Solicitor General (SG) for India Tushar Mehta on Saturday sounded a clarion call to make India a global hub for arbitration..In particular, he called for steps to be taken to ensure that it becomes both the seat and the venue of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice..The SG said that the Narendra Modi-led government has taken the issue seriously through consistent support."To ensure we reach a stage where bar associations do not only help in getting disputes resolved, but also where India is both a preferred seat and venue of arbitration, should be goal for all of us. The government is committed to this goal," he said.Pertinently, he said that arbitration as a concept began in India, owing to which we do not need to learn it from any other country."Friends, there are many specialized Bars all over the world, including American Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Section, Singapore Law Society Arbitration Scheme, International Bar Association, et cetera which are aimed at tackling these unique challenges. We have not just drawn from these examples because arbitration, we don't need to learn from any other country because it is my firm belief that arbitration as a concept has its origin in India," he said..Therefore, we have our own version of fraternity devoting themselves exclusively to arbitration, SG Mehta said."I believe that this represents a pivotal step towards standardizing the elevating practice of arbitration across our nation. I hope that Arbitration Bar of India will cultivate a dedicated cadre of professionals who are not only expertly trained in the substantive and procedural dimensions of arbitration, but are also deeply committed to the principles of consistency, professionalism and ethics," he added..The SG was speaking at the inauguration of the Arbitration Bar of India (ABI) held on Saturday at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.Union Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, former Supreme Court judge Justice Hemant Gupta, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and ABI President Gourab Banerji also graced the occasion.The SG in his address said that previous governments had not taken arbitration seriously, and that the country's reputation took a hit as a result. But that has changed since 2014, he stated."Country has entered into an exciting era of a new legal regime. Arbitration for last several decades was not seen as full-time practice and government had also not given its much heed earlier and our reputation took a hit. However, present government since 2014 took it seriously and has been consistent to promote arbitration through consistent support to make India a global and local arbitration hub and it has borne fruit," the SG opined..Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani in his address said,"The Indian arbitration scene has preachers from outside and explorers from inside. Its position needs to be elevated on the global map."He also stressed that the ABI will not be an 'old men's club'."This bar will not be an old men's club. Everyone will be invited. Everyone are foot soldiers and midwives and there are no gates here," he said..'Arbitrate in India' is a key facet of 'Make in India': External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.[Follow our live-coverage of the event]
Solicitor General (SG) for India Tushar Mehta on Saturday sounded a clarion call to make India a global hub for arbitration..In particular, he called for steps to be taken to ensure that it becomes both the seat and the venue of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice..The SG said that the Narendra Modi-led government has taken the issue seriously through consistent support."To ensure we reach a stage where bar associations do not only help in getting disputes resolved, but also where India is both a preferred seat and venue of arbitration, should be goal for all of us. The government is committed to this goal," he said.Pertinently, he said that arbitration as a concept began in India, owing to which we do not need to learn it from any other country."Friends, there are many specialized Bars all over the world, including American Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Section, Singapore Law Society Arbitration Scheme, International Bar Association, et cetera which are aimed at tackling these unique challenges. We have not just drawn from these examples because arbitration, we don't need to learn from any other country because it is my firm belief that arbitration as a concept has its origin in India," he said..Therefore, we have our own version of fraternity devoting themselves exclusively to arbitration, SG Mehta said."I believe that this represents a pivotal step towards standardizing the elevating practice of arbitration across our nation. I hope that Arbitration Bar of India will cultivate a dedicated cadre of professionals who are not only expertly trained in the substantive and procedural dimensions of arbitration, but are also deeply committed to the principles of consistency, professionalism and ethics," he added..The SG was speaking at the inauguration of the Arbitration Bar of India (ABI) held on Saturday at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.Union Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, former Supreme Court judge Justice Hemant Gupta, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and ABI President Gourab Banerji also graced the occasion.The SG in his address said that previous governments had not taken arbitration seriously, and that the country's reputation took a hit as a result. But that has changed since 2014, he stated."Country has entered into an exciting era of a new legal regime. Arbitration for last several decades was not seen as full-time practice and government had also not given its much heed earlier and our reputation took a hit. However, present government since 2014 took it seriously and has been consistent to promote arbitration through consistent support to make India a global and local arbitration hub and it has borne fruit," the SG opined..Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani in his address said,"The Indian arbitration scene has preachers from outside and explorers from inside. Its position needs to be elevated on the global map."He also stressed that the ABI will not be an 'old men's club'."This bar will not be an old men's club. Everyone will be invited. Everyone are foot soldiers and midwives and there are no gates here," he said..'Arbitrate in India' is a key facet of 'Make in India': External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.[Follow our live-coverage of the event]
