India to Boost Institutional Arbitration: Law Min. Meghwal

New Delhi [India]: The Indian Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC), in association with the Bar Council of India’s India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER), convened the 4th Arbitration in India Conclave 2025 at the India International Centre, New Delhi. Supported by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and the Vienna International Arbitration Centre, the Conclave gathered eminent judges, policymakers, practitioners, and arbitration experts to deliberate on the theme “Autonomy and Accountability in Arbitration: Institutional Arbitration is the Way Forward.”

Government Prioritises ADR Reforms

Delivering the keynote address, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) framework. He emphasised that arbitration, mediation, and conciliation are “essential for India’s economic growth and efficient justice delivery.”

Referring to the Mediation Act, 2023 and the Government’s ongoing reforms to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, the Minister underlined that these measures aim to position India as a preferred destination for both domestic and international arbitration. He further highlighted the deep cultural roots of ADR in India, noting that “from Lord Krishna’s mediation in the Mahabharata to today’s institutional mechanisms, India has always upheld dialogue-based dispute resolution.”

Shri Meghwal urged arbitration institutions to enhance accessibility, affordability, and integrity, stressing that judicial intervention must remain limited and efficiency must characterise India’s arbitration ecosystem.

Judiciary Endorses Institutional Arbitration

In his valedictory address, Hon’ble Justice Manmohan of the Supreme Court called for institutional arbitration to evolve into a predictable, transparent, and globally aligned system. Acknowledging IDRC’s milestone of conducting more than 3,000 arbitrations in five years, he described the Centre as a testament to India’s commitment to building a credible ADR ecosystem.

Justice Manmohan cautioned that excessive judicial interference undermines the core objective of arbitration and advocated for a structured shift from ad hoc to institutional arbitration. Citing the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee Report, he suggested exploring a temporary moratorium on ad hoc arbitrations to encourage institutional adoption.

He also proposed strict timelines for adjudicating challenges under Sections 34 and 37 of the Arbitration Act, emphasising the need for time-bound enforcement of awards. The Judge urged the Government to reconsider the Finance Ministry’s circular limiting arbitration to disputes below Rs. 10 crore, stating that the Government must remain an active participant in arbitration reform.

Panel Highlights Efficiency and Accountability

A panel discussion on the Conclave’s central theme was moderated by Dr. Shashwat Bajpai, Founder Partner, DSRB Law Chambers, featuring:

• Mr. S.D. Sanjay, Additional Solicitor General of India

• Ms. Anuradha Dutt, Senior Partner, DMD Advocates

• Mr. Ayush Agarwala, Partner, Bombay Law Chambers

• Ms. Shruti Sabharwal, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas

The panellists unanimously asserted that institutional arbitration ensures higher procedural integrity, neutrality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness compared to ad hoc mechanisms. They underscored the importance of structured oversight, diverse arbitrator pools, digital integration, and fee transparency to make India a global arbitration hub.

Strengthening Collaboration and Awareness

In the welcome address, Ved Prakash Sharma, Advocate and Co-Chairman, BCI, underscored the growing importance of arbitration and praised the BCI–IDRC partnership for advancing reforms and education in the field.

Ms. Sumedha Sindhu Rathi, Head of Operations and Member Secretary, Advisory Board, IDRC, highlighted the Centre’s role in facilitating robust institutional arbitration processes. Mr. Divyansh H. Rathi, Hony. Secretary of IDRC and Managing Partner, Lexidem and Rathi, expressed gratitude to all attendees and reaffirmed IDRC’s mission to promote credible, technology-driven ADR mechanisms.