India arbitration leaders call for regulatory and scheduling reforms

During India ADR Week 2026, legal leaders called for significant reforms to the nation's arbitration ecosystem to improve efficiency and professional standards.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the six-year delay in the formation of the Arbitration Council of India, a regulatory body established by law in 2019. He urged the arbitration community to pursue self-regulation and professional standards rather than waiting for government action. Kant also proposed creating a cross-institutional public disclosure register for arbitrators and emphasized the need for predictability in cross-border disputes to avoid repetitive adjudication.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed the issue of delays caused by arbitrator availability. He noted that hearings are often scheduled months apart due to crowded schedules, undermining the speed that arbitration is intended to provide. Mehta suggested that institutions should adopt a mechanism to check an arbitrator's calendar before appointment to ensure they can conclude proceedings within statutory timelines. He also advocated for a greater shift toward institutional arbitration over ad hoc models.