The Gujarat High Court has called for increased representation of women and technical experts as arbitrators, noting that only 29.97% of current appointments are women, urging parties, counsel, and institutions to act inclusively.
The Gujarat High Court has issued a significant direction urging parties, legal counsel, and arbitration institutions to promote greater inclusion of women and technical experts in arbitrator appointments. The call follows judicial observation that women constitute only 29.97% of appointed arbitrators, a figure deemed insufficient for achieving diversity and balanced dispute resolution.
While perusing arbitral appointment data, the court emphasized that diversity enhances the legitimacy and effectiveness of arbitration. It recommended proactive measures such as maintaining gender-balanced panels, encouraging institutional guidelines for inclusion, and ensuring that technical expertise is prioritized alongside legal qualifications, particularly in complex commercial disputes.
For practitioners, this direction reinforces the need for intentional inclusion in arbitration clauses and tribunal formation. Law firms and corporate legal departments are advised to adopt internal policies that reflect these principles, ensuring compliance with emerging judicial expectations on equitable representation in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
