“Arbitration is a useful tool and it is an appropriate time to promote it,” said Mr. Firoze Andhyarujina, the Senior Advocate with the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court while introducing the seminar on ‘Emerging trends in international arbitration.’ The event was organized by World Trade Center Mumbai, Indian Arbitration Forum, Nishith Desai Associates, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, All India Association of Industries and Ernst and Young on March 13, 2015.

Mr Andhyarujina explained that arbitration can be conducted in either of the two methods - ad-hoc method or institutional method. “The new government has emphasized the ease of doing business in India. It not only means that one gets permissions from a single window system. It also means doing away with time consuming litigations, which frustrates dispensation of justice,”.

Mr Andhyarujina highlighted the importance of the report by Justice Mr. A.P. Shah which has influenced the proposed new arbitration law. “It is definitely on par with international rules and international laws of arbitration. Now the bill will focus on specialized courts dealing with commercial disputes which involve an amount of Rs 2 crore and above. These include intellectual property rights violations, international joint ventures and collaborations,”. As per the new bill, disputes between the joint partners in international arbitration will be addressed in Indian courts as per rules of international arbitration.

Mr. Vyapak Desai, Partner of Nishith Desai Associates highlighted that in 1996 India got its first unified act for domestic and international arbitrations. “Since 2012, the Indian judiciary has been recommending the litigating parties to opt for arbitration, thereby adopting a non-interventionary approach,”.

Mr. Sahil Kanuga, Senior Associate, Nishith Desai Associates highlighted that arbitration is an alternative form of dispute settlement. Arbitration allows disagreements between two parties to be decided outside the purview of courts. Speaking on the selection of arbitrators in the Indian context, Mr Kanuga mentioned that retired judges have been preferred mainly for their experience. “However, in international arbitration, there is increasing reliance on experts as against judges,” Kanuga added.

Mr Kanuga further observed that institutional arbitration has rules and experts in place, which adds certainty. “The world is moving towards institutional arbitration. Though, India has been following ad-hoc method, the international parties prefer institutional arbitration. Now, in India, the trend is changing and Indian clients prefer to settle arbitrations at Singapore, London and Hong Kong,” said Kanuga.

Both Desai and Mr. Kanuga emphasized the need for arbitration since conflict is on the rise in modern businesses. Another important factor for arbitration is the cost. “The losing party has to bear the cost of arbitration of the winning party. This would discourage frivolous arbitration,” said Mr. Kanuga.

Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, All India Association of Industries and Director - Projects, World Trade Center Mumbai, Mr. Firoze Andhyarujina, Senior Advocate, Bombay High Court and Supreme Court, Mr. Vyapak Desai, Partner, Nishith Desai Associates, Mr. Sahil Kanuga, Senior Associate, Nishith Desai Associates and Mr. Y. R. Warerkar, Executive Director, World Trade Center Mumbai

Mr Yogen Vaidya, Partner, Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services at Ernst & Young LLP said that India ranked 72 in the parameter of ‘efficiency of legal systems’ in the Ease of Doing Business. However, now with recent Supreme Court judgments on arbitration, the perception with regard to arbitration in India is changing.” According to Mr Vaidya, the right time to claim the costs, the methodology and reasonableness standards need to be followed. Various methodologies for calculation of damages depending on specific facts and circumstances will have to be adopted and followed,” said Vaidya. He also highlighted the role of forensic accountants and specialists when claiming damages and providing evidence in an arbitration proceeding.

Mr Aditya Kurian, Counsel, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) highlighted the various benefits offered by HKIAC to the arbitrating parties. “We are increasingly seeing Indian parties approaching HKIAC for arbitration in the interest of time and cost”, Kurian said. HKIAC deals with administration of arbitration, mediation and domain name disputes in international business. He spoke about the various advantages of HKIC’s service, which ensure cost-effectiveness, time-bound award, confidentiality in the settlement of disputes.

Earlier, Mr. Y.R. Warerkar, the Executive Director, World Trade Center, in his welcome address observed that in diverse judicial and cultural systems, different languages, economic and political climates creates significant obstacles to resolving international disputes. Arbitration provides an efficient and neutral means to resolve international disputes.

Mr. Aditya Kurian, Counsel, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Mr. Yogen Vaidya, Partner, Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services, Ernst & Young, Mr. Firoze Andhyarujina, Senior Advocate, Bombay High Court and Supreme Court, Mr. Y. R. Warerkar, Executive Director, World Trade Center Mumbai, Mr. Vyapak Desai, Partner, Nishith Desai Associates and Mr. Sahil Kanuga, Senior Associate, Nishith Desai Associates

“WTC in its key object to promote international trade and investments devotes attention to assist businesses in the conduct of international trade and investment effectively.” Warerkar said. The Centre offers a cohesive platform to its members to learn new business concepts and gain understanding of the various aspects of negotiation and dispute resolution in global commerce. Businesses operating in a complex global environment need to know how to safeguard their business interests as well as the pre-emptive steps they should take vis-à-vis their business counterparts.

Ms Rupa Naik, Director- Projects, World Trade Center Mumbai proposed the vote of thanks.