Foundation Arbitration Program
The IIDRC Edge Foundation Arbitration Program, is a one-day, practice-oriented training designed to give law students a structured, practical introduction to domestic arbitration in India. This condensed format retains the core conceptual and procedural content of the one day IIDRC Foundation Program, while emphasising clarity, engagement, and one focused drafting exercise on arbitration clauses and agreements, the single most practically useful skill for any law students and young lawyers entering the field.
The program is delivered by three tutors across five sessions spanning six hours, with a lunch break and two short breaks.
Instructor: Ms. Vediccaa Ramdanee + Ms. Adri Kashyap + Ms. Saasha Gandhi
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Date
08th August 2026
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Time
9.30 AM - 5.30 PM
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Course Duration
One Day (6 Teaching Hours)
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Practical Exercise
One - Arbitration Clause &
Agreement Drafting -
Certification
IIDRC Certificate in
Foundational Arbitration Practice -
Mode
Online
Program Philosophy
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Conceptual Clarity First
Participants should leave with a clear, structured mental map of what arbitration is, how it works in India, and where they as lawyers fit in.
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One Skill, Done Well
Rather than surface-level exposure to many skills, this edition focuses deeply on one practical output: drafting an arbitration clause and a standalone arbitration agreement.
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Career Orientation
Every session is framed around what young lawyers actually encounter — not abstract doctrine, but professional realities.
What Participants Gain
- A structured understanding of arbitration as a legal and commercial dispute resolution system.
- Working knowledge of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996—sufficient to navigate real matters at the entry level.
- A concrete drafting skill: the ability to draft and review arbitration clauses and standalone arbitration agreements.
- Familiarity with how arbitration proceedings unfold from commencement to award.
- Career guidance and honest insight from practising arbitration lawyers.
Certification
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All participants who attend the full programme and submit the drafting task receive the IIDRC Certificate in Foundational Arbitration Practice.
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Certified participants become eligible for Fellow Associate at IIDRC.
Curriculum Design
Introduction to Arbitration
- What arbitration is — and what it is not
- Core characteristics: consent, party autonomy, neutrality, finality
- Arbitration vs. litigation vs. mediation: when and why parties choose each
- Institutional vs. ad hoc arbitration: key differences
- Domestic vs. international arbitration: a brief orientation
- The role of an arbitration institution: IIDRC as a case study
The Indian Arbitration Framework
Structure of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
- Key amendments: 2015, 2019, 2021 — what changed and why it matters
- Mandatory vs. default provisions: what parties can and cannot alter
- Competence-competence (Section 16): the tribunal decides its own jurisdiction
- Minimal court intervention (Sections 5, 8, 9, 34, 37)
- Arbitration timelines under Section 29A: the 12-month rule and its implications
- Seat vs. venue: a practical and oft-confused distinction
Drafting the Arbitration Clause & Agreement
What is an arbitration clause? What is a standalone arbitration agreement?
- Why drafting matters: defective clauses and their consequences (pathological clauses)
- Essential elements of a well-drafted clause: seat, governing law, number of arbitrators, institution, language
- Optional elements: emergency arbitration, consolidation, confidentiality
- Common drafting mistakes: vague language, hybrid clauses, jurisdiction conflicts
- IIDRC’s model arbitration clause: structure and logic
Arbitration in Practice
How an arbitration actually begins: Notice of Arbitration and appointment of arbitrators
- The first procedural meeting and Procedural Order No. 1: what it covers
- Documentary evidence as the backbone of arbitral proceedings
- What an arbitral award looks like: components, reasoning, relief, costs
- Overview of challenge and enforcement: Sections 34 and 36 in brief
- The role of the arbitration institution throughout the process
Careers in Arbitration & Open Q&A
Career pathways: counsel, arbitrator, institution, in-house
- How young lawyers break into arbitration practically speaking
- The difference between knowing arbitration and practising it
- Empanelment at IIDRC: Associate Arbitrator eligibility post-certification
- Resources, reading, and next steps after today
Recommended Courses
The Arbitration Training
The Mediation Lab
Arbitration Training: Foundations & Practical Skills
ClauseCraft: The Art & Law of Drafting Arbitration Agreements
Arbitral Award Writing — Masterclass
Facets of Arbitration: Emergency Arbitration and Interim Measures
From Award to Recovery: Strategy & Execution in Arbitration Enforcement
International Commercial Arbitration: Law & Practice
Practical Understanding of Domestic Commercial Arbitration
Introduction to Mediation & Negotiation Practice
Mediation Advocacy for Counsel
Understanding Institutional Arbitration
International Arbitration Legal Framework
Tech, Data & AI Disputes in Arbitration
Financial Disputes and Institutional Arbitration
Certified Tribunal Secretary Programme: Practice, Ethics & Case Management
ODR & Technology in Arbitration: Tools for Digital Dispute Resolution
Testimonials
Frequently asked questions
Who is this training programme meant for?
Law students, young practitioners, in house legal teams, contract managers, compliance professionals, and anyone seeking a structured understanding of arbitration processes and procedures.
Do I need prior knowledge of arbitration or ADR?
No. The programme begins with arbitration fundamentals and progressively covers procedure, hearings, and awards, making it suitable for beginners and early stage practitioners.
What practical exposure will participants receive?
Participants engage in clause analysis, drafting exercises, and guided procedural discussions to understand how arbitration operates from initiation to enforcement.