The Indian Law Society’s Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (ILSCA) achieved several significant milestones during the period 2025–26, reaffirming its growing stature and institutional credibility in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in India. These developments reflect ILSCA’s continued commitment to strengthening institutional arbitration and mediation frameworks and enhancing access to justice.
1. Empanelment as an Institutional Mediator by the Bombay High Court
ILSCA has been officially empanelled as an Institutional Mediator on the Panel of Mediators maintained by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court.
Further, the name of ILSCA has been included in the Panel of Mediators of the High Court Mediation Monitoring Sub-Committee in Goa.
This empanelment represents a significant recognition of ILSCA’s institutional capacity, professional standards, and expertise in mediation. It reinforces ILSCA’s role in promoting mediation as an effective, efficient, and consensual mode of dispute resolution within the judicial system.
2. Referral of Arbitration Petitions by the Bombay High Court
In a landmark development at the beginning of 2025, the Hon’ble Bombay High Court referred 52 arbitration petitions to ILSCA to be conducted in accordance with the ILSCA Institutional Arbitration Rules, 2020.
Under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the High Court is empowered to appoint arbitrators when parties are unable to mutually agree on the constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal. By referring these matters to ILSCA, the High Court has effectively recognized and endorsed the Centre’s institutional framework, rules, and its capability to administer arbitrations with fairness, neutrality, and procedural efficiency.
This development marks a decisive step towards strengthening institutional arbitration in India and reducing reliance on ad hoc arbitral proceedings.
3. Referral of Matters for Institutional Mediation
The Main Mediation Centre of the Bombay High Court referred five matters to ILSCA for resolution through mediation, to be conducted in accordance with the ILSCA Institutional Mediation Rules, 2020.
These referrals further demonstrate judicial confidence in ILSCA’s mediation framework and contribute meaningfully to the promotion of structured, institution-led mediation processes.
Looking Ahead
Collectively, these milestones underscore ILSCA’s growing role in advancing institutional ADR in India and align with the national objective of establishing India as an arbitration- and mediation-friendly jurisdiction.
ILSCA remains committed to providing world-class dispute resolution services and continues to play a vital role in enhancing access to justice through institutional ADR mechanisms.
