Event Report: Global ADR Summit 2026

Report Prepared by Ms. Kupilli Hanita (Member, MediateGuru; LLM Student at JGLS, OPJ)

The Global ADR Summit 2026, organised by MediateGuru, brought together leading voices from the judiciary, arbitration institutions, corporate legal departments, academia, and private practice to discuss the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in India and globally. Held from 18–22 February 2026, the summit served as a platform for meaningful dialogue on strengthening India’s position as a global hub for arbitration and mediation.

The event culminated in a high-level summit at the India International Centre, New Delhi, preceded by a week of affiliated ADR events hosted in collaboration with prominent law firms and institutions including Khaitan & Co, Jindal Global Law School, Arbivis Partners LLP, IIDRC, and Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies.

Through a combination of panel discussions, roundtables, and networking engagements, the summit explored contemporary challenges in arbitration, the future of mediation in India, and the policy reforms necessary to build a robust dispute resolution ecosystem.

The summit was sponsored by PreSolv360, Arbivis Partners and Equi Law Partners and we were honoured to have India International Arbitration Centre as Institutional Partner. We were grateful to Khaitan & Co for being Law Firm Partner. We appreciate JAMS and Careers in Arbitration as Supporting Organisation. We thank Asian International Arbitration Centre, IAMC Hyderabad, IIDRC to be our Knowledge Partners. We were delighted to have CADR, JGLS, OPJ, VIPS and IFAM as our Academic Partners. We appreciate The Bar Bulletin and A for Arbitration to be our Media Partners. Special thanks to team of YHS for being Content Partner and their support throughout the summit.

Opening Session

The summit formally commenced with an opening session attended by leading members of the judiciary and international arbitration community.

The Chief Guest, Hon’ble Mr. Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the increasing role of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing the growing complexity of commercial disputes and reducing the burden on traditional court systems.

The session also featured special addresses by Mr. W. Patrick McPhilamy III and Mr. Joe Tirado, both internationally recognised arbitrators and mediators and Dr. Ashu Dhiman, as MediateGuru's Chief Advisor. Their remarks highlighted global trends in arbitration and mediation, the importance of institutional credibility, and the need for India to develop efficient and reliable ADR frameworks capable of attracting cross-border disputes.

Panel Discussion I

From Draft to Destination: Will India’s Proposed Arbitration Bill Realize the Global Hub Vision?

The first panel discussion examined the potential impact of India’s proposed amendments to its arbitration framework and whether these reforms could position India as a competitive global arbitration hub.

The discussion was moderated by leading practitioners and featured an esteemed panel including Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, Judge of the Delhi High Court; Mr. Navin Kumar Singh, CEO of the India International Arbitration Centre; Mr. S. S. Ray, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India; Ms. Namita Shah, Co-Founder of PreSolv360; and Ms. Aaliya Waziri, Advocate at the Delhi High Court.

The panellists explored several issues surrounding India’s arbitration ecosystem, including judicial intervention, institutional arbitration, procedural efficiency, and the challenges faced by parties in enforcing arbitral awards. The discussion underscored that while India has made significant progress through legislative amendments and institutional initiatives, further reforms and consistent judicial support remain essential for achieving the vision of a globally competitive arbitration hub.

Panel Discussion II

Contemporary Developments in Mediation and How to Make India a Mediation Hub

The second panel focused on the growing importance of mediation as an effective and collaborative dispute resolution mechanism. With the enactment of the Mediation Act in India, the discussion centred on the opportunities and challenges associated with institutionalising mediation practices.

The panel brought together Hon’ble Mr. Justice Subramonium Prasad, Judge of the Delhi High Court; Mr. Joe Tirado, International Mediator; Mr. AJ Jawad, Registrar of the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC), Hyderabad; Ms. Mehak Oberoi, Legal Head (Hydro-APAC) at GE Vernova; Ms. Puja Anand, Senior Mediator; and Mr. Praveen Mahajan, Founder of Equi Law Partners.

Panellists highlighted the advantages of mediation in fostering dialogue and preserving commercial relationships, particularly in complex corporate disputes. The discussion emphasised the need for institutional capacity, professional training for mediators, and greater awareness among businesses regarding the benefits of mediation

ADR Week: Affiliated Events (18–22 February 2026)

In addition to the main summit, a series of affiliated events were organised throughout the week, each addressing different dimensions of arbitration and dispute resolution.

Day 1 – Arbitration: Emerging Issues, Institutions and Best Practices

Hosted by Khaitan & Co, the opening ADR week panel examined emerging challenges in arbitration practice and the role of institutions in ensuring efficiency and credibility.

The panel featured Mr. Sahil Narang, Partner at Khaitan & Co; Mr. Gaurav Pachnanda, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India; Mr. Joe Tirado, International Arbitrator; Ms. Mehak Oberoi, Legal Head (Hydro-APAC) at GE Vernova; and Mr. Navin Kumar Singh, CEO of the India International Arbitration Centre.

The discussion focused on procedural innovation, institutional arbitration frameworks, and best practices in managing complex cross-border disputes.

Day 2 – Roadblocks to India’s Emergence as a Global ADR Leader

The second day featured a panel hosted by the Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution at Jindal Global Law School.

Distinguished panellists included Hon’ble Ms. Justice Hima Kohli, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India; Ms. Urvashi S. Pathak, Senior Vice President and Head of Legal at Axis Max Life Insurance; Mr. Joe Tirado, International Arbitrator; Mr. Sahil Narang, Partner at Khaitan & Co; and Mr. Param Bhamra, Arbitrator and Founding Partner of MediateGuru.

The discussion identified structural challenges facing India’s ADR ecosystem, including procedural delays, limited institutional capacity, and the need for greater commercial awareness of ADR mechanisms.

Charting the Road Ahead: Building India’s Leadership in Global ADR

The second panel of the day addressed strategies for strengthening India’s position in the international ADR landscape.

The panel included Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hemant Gupta, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India; Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tejas Karia, Judge of the Delhi High Court; Ms. Mehak Oberoi, Legal Head at GE Vernova; Prof. Akash Gupta, Associate Professor at JGLS; and Ms. Naveli Reshamwalla, Counsel at Trilegal.

The conversation centred on policy reforms, institutional collaboration, and the importance of building global confidence in India’s arbitration framework.

The day concluded with a roundtable discussion titled “How India Can Become an ADR Leader?”, which allowed participants to engage in more interactive discussions on policy, institutional development, and legal education.

Day 3 – The State of Arbitration: Navigating Disputes Involving State-Owned Entities and MSMEs

Hosted by Arbivis Partners LLP, this panel addressed the complexities of disputes involving government entities and smaller enterprises.

The panel included Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajiv Shakdher, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Najmi Waziri, Mr. Ritin Rai, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, and Mr. Vinay Kumar Sanduja, Registrar of the India International Arbitration Centre.

Discussions highlighted procedural challenges in government-related arbitrations and emphasised the importance of ensuring fairness, efficiency, and accessibility for MSMEs involved in arbitration proceedings.

Day 4 – Arbitration Involving State-Owned Entities and MSMEs

A further discussion on similar themes was hosted by IIDRC, bringing together both corporate counsel and arbitration practitioners.

Speakers included Dr. Mukul Shashtry, Group General Counsel at Cube Highways; Mr. W. Patrick McPhilamy III, International Arbitrator and Mediator; Mr. Rajiv Malik, Legal Leader at LG Electronics India Ltd.; Ms. Mehak Oberoi, Legal Head at GE Vernova; and Mr. Zafar Khurshid, Partner at TKC Partners.

The panel explored how arbitration procedures can be designed to accommodate the realities of government and infrastructure disputes.

Day 5 – ADR in the New Age: Issues and Challenges

Hosted by the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, this panel examined emerging issues affecting the future of dispute resolution.

Panellists included Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.K. Sikri, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India; Hon’ble Mr. Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua, former Judge of the Gauhati High Court; Mr. Navin Kumar Singh, CEO of IIAC; Mr. W. Patrick McPhilamy III, International Arbitrator; Mr. AJ Jawad, Registrar of IAMC Hyderabad; Ms. Shruti Khanijow, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas; and Mr. Dhritiman Roy, Counsel at Khaitan & Co.

The discussion focused on technological developments, cross-border disputes, and evolving institutional frameworks.

Women in International Commercial Arbitration: Practice, Power, and the Indian Reality

The final panel of the summit addressed gender representation in international arbitration.

Speakers included Hon’ble Ms. Justice Rekha Palli, former Judge of the Delhi High Court; Ms. Payal Chawla, Founder, Jus Contractus; Ms. Shruti Khanijow, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas; Ms. Girija Krishnan Varma, Certified Mediator and Arbitrator (FCIArb); Dr. Richa Chaudhary, Dean at SGT University; and Ms. Pooja Tiwari, Founder of Anuneeti.

The panel highlighted the importance of increasing women’s participation in arbitration and promoting inclusive representation in global dispute resolution.

Conclusion

The Global ADR Summit 2026 successfully created a multidisciplinary forum for discussing the future of dispute resolution in India. By bringing together members of the judiciary, arbitration practitioners, corporate counsel, and academics, the summit facilitated meaningful discussions on legislative reforms, institutional development, and emerging trends in arbitration and mediation.

The event reaffirmed India’s growing ambitions to become a global ADR hub and underscored the importance of collaboration among institutions, policymakers, and practitioners in achieving this vision.