IIAM ADR Summit 2026: Reimagining ADR – Innovation, Technology & the Future of Justice
The Indian Institute of Arbitration & Mediation (IIAM), celebrated 25 years of excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution, thanks to the yeoman efforts of Mr. Anil Xavier & Ms. Iram Majid, by hosting the IIAM ADR Summit 2026 at, New Delhi. The Summit brought together an eminent gathering of judges, policymakers, arbitrators, mediators, corporate counsel, academics, and international experts to deliberate on the future of dispute resolution in India and beyond.
Against the backdrop of rapid technological advancement and evolving commercial realities, the Summit explored critical issues relating to arbitration, mediation, institutional reform, and digital justice, reaffirming India's growing aspirations to become a leading global ADR hub.
Distinguished Participants
The Summit was graced by an exceptional lineup of legal luminaries and thought leaders, including:
- Hon'ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India
- Hon'ble Mr. Justice Amanullah, Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Hon'ble Mr. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Legislative Department & Department of Legal Affairs, Government of India
- Senior Advocate Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India
- Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid, Supreme Court of India
Their participation, alongside international experts, senior government officials, institutional leaders, and corporate counsel, underscored the increasing importance of ADR in India's justice ecosystem
Chief Justice of India: Mediation Reform Must Move Beyond Legislation
One of the most significant messages emerging from the Summit concerned the continued delay in operationalising the Arbitration Council of India. While the Mediation Act, 2023 marked a historic step towards institutionalising mediation, concerns were expressed that the full potential of the legislation cannot be realised without a functioning regulatory framework.
The message was clear: Legislative reform is only the first step; institutional implementation must follow. The Mediation Council is expected to play a pivotal role in accreditation, quality assurance, training, and oversight. Its timely establishment is essential if mediation is to emerge as a mainstream and trusted dispute resolution mechanism across India.
Panel Discussion I
Arbitration in Transition: Innovation, Credibility & Global Perspectives
The first panel addressed one of the most pressing questions confronting the Indian arbitration ecosystem:
Can India position itself as a credible global arbitration hub?
The discussion focused on:
- Strengthening confidence in institutional arbitration
- Harmonising Indian arbitration practices with international standards
- Improving transparency in arbitrator appointments
- Building globally respected arbitration institutions
- Leveraging technology to improve efficiency and user experience
A recurring theme throughout the session was that legislative reforms alone cannot transform India into a preferred arbitration destination. Institutional credibility must be earned through consistency, professionalism, neutrality, and user confidence.
Justice Amanullah delivered one of the most candid and insightful assessments of India's arbitration landscape.
Confidence Deficit in Institutional Arbitration
Despite substantial legislative reforms and judicial support, many stakeholders continue to prefer ad hoc arbitration over institutional arbitration. The challenge, therefore, is not merely legal reform but building trust in institutions.
Finality Must Mean Finality
Justice Amanullah highlighted a fundamental paradox confronting arbitration. Parties choose arbitration seeking speed, certainty, and finality, yet arbitral awards often become the subject of prolonged court challenges. For arbitration to retain its value proposition, the principle of finality must be respected.
Arbitrator Appointments and Party Confidence
The discussion also touched upon concerns surrounding arbitrator appointments and the perception of "pick-and-choose" practices. Greater transparency, diversity, and neutrality in appointments are critical to enhancing confidence in the arbitral process.
Litigants Must Remain Centre Stage
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Justice Amanullah's address was his reminder that dispute resolution systems exist to serve litigants. Every reform in arbitration and ADR must ultimately be evaluated through the lens of accessibility, efficiency, affordability, and fairness for disputing parties.
Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid posed a question that resonated deeply throughout the Summit: Why do Indian parties continue to choose institutions such as SIAC, LCIA, and other foreign arbitration centres to resolve Indian disputes?
The issue extends beyond legal frameworks. It concerns confidence, institutional reputation, neutrality, procedural efficiency, and global perception. If India genuinely seeks to become an international arbitration hub, its institutions must inspire the same confidence enjoyed by established global centres.
Every dispute administered abroad represents not only an economic opportunity lost but also a reminder of the work still required to strengthen India's domestic ADR ecosystem.
Panel Discussion II
The Mediation Movement: From Courtrooms to Boardrooms
The second panel reflected the growing momentum behind mediation as a preferred dispute resolution mechanism.
The discussion explored:
- Implementation of the Mediation Act
- Corporate adoption of mediation frameworks
- Integration of mediation into commercial dispute management strategies
- Mediation's role in reducing judicial backlog
- Building a culture of consensual dispute resolution
A key takeaway was that mediation should no longer be viewed merely as a court-annexed process. Increasingly, it is emerging as a strategic business tool capable of preserving relationships, reducing costs, and delivering commercially practical outcomes.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva emphasised the importance of litigant awareness and strategic thinking in dispute resolution. He observed that parties often become overly focused on "winning" disputes, while losing sight of their underlying commercial objectives. The real measure of success is not merely securing a legal victory but achieving a meaningful and commercially viable outcome.
His remarks served as a timely reminder that effective dispute resolution should prioritise value creation, liquidity, business continuity, and practical solutions over adversarial triumph.
Panel Discussion III
Digital Dispute Resolution & AI: Enhancing or Disrupting Access to Justice?
Perhaps the most forward-looking conversation of the Summit centred on the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in dispute resolution.
The panel examined:
- AI-assisted dispute resolution
- Online arbitration and mediation platforms
- Digital evidence management
- Ethical implications of AI in adjudication
- Balancing technological efficiency with procedural fairness
Justice Dato' Mary Lim urged caution in the adoption of AI within dispute resolution processes. While acknowledging the transformative potential of technology to improve access, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, she emphasised that AI must remain a tool that supports decision-making rather than replaces human judgment.
The panel broadly agreed that neutrality, accountability, ethics, and human oversight must remain the cornerstones of justice, irrespective of technological advancements.
Three Defining Themes from the Summit
The Summit ultimately revolved around three strategic imperatives:
1. Building Trust in ADR Institutions
Without confidence in domestic institutions, parties will continue to gravitate towards foreign arbitration centres and traditional litigation.
2. Delivering Genuine Finality
Arbitration must provide meaningful closure and certainty rather than becoming another layer of litigation.
3. Embracing Innovation Responsibly
Technology and artificial intelligence should strengthen access to justice and improve efficiency while preserving the human values that underpin dispute resolution.
The IIAM ADR Summit 2026 demonstrated that India has entered a new phase in the evolution of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The debate is no longer about whether arbitration and mediation are necessary. The focus has shifted to strengthening institutions, building credibility, embracing technology responsibly, and ensuring that dispute resolution remains firmly centred on the needs of litigants and businesses.
The challenge before India is clear: Can India evolve from being an ADR-friendly jurisdiction into a globally preferred dispute resolution destination?
The discussions at the Summit suggest that the foundations are steadily being laid. The next chapter will depend not merely on legislative reforms, but on the ability of institutions, practitioners, and policymakers to translate vision into confidence, credibility, and results.
BUILD. ENABLE. SCALE. PROTECT.