{"id":300678,"date":"2023-09-04T13:30:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T08:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=300678"},"modified":"2023-09-08T18:07:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T12:37:52","slug":"npac-14th-annual-international-conference-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/09\/04\/npac-14th-annual-international-conference-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic and International Arbitration only differ in dispute resolution mechanism, not in essence: Justice Vibhu Bakhru at 14th Annual International Conference 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Nani Palkhivala Arbitration Centre (\u2018NPAC\u2019) conducted 14th<\/span> Annual International Conference 2023 on \u2018Recent Advances and Developments in Global Arbitration\u2019 on September 1st<\/span> and 2nd<\/span> at Shangri-La\u2019s-Eros Hotel, New Delhi.<\/p>\n

The NPAC constantly strives to educate relevant stakeholders on the benefits of institutional arbitration as a desirable method of dispute resolution. It institutionalises effective measures for the growth of arbitration laws in India and to build an efficient and competent arbitral regime.<\/p>\n

The agenda of the Conference included paper presentations by eminent practitioners of Arbitration law from all over the world, partners, associates of domestic and foreign law firms, as well as panel discussions on advances and developments in arbitration in the global scenario with focus on the specific themes of the conference.<\/p>\n

The Conference was divided in two- days session on 1st<\/span> and 2nd<\/span> September, 2023.<\/p>\n

September 1st<\/span>, 2023 (6:30 to 8:00 pm)<\/p>\n

On 01-09-2023, there was a fireside chat on the topic \u2018The Holy Grail of Excellence in Legal Services – What is the Way Forward for India?\u2019<\/p>\n

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Panelists for the Chat Session:<\/p>\n

Justice Vibhu Bakhru, Judge, Delhi High Court and Chairperson of the Arbitration Committee of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC); Mr. V.K. Rajah, International Arbitrator, former Judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore and former Attorney General of Singapore; Mr. Gaurav Pachnanda, Senior Advocate at Supreme Court of India and Barrister, Fountain Court Chambers, London and Singapore; Ms. Pallavi Shroff, Managing Partner and Head, Dispute Resolution Practice of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.; Mr. Alex Taylor, Senior Clerk, Fountain Court Chambers, London and Singapore.<\/p>\n

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The welcome address was given by Arvind P. Datar<\/span>, Senior Advocate, Director, NPAC. Alex Taylor begins the panel discussion as a moderator of the fireside chat on the topic \u2018the holy grail of Excellence in Legal Services- what is the way forward for India?<\/p>\n

Alex Taylor<\/span> was the moderator<\/span> of the fireside chat.<\/p>\n

Justice Vibhu Bakhru<\/span> discussed the developments in Delhi High Court and pointed that the developments are not recent such as DIAC established in 2014. He said that Domestic arbitration and International arbitration are not different. It is just the dispute resolution mechanism which is different.<\/p>\n

VK Rajah<\/span> said that the focus today is on commercial world, but we need to see the entire ecosystem. Hence, clearing of backlog is going to be painful in comparison to other G20 countries. He also said that there should be right culture for commercial arbitration. On the question of backlog of cases, he said that India has done extremely well in the past 10 years but that is not enough in clearing the backlog. He also talked about liberalisation and how it affects India and how international firms can dominate the market unless the arrangement is done intelligibly.<\/p>\n

Pallavi Shroff<\/span> praised the Delhi High Court for functioning in hybrid mode. On the question of unique requirements for parties challenging in India, she talked about challenges in cases of International clients, fear of backlog of cases in international clients have been seen lot of times. She pointed that there is need of equality at the Bar and the letting go of subconscious biased notions. Ms. Shroff also agreed with Mr. VK Rajah regarding the Rules made by BCI, how they are not well thought through and it goes against Rules laid down by Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

Gaurav Panchananda<\/span> said that \u201cour bigger aspiration is that India becomes arbitration friendly and thrives in such ecosystem\u201d. He said that greater attention is required for building domestic arbitration ecosystem.<\/p>\n

September 2nd<\/span>, 2023 (9:30 am to 5:30 pm)<\/p>\n