The Gujarat High Court emphasized the need for greater participation of women and technical experts in arbitration proceedings to enhance diversity and domain expertise.
Gujarat HC Advocates for Inclusive Arbitration Panels
The Gujarat High Court has urged stakeholders in the arbitration ecosystem to actively include more women arbitrators and technical experts in proceedings, highlighting the importance of diversity and specialized knowledge in delivering effective dispute resolution. The court observed that arbitration panels often lack gender balance and domain-specific expertise, which could impact the quality and legitimacy of awards.
Judges emphasized that institutional arbitration rules and party appointments should consciously promote inclusivity. The court noted that the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 does not prescribe qualifications that exclude women or sector specialists, and stakeholders should leverage this flexibility. Reference was made to the growing global emphasis on gender diversity in arbitration, including initiatives such as the Delhi International Arbitration Centre’s guidelines.
Legal practitioners are advised to consider balanced tribunal compositions, especially in complex commercial and infrastructure disputes requiring technical inputs. This direction may influence institutional policies and party strategies in arbitrator appointments going forward.