Judicialised Arbitrator Appointments in India: An Empirical Critique of Section 11
TrustBridge Dispute Resolution Dialogues No. 9
Speakers: Animesh Bordoloi, Dr. Prashant Narang
Date: November 21, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM IST
Format: Hybrid (in person/ online)
The event is open to all interested, but registration is mandatory. Please register at this link.
About the talk:
This discussion is based on a pioneering empirical study exploring how Indian courts exercise their powers under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
The session will unpack findings, based on data from the Bombay and Madras High Courts (2016–2024) and stakeholder interviews—which reveal that arbitrator appointments in India remain opaque, judicialised, and dominated by a narrow pool of retired judges. The discussion will highlight the implications of these trends for party autonomy, efficiency, diversity, and India’s aspiration to become a global arbitration hub, drawing comparative insights from Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK.
About the speakers:
Animesh Bordoloi, Senior International Case Counsel at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC)
Dr. Prashant Narang, Deputy Director of Research and Programs at TrustBridge Rule of Law Foundation
About Dispute Resolution Dialogues:
The TrustBridge Dispute Resolution Dialogues is a series of conversations dedicated to exploring key legal and policy challenges shaping the landscape of arbitration and dispute resolution.
As part of this initiative, we engage with experts and practitioners to foster deeper discussions on critical issues at the intersection of law, policy, and practice.
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