IDRC's 4th
Arbitration in India Conclave 2025, Law Min. Meghwal, HMJ Manmohan, Sh. OP
Dhankar & Ors
New Delhi [India], November 7: The Indian Dispute
Resolution Centre (IDRC), in collaboration with the
Bar Council of India's India International University of Legal Education and
Research (IIULER), successfully hosted the “4th
Arbitration in India Conclave 2025” at the India International Centre,
New Delhi. Supported by CIArb and Vienna International Arbitration Centre,
Austria. The Conclave brought together judges, legal luminaries, policymakers,
and senior practitioners to deliberate on the theme “Autonomy and
Accountability in Arbitration: Institutional Arbitration is the Way Forward.”
Hon’ble Union Minister for Law and Justice, Shri
Arjun Ram Meghwal, delivered the keynote
address, outlining the Government’s reform-oriented vision for ADR. Stating
that “Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation are essential tools
for strengthening India’s justice delivery and economic growth.” Citing
the Mediation Act, 2023 and the forthcoming
amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, he
said these initiatives would “make India a preferred seat for both domestic and
international arbitration.”
Shri Meghwal remarked that ADR mechanisms reflect India’s
cultural and legal heritage, noting that “from Lord Krishna’s
mediation in the Mahabharata to today’s institutional mechanisms, India has
always valued resolution through dialogue and alternative modes.” He called
upon arbitration institutions to ensure accessibility, affordability,
and integrity, noting that “judicial intervention should be
limited, and efficiency must define India’s dispute resolution landscape.”
Hon’ble Justice Manmohan, Supreme Court, in his valedictory address, called for institutional
arbitration to evolve as a transparent and
predictable system.
Praising IDRC’s achievements, noting that the Centre had conducted over 3,000
arbitrations in five years and has become a “symbol of India’s commitment to
establish an efficient and credible ADR ecosystem.”
Justice Manmohan observed that “Courts must act as
facilitators, not barriers, to arbitration. Excessive judicial interference
erodes the very purpose of alternative dispute resolution.”
Highlighting the benefits of Institutional Arbitrations over ad hoc
proceedings, he went on to suggest that a moratorium should be placed on all ad
hoc arbitrations for a certain period so that institutional arbitration can be
strengthened. Referring to the Justice BN Shrikrishna Committee Report, he
said India should promote arbitration institutions to become a global ADR hub.
He proposed strict timelines for
enforcing awards under Sections 34 and 37 of the Arbitration Act to ensure
time-bound disposal of arbitration challenges. The Hon’ble Judge also urged the
Government to revisit the Finance Ministry’s circular restricting
arbitration only to disputes valued less than Rs. 10 Crore, stating that “the
Government must remain a part of the arbitration movement, not apart from it.”
Panel Discussion was on “Autonomy and
Accountability in Arbitration: Institutional Arbitration is the way forward” moderated by Dr Shashwat Bajpai, Founder
Partner, DSRB Law Chambers, with panellists:
- Mr S.D. Sanjay, Additional
Solicitor General of India, Supreme Court
- Ms Anuradha Dutt, Senior
Partner, DMD Advocates
- Mr Ayush Agarwala, Partner,
Bombay Law Chambers
- Ms Shruti Sabharwal, Partner,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Panellists unanimously agreed that institutional
arbitration ensures quality, neutrality, and procedural discipline, unlike ad
hoc arbitrations that often face delays and cost overruns.
Ms Anuradha Dutt emphasised
that “India can only become a true arbitration hub if it combines institutional
discipline with a predictable judiciary.”
Mr S.D. Sanjay highlighted
that “institutional systems help prevent arbitral fee abuse, avoid delays and
promote fairness.”
Ms Shruti Sabharwal noted that “structured oversight, award scrutiny, and ethical
accountability make institutional arbitration inherently superior to ad hoc
ones”
Mr Ayush Agarwala added
that “efficiency, diversity among arbitrators, and digital adoption will
determine the future success of arbitration in India.”
Delivering the Welcome Address, Ved
Prakash Sharma, Advocate and Co-Chairman, BCI applauded the
growing role of arbitration in modern dispute resolution. He highlighted
the collaboration between BCI and IDRC, stating that
their joint efforts have been “instrumental in promoting awareness, education,
and reforms that strengthen India’s arbitration ecosystem.”
Ms Sumedha Sindhu Rathi, Head of Operations and
Member Secretary, Advisory Board, IDRC, welcomed
the dignitaries and participants, outlining IDRC’s key functions and the
benefits of Institutional Arbitration. Mr Divyansh H. Rathi, Hony.
Secretary of IDRC and Managing Partner, Lexidem and Rathi, expressed
gratitude to all guests and reaffirmed IDRC’s commitment to advancing
institutional arbitration and making India a global hub for credible,
efficient, and technology-driven dispute resolution.
About IDRC
The IDRC is a Not-for-profit ADR Institution registered
with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, NITI
Aayog and empanelled with the Ministry of Law and Justice, GOI.
Established in 2020, IDRC has handled over 3,000 arbitration and
mediation cases through physical and virtual platforms. It continues
to promote best practices, innovation, and accessibility in ADR. IDRC’s
educational wings, the Indian Institute of Arbitration and the
Indian Institute of Mediation, have been an integral part of the
Conclaves as Knowledge Partners. LatestLaws.com,
IDRC’s sister organisation, celebrated its 10th Anniversary at
the 4th Arbitration in India Conclave.