Arbitration Bar of India constitutes five task forces on ethics, AI, inclusion and others

The Arbitration Bar of India (ABI) has set up five expert task forces to address critical areas in the evolving arbitration ecosystem, including ethics, technology, treaty reforms, construction disputes and diversity in arbitrator appointments.

The announcement comes as ABI marks the first anniversary of its formation.

Each task force is led by senior members of the arbitration community and includes a mix of experienced practitioners and emerging voices. The task forces and their mandates are as follows:

Task Force I: Conduct of Arbitration – Code of Ethics

Co-Chairs

• Justice (Retd.) Rajiv Shakdher, Former Judge, Delhi High Court

• Shashank Garg, Senior Advocate

Members

• Aanchal Basur

• Dr. Amit George

• Moazzam Khan

Task Force II: Construction Arbitration Protocol

Co-Chairs

• Ratan Singh, Senior Advocate

• Atul Sharma

Members

• Sonal Kumar Singh

• Sameer Jain

Task Force III: Reforms in Investment Treaty Arbitration

Co-Chairs

• James J Nedumpara

• Shreyas Jayasimha

Member

• Mayuri T Agarwala

Task Force IV: Inclusion and Diversity in Arbitrator Appointments

Co-Chairs

• Payal Chawla

• Nandini Khaitan

Members

• Dr. Amit George

• Mayuri T Agarwala

Task Force V: Use of Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Arbitration

Co-Chairs

• Zal Andhyarujina, Senior Advocate

• Vikas Mahendra

Members

• Nandini Khaitan

• Vyapak Desai

• Naresh Thacker

In addition to the formation of task forces, the ABI highlighted that it has engaged in formal policy advocacy over the past year. This included submitting detailed representations to the Ministry of Finance concerning the Office Memorandum governing arbitration involving public sector undertakings. ABI raised concerns regarding provisions that could “compromise the autonomy of the arbitral process and dilute party autonomy in institutional arbitrations.”

The release noted that ABI has also submitted its comments on the Draft Amendment Bill to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, describing it as “an opportunity to align India’s arbitration framework with global best practices.” According to ABI, its responses aimed to ensure that proposed reforms “promote efficiency without undermining the core tenets of party autonomy and institutional neutrality.”

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