New Delhi / London, June 5 (UNI) Chief Justice of India Justice B R Gavai inaugurated the third International Conference on “Arbitrating Indo-UK Commercial Disputes: Synergizing India–UK Arbitration Practices” in London on Thursday.

The high-level event, hosted by the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) during London International Disputes Week, brought together legal luminaries, judges, policymakers, and commercial dispute resolution experts from both nations to strengthen ties in arbitration and mediation.

Delivering the inaugural address, CJI Gavai remarked, “India and the United Kingdom share a rich history, bound by the tradition of arbitration and mediation rooted in our common law heritage.”

The conference was also addressed by Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Lord Michael Briggs, Judge of the UK Supreme Court, Justice Hima Kohli, Supreme Court of India, Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK, and eminent lawyers including Harish Salve KC and Geeta Luthra, Vice President of ICA.

CJI Gavai reflected on India’s arbitration journey, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment to mediation as foundational. “Disputes are inevitable. What defines a strong commercial relationship is our commitment to resolve them efficiently,” he stated.

He emphasised India’s progress through amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (notably 2019), the establishment of the Arbitration Council of India, and the 2024 Bill proposing emergency arbitration and appellate tribunals.

He lauded the UK’s 2025 reforms in its Arbitration Act, promoting summary disposal and legal clarity.

Justice Gavai drew from key Indian rulings, including BALCO, Vijay Karia, Amazon versus Future Retail and Gayatri Balasamy, to emphasise judicial minimalism and finality in arbitration.

He noted, “When arbitral awards are upheld without unnecessary interference, it enhances predictability, business trust, and investor confidence.”

The CJI praised the growth of Indian institutions like DIAC, MCIA, and IIAC, while commending LCIA’s role as a global benchmark. He stressed the importance of collaboration between Indian and UK arbitration bodies to raise global standards.

Justice Gavai applauded the adoption of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and hybrid systems such as Arb-Med-Arb. He called the Bar Council of India’s recent move to allow foreign lawyers to advise on arbitration in India a “landmark reform” that balances global openness with domestic integrity.

CJI Gavai humorously outlined four transformative reforms he would introduce with a "magical wand".

“If I Had a Wand…,” CJI said, "I would make four reforms for India’s Arbitration Regime."

Finality of Arbitral Awards – Arbitration must be the final word, not an invitation for years of litigation.

Mainstream Institutional Arbitration -- The Arbitration centres should be the norm, not an exception.

Elimination of Delays -- Procedural fairness should not become a tool for tactical stalling.

Diversity in Arbitrators -- The arbitrator pool must reflect varied perspectives and backgrounds for better outcomes.

Chief Justice Gavai concluded by affirming India's unwavering commitment to becoming a preferred global seat for arbitration.

He said, “As India and the UK grow increasingly interconnected in commerce and law, our shared democratic values and legal traditions provide a strong foundation for a unified, efficient, and trustworthy dispute resolution system.”

The conference echoed a resounding call for legal harmonisation, technology-driven arbitration, and cross-border cooperation with the shared goal of easing court pendency and bolstering investor confidence through strong alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

The event brought together senior dignitaries and legal experts from both India and the UK, including Chief Justice of India B R Gavai (inaugural address), Lord Briggs of Westbourne, Judge of the UK Supreme Court (keynote address), Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK (special address), Justice Hima Kohli, Supreme Court of India, Harish Salve KC, Senior Advocate and International Arbitrator, Sujit Ghosh, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, Arun Chawla, Director General, ICA, Geeta Luthra, Senior Advocate and Vice President, ICA, Dr N G Khaitan, President of ICA and Senior Partner at Khaitan and Co, and Karishma Vora, Barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, London and Member of the ICA International Advisory Committee.

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