Biggest challenge is trust in arbitrator’s integrity and honesty, says SG Tushar Mehta

Arbitration has emerged as a preferred mechanism for dispute resolution in India and the judiciary and Parliament are continuously working to align it with international standards and the conference was part of this endeavour, the release stated.

The event was held in the presence of Supreme Court judge Justice N V Anjaria, Gujarat HC Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and judges of Gujarat HC Justice A Y Kogje, Justice A S Supehia, and Justice Bhargav Karia. Justice Anjaria was the chief guest of the event.

In her welcome address, according to the release, Chief Justice Agarwal termed the conference a significant milestone for advancing the legal process of arbitration in Gujarat.

She emphasised that “the event demonstrates the Gujarat HC’s commitment to strengthening the dispute resolution mechanism outside of traditional courts,” stated the release.

Justice Anjaria, in his inaugural address, explained the historical fundamental concept of arbitration and stressed its essential characteristics: Simplicity, impartiality, speedy and inexpensive resolution, ethics, and the parties’ right to choice.

The conference concluded with the address of the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta. Mehta said, “The biggest challenge in the arbitration sector is the trust in the integrity and honesty of the arbitrator,” as per the release.

According to the release, the conference brought together judges and senior advocates working in the field of arbitration law from across the country. They engaged in deep discussions on arbitration-related laws and sought to prepare a roadmap for the future, considering the modern challenges. Judges from the district judiciary and lawyers attended the event physically, while many lawyers joined online via live streaming on YouTube.

The two-day conference discussed multiple aspects of arbitration law such as party autonomy and the supportive role of courts, challenges to arbitrators, the principle of legal precedent, the principle of equity, interim measures, anti-suit injunctions, statutory arbitration, termination of mandate and substitute arbitrator, formation of the award, costs and termination of proceedings, enforcement of the award, jurisdiction of courts, and limitation period, according to the release.