International conference on commercial arbitration and its magnitude with special reference to India as an emerging hub

Chandigarh, August 5, 2019: One day International Conference on Commercial Arbitration And Its Magnitude With Special Reference To India As An Emerging Hub was organized by Centre For Trade Laws And Dispute Resolution (CTDR) University Institute of Legal Studies in association with Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, University of Pepperdine, California conducted at University Institute of Legal Studies(UILS), Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Professor Rattan Singh Director, UILS, welcomed the dignitaries and inspired the future litigants in the field of arbitration.

A book titled Mediation and Negotiation in Trade and Commercial Conflicts(An Indian Perspective) published by Thomson Reuters and edited by Prof.(Dr.) Rajinder Kaur, Faculty Coordinator, was released by the dignitaries during the conference. She addressed the theme of the conference i.e. Commercial Arbitration and Its Magnitude With Special Reference To India As An Emerging Hub. She highlighted the intricacies of arbitration in different sectors and how India can be made a choice for the same.

In the keynote address, Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, Senior Advocate and Ex-Additional Solicitor General of India, Supreme Court of India redefined arbitration as an appropriate arbitration instead of alternative arbitration. In his address, he also traced different phases of arbitration since 1940s to present scenario. He proficiently elaborated on the challenges of international arbitration and domestic arbitration by citing many cases. He insisted the fact that mediation comes first before arbitration.

Dr. Sukhsimranjit Singh, Managing Director, Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law, California differentiated three levels of arbitration, including three aspects of arbitration from past (one should learn from India’s judicial system of Panchayat, Khap Panchayat and Lok Adalats), citing examples from present and aspiring a bright future of Indian Arbitrators.
Harcharan Singh, Chairman, Debt Recovery Tribunal, Chandigarh encouraged the students of UILS to pursue arbitration as a lucrative occupation especially in India.

The two technical sessions, later on were further divided into four different tracks. In session 1 Track-1 (Arbitration in India) was chaired by Prof. Sukesh C. Sharma , Track 2 (Arbitration in Different Sectors) by Prof. S.K. Tomar, Track 3 (International Commercial Arbitration) by Prof. Sarabjeet Kaur, Track 4 by Prof Rattan Singh. In session II, Track 1, (Arbitration in India), was chaired by Prof. Emanual Nahar, Track 2 (Arbitration in Different Sectors) was chaired by Prof. Sangita Bhalla, Track 3 (International Commercial Arbitration) by Prof. S.K.Tomar and Prof. Sukesh C. Sharma. Prof. Daljit Singh, Vice Chancellor at Rayat Bahra University and Senior Faculty were also present.
More than fifty scholars from eminent law universities and colleges presented their papers.