Section 21 in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation Rules, 2017
21. Attendance / Non-attendance of parties at sessions or meetings on due dates.
(1)While referring a case to mediation, the Court shall direct the parties to attend before the Coordinator of the Mediation Centre on a fixed date and time.(2)The parties shall be present personally or may be represented by their counsel or power of attorney holders at the meetings or sessions notified by the mediator:Provided that mediation proceedings may also be conducted by Audio-Video electronic means where the party is unable to attend personally,(3)If a party to a Suit fails to attend before the Coordinator or to a session or a meeting notified by the mediator, and upon information from the Coordinator of the Mediation Centre if the Court finds that a party is absenting himself without sufficient reason, the Court may take action against the said party by imposition of costs and may proceed to dispose of the Suit in one of the modes directed in that behalf by Order IX of the Code or make such other order as it thinks fit treating the absence as non appearance before the Court.(4)The parties not resident in India, may be represented by their counsel or power of attorney holders at the sessions or meetings.(5)Where the parties are represented by power of attorney, such power of attorney shall have authority to settle and compromise.
