ILSCA

Indian Law Society’ Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (ILSCA)

About ILSCA:

The ILS Centre for Arbitration (ILSCA) was established on 3rd December 2016 by the Governing Council of the Indian Law Society. This Centre is established with the sole purpose of providing facilities for settlement of disputes through different methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Instituional Arbitration and Institutional Mediation:

There is a movement amongst legal communities all over the world and India is no exception – to encourage the culture of institutional arbitration in India, which will go a long way to redress the institutional and systemic discontent that has seriously affected the growth of arbitration.

Currently in the Indian context, most of the parties chose to proceed with ad hoc arbitrations, particularly with regard to domestic arbitrations. In ad hoc arbitration, the parties have the choice of drafting their own rules and procedures, to fit the needs of their dispute.

Institutional arbitration, on the other hand, is in which a specialized institution, intervenes and assumes the functions of aiding and administering the arbitral process, to resolve the disputes between the parties according to the rules of such institution. Basically, the contours and the procedures of the arbitral proceedings are determined by such institutions, who frame their own rules for facilitating institutional arbitration. Such institutions also provide qualified arbitrators, domain experts, empanelled with the institution.

Currently, besides the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration, Mumbai, there is no such Centre in Maharashtra, which can cater to parties who can opt for institutional arbitration. The Management of the Indian Law Society recommended launching of the Centre to facilitate Institutional Arbitration and Institutional Mediation. It will be a joint effort between ILSCA and the domestic and international business communities located in and around Pune and in Maharashtra generally.

ILSCA is a neutral, independent, non-profit organization, which will facilitate the impartial administration of arbitration proceedings.

ILSCA is a first-of-its-kind arbitral and mediation institution in India, attached to ILS Law College which is a premier institution in the country, acclaimed for quality legal education with a prodigious history of nearly 100 glorious years of history.

Aims & Object of ILSCA:

ILSCA is committed to promote a cordial and rational settlement of disputes between parties. It aims to create an environment in which people can work together to find long-term solutions to conflicts and tensions.

ILS envisaged ILSCA as a trustworthy, independent, efficient and transparent Arbitration Centre, wherein the disputant parties could resolve disputes- by taking recourse to various methods like Ad-hoc Arbitration and also Institutional Arbitrations International and Domestic Commercial Arbitration: Arb-Med-Arb, Med-Arb, Mediation, Negotiation and Conciliation. ILSCA will be responsible to provide apposite facilities to assist parties to resolve their disputes through these different methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Facilities

ILSCA is gearing itself to provide the necessary infrastructure, both corporeal as well as administrative services for conducting Ad-hoc as well as Institutional Arbitration, effectively. ILSCA is situate in a separate designated building which has arbitration hearing rooms; break out rooms; arbitrator’s lounge and a business center for the smooth running of the proceedings.

ILSCA undertakes to provide all the necessary organizational services to the disputant parties, like settling fees of Arbitrators and Mediators; arranging dates for Conferences and Meetings between the Arbitrators and the Parties and their counsel; and also organizing dates for Conferences and Meetings between the Mediators the Parties and their counsel. ILSCA will also be acting like a registry/ depository of pleadings, documents and correspondence etc.

ILSCA is in the process of appointing well-trained personnel for the said purpose. ILSCA intends to provide a full-proof quality control mechanism which in course of time will make ILSCA institutional arbitration and institutional Mediation a most dependable dispute resolution system.

Ultra-modern infrastructural facilities

ILSCA is well equipped with facilities for effective use of technology such as cost saving procedures for e-filing, provision for on line dispute resolution, provision for hearings by teleconference/video conference etc. These facilities will ensure registration of disputes on line, which in turn facilitate instant transmission of voluminous papers relevant for arbitration. Video conferencing facilities will expedite recording of testimony of witnesses and experts and also hasten the arbitration proceedings.

Apart from providing an ultramodern, futuristic physical and technological infrastructure ILSCA has a designated separate library with an exclusive collection of books on Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation- which is made available to the Arbitrators, Mediators and counsels. 

ILSCA Rules for Institutional Arbitration and Institutional Mediation

ILSCA is in the process of making rules for facilitating Institutional Arbitration and Institutional Mediation at the Centre.

ILSCA Rules for Institutional Arbitration and Institutional Mediation along with the Code of Conduct of Arbitrators and Mediators are based on the guidelines issued by various domestic and international Institutes. The ILSCA Rules for Institutional Arbitration are based on the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, amended up to 2015 and UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Under the ILSCA Institutional Arbitration Rules and Institutional Mediation Rules, dispute resolution is scheduled to commence and conclude within a time frame.

The Rules provide for submission of the claim to the Centre – appointment of Arbitrators/Mediators; fixing of date for Conference amongst disputants and arbitrators; arrangements of dates; time line for passing of final arbitral award and time line for mediation settlements etc.

Panel of Arbitrators and Panel of Mediators:

ILSCA Proposes to generate a panel of Arbitrators and Mediators, who are known for their integrity, impartiality and expertise. Parties may choose an Arbitrator or a Mediator from the Panel. Or can have their own Arbitrator or Mediator appointed for the purposes of their dispute being resolved,

Trainings envisaged under ILSCA

ILSCA also proposes to provide training through workshops, training programs and courses to members of the legal fraternity and students of law who have an interest in Arbitration, in collaboration with other professional institutes, wherever necessary, for accrediting Arbitrators.

Introductory courses – One day session on each of the following topics:

  • Introduction to different methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Overview of Status of Domestic Arbitration in India
  • Overview of Status of International Commercial Arbitration
  • Arb-Med-Arb(AMAR)
  • Med-Arb
  • Conciliation
  • Negotiation

Advanced Training courses in Arbitration:

  • Certificate Course In Arbitration : This certificate course aims to develop a thorough understanding in the working mechanisms of Arbitration
  • Through class room lectures and simulated exercises of arbitration
  • Training course for students of law , Lawyers and Judges – regarding the nuances of drafting of Arbitral Award
  • Training courses to become an efficient Arbitrator
  • Several courses on conducting Arbitrations and Mediations,
  • Drafting an Arbitral Award and many more.

Many other training programmes are foreseen to be conducted under ILSCA – and are under construction.

Training Programmes in Mediation

  • Training courses to become a certified Mediator
  • Mediation Training:

The 48 hours of Mediation Training Program at ILSCA offers an opportunity to the participants to become and effective negotiator and a skilled mediator. The training in Mediation will be provided experienced, certified Master trainers in Mediation – who will introduce the participants to the concept and the theory of Mediation with an opportunity to practice the mediation process for resolving disputes through a series of interactive presentations, role play simulations and real life case studies.

ILSCA’s Activities done thus far Under ILSCA since its Establishment:

2017

  1. 1.Training programme on Mediation and Principles of Domestic & International Arbitration in association with Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution Trust (PACT),  19th January 2017 – 22nd January 2017
  2. Two day International Conference on Contemporary Issues in International Arbitration. August, 2017 – 4th and 5th August 2017

The Conference witnessed a series of panel discussions on a variety of topics including:

  • International Arbitration and Domestic Arbitration: The Distinction
  • Selecting an Arbitral Seat: Key Considerations
  • Evidence in International Arbitration: Practice and Procedure
  • Role of Courts in International Commercial Arbitration
  • Abuse of Process in International Investment Arbitration
  • India as an International Commercial Arbitration Hub – The Challenges
  • The Conference saw participation of stalwarts in the field of Arbitration – to mention a few :-
    • Mr. Hiroo Advani, Founding Partner, Advani & Co.,
    • Mr. Rishab Gupta, Counsel, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Dr.
    • Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo, Director, Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre of Arbitration,
    • Mr. Andrew Battisson, Partner, Allen and Overy,
    • Mr. Vyapak Desai, Nishith Desai and Associates,
    • Ms. Shaneen Parikh, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas,
    • Mr. Philip Teoh, Partner and Head of Practice, Azmi and Associates, Mr. Ratnadeep Roychowdhary, Partner, AZB Partners,
    • Ms. Dharshini Prasad, Associate, Wilmer Cutler Pickering and Hale LLP,
    • Mr. Vivek Kapoor, Senior Associate, Stephenson Harwood,
    • Mr. Pranav Mago, Head (South Asia) SIAC,
    • Mr. Promod Nair, Advocate, Arista Chambers,
    • Mr. Shreyas Jayasimha, Partner, Aarna Law,
    • Mr. Prabhas Ranjan, Associate Professor, South Asian University,
    • Mr. Raj Panchmatia, Partner, Khaitan and Co.,
    • Mr. Tejas Karia, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas,
    • Mr. Ngangom Junior Luwang, Senior Partner, Kocchar and Co.,

2018

  1. ILS Centre for Arbitration (ILSCA) in association with Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution Team (PACT) organized a four-day workshop on “Domestic & International Arbitration and Principles of Mediation”. The workshop was organised from 20th January 2018 to 23rd January 2018.
  2. National Mediation and Negotiation Competition– Intercessions-second Edition –  In association with PACT, January 2018
  3. Intra-College Mediation Competition, September 2018
  4. Free Mediation Camp in association with CMA, November 2018
  5. ILSCA 48-hours Mediation Training Program, Nov.-Dec. 2018

2019

  • Workshop on ADR Methods- Being Resolution Ready in association with PACT, January 2019
  • ILSCA-PACT Inter-College Mediation Competition- Intercessions 2nd Edition, January 2019
  • Upcoming-event ILSCA Arbitration Week, from 15th February 2019 to 18th February 2019

ILSCA Team

Mrs. Sathya Narayan

Director, ILSCA
Alumni of ILS Law College: Completed graduation in law from ILS Law College:
Masters in Law from the University of Pune

Publications :

  1. Edited and wrote the Introduction to an anthology of selected articles by Professor S.P. Sathe –titled “Selected Works of S.P. Sathe”. The selected works is published as a set of three volumes, by Oxford University Press, New Delhi in 2015. (ISBN-13 : 978-0-19-569415-4, ISBN-10 : 0-19-569415-5)
  2. Edited a book titled as “Mulla on the Law of Insolvency in India (Tagore Law Lectures) LexisNexis India, 2013, 5th Edition, (ISBN : 978-81-8038-772-2)
  3. “Tort Law in India”, the National Monograph published by Wolters Kluwer Law International, Netherlands, 2012, (ISBN/ISSN 9041145702, ISBN 13: 9789041145703). The monograph is a part of the series “International Encyclopedia of Laws”. Published Kluwer Law International.
  4. Edited a book titled “Revisiting Kesavananda Bharati”,along with Dr. Sanjay Jain, (2011 Edition, Eastern Book Company (ISBN – 93-5028-188-0
  5. Designed and Edited the first volume of ILS Law Review, published by the Indian Law Society, Pune in fond memory of late Professor S.P. Sathe. The first Law Review was released on 9th March 2008.
  6. Edited the ILS Law College Platinum Jubilee Commemoration Volume, along with Dr. S.P. Sathe, titled as “Liberty, Equality and Justice: Struggles for a New Social Order”- 2003, EBC Publishing (P) Limited, Lucknow.

Ms. Anwita Dinkar

Research Associate, ILSCA
Anwita is a graduate in Law from MMM’s SCLC under University of Pune.
She completed her LL.M. in Business Laws from ILS Law College in 2017.

Publications:

Anwita’s following papers are published in peer-reviewed journals:

  1. Non-Conventional Methods of Education: For Peace, Development and Social Transformation
  2. Corporate Culpability for Human Rights Violations
  3. Inadequacy of Laws to Prohibit Animal Tests to Manufacture Drugs
  4. Alternatives to Animal Tests Conducted for Manufacturing of Drugs and Need for a Corresponding Legislation
  5. Understanding Legal Fictions in a Statute

Ms.Manjusha Gurjar

Admin In-charge , ILSCA
Manjusha has completed her M.Sc. in Statistics. She has an inclination towards research and a sound understanding of research methodology.
She has studied and analyzed the cases related to Section 375 & 376 of the Indian Penal Code (Offence of Rape), filed in Pune District Court between the period – January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2015. She has been assisting Ms. Sathya Narayan with the project titled “Social Action Litigation”

 

Contact:

ILS Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (ILSCA)
Law College Road (Chiplunkar Road), Pune 411004,
Maharashtra,India.
E-mail: ilsca@ilslaw.in
Phone: 020-25676866
020-25652072