ICC Introduces 2026 Arbitration Rules as India Calls for Law Overhaul

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) brought its new Arbitration Rules into force on 1 June 2026. The rules aim to speed up proceedings by removing the mandatory Terms of Reference, strengthening early case‑management conferences, and adding a formal early‑determination mechanism. They also expand the expedited arbitration framework to allow quicker, lower‑cost resolutions for disputes of limited value or urgency.

At a Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) conference in New Delhi, India’s Attorney General R. Venkataraman urged a fundamental review of India’s Arbitration Act. He highlighted challenges when public‑sector entities face arbitration, including audit scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General and concerns about fairness and consistency of awards. Venkataraman cautioned against abandoning arbitration for mediation and advocated a hybrid dispute‑resolution framework drawing on multiple systems.