Gujarat High Court and GHAC Arbitration Week 2026 to Foster Institutional Arbitration Ecosystem

The Gujarat High Court, in collaboration with the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre (GHAC), has announced the inaugural GHAC Arbitration Week 2026, a three-day conference scheduled from 4 to 6 September 2026 at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. With the theme “Building Gujarat’s Institutional Arbitration Ecosystem” and the tagline “Three Days – Three Stakeholders – One Vision,” the event aims to position GHAC as a premier arbitral institution and to catalyse the growth of institutional arbitration in India. The opening ceremony will take place on 3 September 2026, featuring Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Minister of State for Law & Justice Kaushik Vekariya.

The conference will bring together an impressive roster of Supreme Court and High Court judges, senior government law officers, and leading domestic and international arbitration practitioners. Sessions will cover developments in arbitration law, institutional arbitration practices, investment treaty arbitration, private international law, and the role of technology and artificial intelligence in dispute resolution. Registration opens on 5 August 2026 through the High Court and GHAC websites, and participation is on a payment basis with limited seats.

A Gathering of Legal Luminaries

The event’s opening day, 4 September, will commence with a keynote address by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. This will be followed by a panel examining the post-2015 amendment era and the new IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest, featuring Justice Tejas Karia of the Delhi High Court, former Supreme Court Judge Justice M.R. Shah, and others. A dedicated session on institutional arbitration practices will include representatives from the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the LCIA, and the ICC International Court of Arbitration, alongside senior practitioners.

A special guest address by Vijaya Kumar Rajah SC, former Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Singapore and former Attorney General of Singapore, is scheduled for the afternoon of 4 September. The second day, 5 September, will feature a guest address by Justice L. Nageswara Rao, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, followed by sessions on investment treaty arbitration, bilateral investment treaties, and the future of investor-state dispute settlement. Another panel will examine the rules of private international law in international commercial arbitration, with speakers including Vijaya Kumar Rajah SC, Darius Khambata (Senior Advocate), Thomas Williams KC, and Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo Nadarajah.

Focus on Institutional Arbitration

The central theme of GHAC Arbitration Week 2026 is the promotion of institutional arbitration as a robust alternative to ad hoc arbitration. The Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre, established to provide efficient, impartial, and technology-enabled dispute resolution, sees this event as a springboard for becoming a preferred venue for both domestic and international arbitrations. Sessions will compare the practices of leading arbitral institutions and explore how India can learn from global best practices. The presence of high-level government officials underscores the state’s commitment to creating a favourable legal environment for business and investment through alternative dispute resolution.

Technology and AI in Arbitration

A standout session on the concluding day, 6 September, will explore the intersection of technology and artificial intelligence with arbitration. Moderated by Senior Advocate Devang Nanavati, the panel includes Nakul Dewan (Senior Advocate and King’s Counsel), Baiju Vasani (Barrister and Arbitrator, Twenty Essex), Sameer Jain, Rishab Gupta, and Aditya Singh (Partner, White & Case, Singapore). This session is expected to address how AI tools can assist tribunals in document review, legal research, and even decision-making, while also discussing the ethical challenges and the need for regulatory frameworks. Given the rapid digitisation of court processes in India, this discussion is particularly timely.

Investment Treaty and Private International Law

The second day’s sessions on investment treaty arbitration will feature N. Venkataraman, Additional Solicitor General of India, and Senior Advocate Arvind P. Datar, alongside other experts. They will analyse recent developments in bilateral investment treaties and the evolving framework for investor-state dispute settlement. The private international law panel will delve into the rules governing cross-border commercial arbitrations, including jurisdictional issues, applicable law, and enforcement of awards. These topics are critical for practitioners advising multinational clients and for understanding India’s position in the global arbitration landscape.

Valedictory Session and Vision for India’s Arbitration Regime

The concluding day will also feature a valedictory session titled “What changes must India bring into the arbitration regime?” addressed by Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani. This session is anticipated to outline a reform agenda, potentially covering amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, to reduce court intervention, expedite proceedings, and align with international standards. Earlier, a panel titled “A Judge’s Wish List of What the Law Ought to Be” will be moderated by Senior Advocate Saurabh Soparkar, featuring Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal of the Gujarat High Court, and former Supreme Court Judges Justice R.V. Raveendran, Justice A.K. Sikri, and Justice A.P. Shah.

Registration and Participation Details

Registration for GHAC Arbitration Week 2026 will be conducted online exclusively through the High Court of Gujarat and GHAC websites. Links will be active from 5 August 2026, and registration is on a payment basis with seats subject to scrutiny and availability. The event is open to practicing advocates, law officers and advisers of public sector undertakings, industrial units, associations, law firms, and arbitrators on the panels of other arbitration institutions. Lunch and tea/coffee will be provided, but no accommodation facilities are available.

Conclusion

GHAC Arbitration Week 2026 represents a significant step toward strengthening India’s institutional arbitration framework. By bringing together the judiciary, government, and international arbitration community in a single forum, the event aims to foster dialogue, share best practices, and build a cohesive ecosystem that can handle the growing volume of commercial disputes. For legal professionals, this conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from leading experts, network with peers, and gain insight into the future of dispute resolution in India and beyond. The focus on technology, institutional practices, and investment arbitration signals a forward-looking approach that is essential for India to compete as a global arbitration hub.