The Arbitration Bar of India (ABI) has set up five expert task forces to address critical areas in the evolving arbitration ecosystem, including ethics, technology, treaty reforms, construction disputes and diversity in arbitrator appointments. .The announcement comes as ABI marks the first anniversary of its formation..Each task force is led by senior members of the arbitration community and includes a mix of experienced practitioners and emerging voices. The task forces and their mandates are as follows:.Task Force I: Conduct of Arbitration – Code of EthicsCo-ChairsJustice (Retd.) Rajiv Shakdher, Former Judge, Delhi High CourtShashank Garg, Senior AdvocateMembersAanchal BasurDr. Amit GeorgeMoazzam Khan.Task Force II: Construction Arbitration ProtocolCo-ChairsRatan Singh, Senior AdvocateAtul SharmaMembersSonal Kumar SinghSameer Jain.Task Force III: Reforms in Investment Treaty ArbitrationCo-ChairsJames J NedumparaShreyas JayasimhaMemberMayuri T Agarwala.Task Force IV: Inclusion and Diversity in Arbitrator AppointmentsCo-ChairsPayal ChawlaNandini KhaitanMembersDr. Amit GeorgeMayuri T Agarwala.Task Force V: Use of Artificial Intelligence and Technology in ArbitrationCo-ChairsZal Andhyarujina, Senior AdvocateVikas MahendraMembersNandini KhaitanVyapak DesaiNaresh Thacker.In addition to the formation of task forces, the ABI highlighted that it has engaged in formal policy advocacy over the past year. This included submitting detailed representations to the Ministry of Finance concerning the Office Memorandum governing arbitration involving public sector undertakings. ABI raised concerns regarding provisions that could “compromise the autonomy of the arbitral process and dilute party autonomy in institutional arbitrations.”The release noted that ABI has also submitted its comments on the Draft Amendment Bill to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, describing it as “an opportunity to align India’s arbitration framework with global best practices.” According to ABI, its responses aimed to ensure that proposed reforms “promote efficiency without undermining the core tenets of party autonomy and institutional neutrality.”.Read Press Release
