section 81 further provides that admissions, proposals and views expressed during conciliation cannot be used as evidence in any later arbitral or judicial proceedings.

What is MSME Samadhaan conciliation?

Under Section 18 of the MSMED Act, 2006, a registered micro or small enterprise facing a delayed payment can file a reference with the Micro & Small Enterprise Facilitation Council. The Council must first attempt conciliation between the buyer and supplier; if that fails, it takes up the dispute for arbitration. It is a statutory recovery route for MSMEs with entitlement to interest on the overdue amount.

Can either party stop the conciliation?

Yes. Conciliation is voluntary. Under Section 76 it can be terminated by a signed settlement, by the conciliator’s written declaration that further efforts are no longer justified, or by a written declaration of the parties or either party that the conciliation is terminated. No one can be forced to settle.

What does TaxClue do in a conciliation?

We assess your dispute and advise whether conciliation is the right route, draft and send the invitation to conciliate, help appoint a neutral conciliator, prepare your statement of case and documents, represent and advise you through the sessions, review the proposed terms, draft the settlement agreement for Section 74 authentication, and guide enforcement if the settlement is later breached. Fees are quoted upfront after a scope check.

What is alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and where does conciliation fit in?

ADR covers ways of resolving disputes outside court — mainly arbitration, mediation and conciliation. Conciliation is a settlement-focused ADR process codified in Part III (Sections 61–81) of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996, in which a neutral conciliator can actively propose terms. It is faster, cheaper and more confidential than litigation, and a signed settlement is enforceable as a decree.

What is the difference between conciliation, mediation and arbitration?

In conciliation the conciliator can actively propose terms of settlement (Section 67) and the signed settlement has the effect of an arbitral award (Section 74). In mediation the mediator only facilitates the parties’ own settlement (Mediation Act, 2023). In arbitration the arbitrator decides the dispute and issues a binding award. Conciliation and mediation are non-binding until a settlement is signed; arbitration ends in an imposed decision.

How is a conciliator appointed?

Under Section 64, the parties appoint the conciliator by agreement — usually one conciliator, though they may agree on two or three. In MSME Samadhaan matters the Micro & Small Enterprise Facilitation Council itself conducts or arranges the conciliation. The conciliator must be, and remain, impartial and independent, and we help you agree a suitably qualified, neutral choice.

Is a conciliation settlement enforceable like a court decree?

Yes. A settlement agreement signed under Section 73 and authenticated by the conciliator under Section 74 has the same status and effect as an arbitral award under Section 30, and is therefore enforceable as a decree of the court under the Code of Civil Procedure. If the other side defaults, you can move to execute it rather than start a fresh case.

What is MSME Samadhaan conciliation and who can use it?

Under Section 18 of the MSMED Act, 2006, a registered Udyam micro or small enterprise facing a delayed payment can file a reference with the Facilitation Council, which must first attempt conciliation between buyer and supplier; if conciliation fails, it takes up the dispute for arbitration. It is a statutory recovery route with an entitlement to interest on the overdue amount.

Verify Everything

Official Sources & Legal References

Every legal reference on this page — sections, the settlement’s effect and the MSME route — is drawn from primary law and official sources. Verify them directly:

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