Government has drafted Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to amend Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. 

• Amendment aims to provide boost to institutional arbitration, reduce court intervention in arbitrations and ensuring timely conclusion of arbitration proceedings.
  • Arbitration refers to an alternative dispute resolution method where the parties in dispute agree to have their case heard by a qualified arbitrator.

Arbitration Mechanism in India

• Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 governs the arbitral proceedings in India.
  • It was based on UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration 1985 and UNCITRAL Conciliation Rules, 1980.
  • Act has been amended in years 2015, 2019, and 2021.

Key Features of draft Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Omission of Conciliation: Amended Act will be called Arbitration Act, 1996 as provisions related to conciliation have been incorporated in Mediation Act 2023.
• Appointing an Emergency Arbitrator: To grant interim measures prior to the constitution of an arbitral tribunal.
• Institutional Focus: Promoting institutional arbitration as a preferred method over ad-hoc arrangements, thereby enhancing efficiency.
• Arbitration Council of India (ACI): Provides powers to create model rules of procedure for arbitral proceedings and recognize arbitral institutions.
• Video Conferencing: Allow arbitrations conducted via video conferencing.
• Establishing an Appellate Arbitral Tribunal: To handle applications against an arbitral award.