The 3rd Edition of Delhi Arbitration Weekend 2025 (DAW 2025) reflects the ongoing commitment of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) to building a robust and dynamic arbitration community in India. The event creates a platform that brings together some of the most influential minds in the field, including jurists, practitioners, and institutional leaders, to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on strengthening the practice of arbitration globally.
Over the years, DAW evolves into a global phenomenon, driven by the collective efforts of the Supreme Court of India, the High Court of Delhi, and DIAC. Together, they champion the institutional growth of arbitration in India, reinforcing the country’s position as a trusted, efficient, and preferred seat for both International and Domestic Arbitration.
As the first-ever High Court-annexed Institutional Arbitration Centre, DIAC plays a pivotal role in advancing arbitration practices in India. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, pre-established rules and procedures, an organised framework, equitable fee structures, and exceptional administrative and secretarial support, DIAC emerges as a key enabler of effective dispute resolution. It continues to act as a catalyst, ensuring the highest standards in the conduct of arbitration, both domestically and globally.
The event will commence with a welcome address by Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court followed by a keynote address from Stephen Gageler AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. The event will be graced by the Chief Guest Justice BR Gavai, Chief Justice of India.
This live report brings you real-time updates from the much-anticipated inauguration of DAW 2025, marking another milestone in India’s growing leadership in global arbitration.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya opens DAW 2025 with inspiring welcome address
Justice Upadhyaya warmly acknowledges the presence of international delegates, including Stephen Gageler AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, Judges of the Supreme Court of India, Judges from the Delhi High Court and other High Courts, senior advocates, members of the bar, and participants from across the globe. He emphasises that their presence underscores the truly global nature of arbitration as a language of justice that transcends national boundaries.
Reflecting on the evolution of arbitration, Justice Upadhyaya notes that in the past three years, the Delhi International Arbitration Centre has established itself as a premier platform for scholarly dialogue and institutional collaboration. The third edition of DAW is not only an academic gathering but also a reflection of India’s aspiration to emerge as a global hub for international arbitration.
He stresses the importance of party autonomy, institutional integrity, and timely dispute resolution, while also acknowledging challenges such as procedural delays, independence and impartiality of arbitrators, enforceability of awards, and the evolving role of courts. Justice Upadhyaya highlights the integration of artificial intelligence and other technologies in arbitration, noting that while AI can enhance efficiency, human adjudication remains central to delivering justice.
Justice Upadhyaya also touches upon India’s ambition to be a preferred seat for international commercial arbitration, emphasising the importance of a robust legislative, infrastructural, and judicial framework. He underscores the critical balance between investor rights, sovereign responsibilities, and environmental sustainability in investment arbitration.
Addressing the principle of party autonomy and the appointment of independent arbitrators, Justice Upadhyaya notes that while parties can structure arbitration appointments, safeguards are necessary to maintain the integrity of the arbitral process. He also highlights the importance of drafting enforceable awards, emphasising clarity, reasoning, and adherence to the New York Convention framework for the recognition and enforcement of foreign awards.
He concludes by expressing heartfelt appreciation to the organising committee of the Delhi High Court and Delhi International Arbitration Centre for their meticulous efforts in curating the event. Justice Upadhyaya invites all delegates to actively participate in the technical sessions over the next two days and to experience Indian hospitality rooted in the Sanskrit phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “the world is one family.”
Keynote Address by Stephen Gageler AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia
Justice Stephen Gageler AC begins his keynote by expressing his gratitude for being invited to speak at what he anticipates will be another highly successful Annual Arbitration Conference. He introduces his presentation titled “The UNCITRAL Model Law: A Dialogue Between the International and Domestic”. He explains that the concept of dialogue, often discussed in constitutional scholarship as the interplay between judiciary and legislature, is adapted here to describe the relationship between international and domestic spheres in shaping arbitration under the UNCITRAL Model Law. He outlines that he will present this dialogue in four stages.
Stage One: Creation of the UNCITRAL Model Law
He traces the origins of UNCITRAL back to the post-World War II period. He recounts the 1941 Atlantic Charter, where Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill committed to international collaboration, which later inspired the Declaration by United Nations in 1942. This foundation ultimately led to the creation of UNCITRAL in 1966, with a mandate to harmonise and unify international trade law. He highlights the representative nature of UNCITRAL, its diverse membership, and the practice of consensus decision-making, which ensures inclusion of perspectives across the globe. The focus from the start is on international commercial arbitration, with flexibility for domestic adoption.
He details the drafting process of the Model Law, from 1976 to its adoption in 1985, and the endorsement by the United Nations General Assembly to promote efficiency, consistency, and fairness in international commercial arbitration.
Stage Two: Domestic Implementation
Justice Gageler explains that once recommended to all states, the Model Law’s implementation varied across jurisdictions. Canada adopts it in 1986, followed by Australia in 1989, and India in 1996. He notes challenges in achieving uniform interpretation, as domestic judges often relied on local legal precedents without fully engaging with the international context. He emphasises the need for both courts and practitioners to interpret the Model Law through an international lens.
Stage Three: International Updating
He discusses the early 2000s initiative to update the Model Law based on domestic experiences. A working group drafts revisions in 2006, which are adopted and endorsed by the UN General Assembly. Key amendments address arbitration agreements, interim measures, and preliminary orders. Importantly, Article 2A is introduced, instructing courts to interpret the Model Law with regard to its international origins and to promote uniformity and good faith in its application. Justice Gageler emphasises that this ensures consistency across borders, aligning with the Model Law’s primary purpose.
Stage Four: Domestic Integration of the Updated Model Law
He concludes by reflecting on the ongoing dialogue between international and domestic spheres. He highlights that domestic courts now integrate the updated Model Law while considering its international origin, striving for uniformity and consistency in interpretation. This process strengthens both the domestic and global arbitration framework.
Justice Gageler underscores that arbitration, while offering neutrality, efficiency, and expertise, must balance procedural integrity with practical challenges. He stresses that technology, including AI, can assist but cannot replace human adjudicators, as the human element remains central to delivering justice. He also emphasises India’s potential as a global hub for international arbitration, noting the critical role of judicial support, institutional framework, and enforcement of awards.
He closes by stressing the importance of harmonising private interests with state responsibilities in investment arbitration, balancing economic growth with environmental protection, and ensuring uniform, fair, and enforceable arbitration practices globally.
Release of Delhi Arbitration Review 2025 published by Eastern Book Company
Plenary Address by Chief Guest B.R. Gavai, Chief Justice of India | “Judicial and Institutional Influence on the Evolution of International Arbitration in India”
Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai, delivers the plenary address at DAW 2025, focusing on the pivotal role of judicial and institutional frameworks in shaping the landscape of international arbitration in India. He highlights how judicial guidance, consistent interpretation of laws, and institutional support have strengthened India’s position as an emerging hub for international arbitration.
CJI Gavai emphasises that this gathering is not an ordinary event, highlighting that Delhi Arbitration Week is a rare platform organized by the judiciary itself, bringing together lawyers, judges, and international delegates for dialogue and collaboration in the field of arbitration. He underscores the unique nature of arbitration as a centuries-old mechanism of dispute resolution, where a neutral third party resolves conflicts rather than leaving them to prolonged litigation.
He emphasises the judiciary’s commitment to upholding party autonomy, ensuring minimal interference, and promoting efficiency in arbitral proceedings. He also underscores the importance of harmonising domestic practices with international standards to enhance predictability, enforceability, and global confidence in India as a preferred seat for arbitration.
The CJI celebrates the evolution of Delhi Arbitration Week into a platform that blends academic insight, practical expertise, and international collaboration, setting a benchmark for arbitration events globally.
The address reflects on key judicial interventions, institutional developments, and the collaborative efforts that have contributed to India’s evolving arbitration ecosystem, setting a forward-looking tone for discussions at DAW 2025.
The inaugural session of Delhi Arbitration Week 2025 concludes on a high note with a cultural evening featuring a mesmerising performance by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Padma Bhushan and Grammy Award winner. The performance adds a vibrant and celebratory touch, blending India’s rich musical heritage with the global gathering of arbitration professionals.
