Nani Palkhivala Arbitration Centre to host its 16th Annual International Conference from September 5-6

The Nani Palkhivala Arbitration Centre (NPAC) will be hosting its 16th Annual International Conference on "Navigating Arbitration in the Era of Digitisation and Reform" on September 5-6, 2025 in New Delhi.

The conference will explore the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in the digital age, highlighting the impact of technological innovation, reform-driven best practices, and India’s emergence as a global arbitration hub.

This year’s conference explores critical areas that are reshaping the arbitration landscape, evolving judicial approaches, legislative reforms, technological challenges, and contract complexities.

From dissecting the implications of the English Arbitration Act, 2025 to exploring how generative AI redefines evidentiary standards, this platform aims to foster deep engagement with the future of arbitration in India and beyond.

The forum brings together global legal minds and leading arbitration practitioners to analyse the practical, philosophical, and procedural shifts across jurisdictions.

The sessions will challenge conventional boundaries and equip stakeholders with a forward-looking, adaptable, and commercially intelligent approach to dispute resolution.

The two-day conferencce will be conducted at The Oberoi, New Delhi, Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, Delhi Golf Club, Golf Links, New Delhi 110003

As was done in 2024, Fountain Court Chambers will host a Fireside Chat on "Advocacy and Process: Arbitration versus Court" on September 5.

The event will be presided over by Justice Manmohan, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and Lord Justice Underhill, Judge, Court of Appeal, England and Wales.

On September 6, before the technical sessions begin, the conference will be inaugurated by Justice Philip Jeyaratnam, Judge, Supreme Court of Singapore and President, Singapore International Commercial Court. It will also feature remarks by N.L. Rajah, Senior Advocate, Madras High Court, Director, NPAC; Senior Advocate Arvind P Datar, Director of NPAC; and Payal Chawla, Founder of Jus Contractus and Director of NPAC.

The conference is divided into the following four technical sessions:

• Technical Session I: Modification of Arbitration Awards: An International Perspective chaired by Justice Prathiba M Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court. The panelists speaking at this session include Nicholas Lingard, Partner, Freshfields, Singapore; Rebecca James, Partner, Linklaters, Singapore & United Kingdom; Aditya Singh, Partner, White & Case, Singapore; KV Krishnaprasad, Barrister, One Essex Court, United Kingdom.

• Technical Session II: The English Arbitration Act 2025: Lessons for India by Sherina Petit, Partner, Stewarts Law, United Kingdom, Director, NPAC. The panellists speaking at this session include James Howells KC, Atkin Chambers, United Kingdom; James Collins, Partner, Candey, United Kingdom; Phillip D’Costa, Partner, Penningtons Manches Cooper, United Kingdom; Shruti Raina, Partner, Law Offices of Panag & Babu, New Delhi.

• Technical Session III: Evidence in the Age of Generative AI chaired by Pallavi Shroff, Managing Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. The panelists speaking at this session include Mark McNeill, Partner, Quinn Emanuel, United States; Mahesh Rai, Director, Drew & Napier, Singapore; Smitha Menon, Partner, Wong Partnership, Singapore; Mohit Abraham, Chief Legal Officer, Peak XV Partners.

• Technical Session IV: Enforcement of Standard Form Contracts:

  Navigating Legal Complexities and Balancing Commercial Considerations chaired by Binsy Susan, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., Director, NPAC. The panelists speaking at this session include Lopamudra Rao, General Counsel, Meesho Ltd; Ritesh Khosla, General Counsel, Sony Pictures, India; Siddharth Sharma, General Counsel, Tata Sons; Blossom Hing SC, Director, Drew & Napier, Singapore.

A special session - "March of Law" will be convened by Sidhant Goel, Senior Partner, SIM AND SAN.

To register for the NPAC 16th Annual International Conference, follow the links provided below.

For Individual Registration, click here.

For Organisation Registration, click here.

International delegates are requested to email to npacdelhi@gmail.com to register for the Conference.

For student applicants, the last date for completion of the registration process for is 20th August 2025. The numbers of seats for students are limited to 50 only, on a ‘first come first serve basis’. Email to npacdelhi@gmail.com with your student Id Proof to receive your Registration Link.

[View brochure for more details]