Jabalpur, March 14, 2026: Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, successfully hosted a conference titled “Evolution of Arbitration in India: Today’s Scenario, Emerging Challenges & Proactive Reforms” on March 14, 2026. The conference brought together eminent members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, academicians, and students to deliberate on the rapidly evolving arbitration landscape in India and its implications for the future of dispute resolution.
The event witnessed the gracious presence of distinguished luminaries including Hon’ble Shri Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Hon’ble Shri Justice Vivek Rusia, Administrative Judge, Madhya Pradesh High Court; Hon’ble Shri Justice Vinay Saraf, Judge, Madhya Pradesh High Court; Hon’ble Shri Justice Tejas Karia, Judge, Delhi High Court; and Shri Siddharth R. Gupta, Advocate, Supreme Court of India. Their insights and perspectives enriched the discussions and set the tone for meaningful engagement on arbitration reforms and challenges.
Leadership and Organization of the Conference
The programme was organised under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of DNLU, and Dr. Praveen Tripathi, Registrar. The event coordination was handled by Shri Shashank Pathak, Assistant Professor of Law, and Ms. Shruti Tiwari, Assistant Registrar, whose efforts ensured the successful execution of the conference.
Delivering the Welcome Address, Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue between the Bench, Bar, and academia in shaping the future of India’s legal system. He highlighted that institutions like DNLU play a vital role in nurturing young legal minds and promoting scholarly engagement in emerging areas such as arbitration and commercial dispute resolution. He also expressed gratitude to the distinguished judges and speakers for their valuable presence and guidance.
Chief Guest Address by Justice N. Kotiswar Singh
The conference featured the Chief Guest Address by Hon’ble Shri Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge of the Supreme Court of India. His Lordship spoke about the evolving role of the judiciary in safeguarding constitutional values and protecting individual liberties. He stressed that the rule of law must remain grounded in fairness, reasoned decision-making, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by citizens.
Justice Singh also encouraged aspiring lawyers and scholars to uphold high ethical standards in the legal profession and contribute meaningfully to strengthening India’s justice delivery system.
Justice Vivek Rusia Highlights Importance of Procedural Fairness
Speaking as the Guest of Honour, Hon’ble Shri Justice Vivek Rusia, Administrative Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, underlined the importance of procedural fairness and administrative accountability within the justice system. He emphasized that timely and effective adjudication plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust in judicial institutions.
Justice Rusia also urged young law students to approach the legal profession with integrity, discipline, and a strong commitment to public service, highlighting the responsibility lawyers hold in upholding justice.
Justice Vinay Saraf on Judicial Clarity and Constitutional Values
Addressing the gathering as a Distinguished Guest, Hon’ble Shri Justice Vinay Saraf, Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, reflected on the judiciary’s role in ensuring clarity, fairness, and adherence to constitutional values in adjudication.
He emphasized that judicial reasoning must remain principled and accessible, particularly in cases involving individual autonomy and fundamental rights. Justice Saraf further stressed the need to balance legal certainty with compassion and constitutional morality in judicial decision-making.
Justice Tejas Karia on India’s Growing Role in Global Arbitration
In his Keynote Address, Hon’ble Shri Justice Tejas Karia, Judge of the Delhi High Court, discussed India’s expanding role in the global arbitration ecosystem. He noted that strengthening institutional arbitration and maintaining judicial consistency are key to enhancing India’s credibility as an international arbitration hub.
Justice Karia also highlighted the role of technological innovation and modern legal practices in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms in India.
Advocate Siddharth R. Gupta Shares Insights on Arbitration Practice
The keynote session also featured Shri Siddharth R. Gupta, Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, who shared valuable insights drawn from his extensive practice before the Supreme Court and various High Courts. He discussed the rapid evolution of arbitration law in India and emphasized the growing need for efficiency, institutional support, and specialized expertise in handling commercial disputes.
Shri Gupta also encouraged law students to actively explore arbitration as a dynamic and globally relevant area of legal practice, highlighting the increasing opportunities in the field.
Engaging Interaction and Conclusion of the Session
The session concluded with an engaging interaction and Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to seek guidance and insights from the distinguished speakers, making the conference both informative and interactive.
The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Praveen Tripathi, Registrar, who expressed sincere gratitude to the dignitaries, speakers, organisers, and participants for contributing to the success of the inaugural session.
The conference’s inaugural session set a thoughtful and inspiring tone, reinforcing DNLU Jabalpur’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue on contemporary legal developments and strengthening collaboration between the judiciary, the Bar, and legal academia.