Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna advocates for prioritising women arbitrators in court appointments

Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna emphasized the importance of prioritizing the appointment of women among court-appointed arbitrators to address the criticism of arbitration being a male-dominated field. Speaking at the inaugural address of the ‘Bengaluru Alternative Dispute Resolution Week’, Justice Nagarathna highlighted the need to diversify the pool of arbitrators by including practitioners and sector-related experts, with a focus on women arbitrators.

Justice Aravind Kumar, another Supreme Court judge, discussed the challenges India faces in becoming a global arbitration destination. Issues such as legal and regulatory frameworks, cultural barriers, and competition from established international arbitration centers have hindered India’s progress in this area. Justice Kumar stressed the importance of improving the quality and efficiency of Indian arbitral institutions to attract international parties.

Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria of the High Court of Karnataka emphasized the need for the arbitration system to be accessible to all classes of litigants, not just businesses and the commercial sector. He called for transparency, dependability, and affordability in the arbitral process, ensuring that even smaller and less affluent litigants can benefit from arbitration.

The event highlighted the potential for India, particularly Bengaluru, to become a global hub for arbitration with the establishment of world-class arbitration facilities and the collaboration of legal professionals, policymakers, and businesses. By addressing the challenges and improving the accessibility and quality of arbitration services, India can enhance its position in the international arbitration landscape.