This conference is in the backdrop of India’s growing international economic influence, triggering an aspiration to become a favoured arbitration destination in a globalised world dominated by transnational investment and trade. A consequence of globalisation is the rise in disputes, with contesting parties increasingly turning to arbitration for redressal. India’s growth as a favoured arbitration destination depends on a receptive legal environment, and largely forms the substance of the conference.

09.30-10.00    Registration

10.00hrs to10.30Hrs    Inaugural Session

Moses Manoharan, Chairman, Global Dialogue Forum

H.E. Ruchi Ghanashyam, High Commissioner of India to UK

The Right Hon. Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales (2013-2107)

10.30hrs to 12.00 hrs

SesChair: Charles Béar QC, Fountain Court Chambers, London, UK

Speaker: Manish Aggarwal, Partner, Three Crowns LLP, London, UK

Speaker: Ravindra Shrivastava, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India and former Advocate General of Chattisgarh, India

Speaker: Shreyas Jayasimha, Advocate, Arbitrator, Mediator, Aarna Law LLP, Bangalore, India

Speaker: Karthik Balisagar, Managing Director, FTI Consulting, London, UK

Speaker: Ashleigh Brocchieri, Deputy Counsel, International Court of Arbitration, Paris

17.00 hrs

Closing Remarks

Professor Dan Sarooshi QC, Essex Court Chambers, Professor of Public International Law, University of Oxford, UKsion One: The Changing Landscape of Indian Arbitration in the Global Economic Environment 

The panel will discuss India’s responses to the evolution of critical aspects of international arbitration

Chair: Professor Stavros Brekoulakis, The School of International Arbitration, Queen Mary University of London, UK 

Speaker: Dipen Sabharwal Q.C., Partner, White & Case LLP, London, UK

Speaker: Ashish Prasad, Senior Litigation Partner, Economic Laws Practice, Mumbai, India

Speaker: Kunal Vajani, Head of Chambers, BlackRobe Chambers and Court Member (India), ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris, France

Speaker: Wendy J.Miles Q.C., Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, London, UK

12.00hrs to 13.00 hrs    Lunch 

 13.00hrs to14.30 hrs         

 Session Two: Arbitration Amidst Competing Global Geopolitical Visions

This panel will discuss new trends in international arbitration and how emerging economic power blocs are coping with the challenges.

Chair: Shai Wade, Partner, Stephenson Harwood LLP, UK 

Speaker: Fereshte Sethna, Senior Partner, DMD Advocates, Mumbai, India

Speaker: Helen Brown, Legal Counsel, Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague

Speaker:Pranav Mago, Founder and CEO, ELF Partners Pte Ltd, Singapore

14.30 hrs to 15.00hrs     Afternoon Break

15.00hrs to 17.00hrs

Session Three: Challenges and Opportunities facing India’s bid to be an International Arbitral Hub

This panel will consider India’s aspiration to establish itself as a leading arbitral centre.