Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)

The Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) was reconstituted in 2018 as a statutory arbitral institution attached to the Delhi High Court. It replaced the earlier Delhi High Court Arbitration Centre and was redesigned to provide a more professional, internationally competitive institutional arbitration infrastructure.

Institutional role

DIAC administers arbitrations under its own rules — the DIAC Arbitration Rules — which provide for:

• A structured appointment procedure for sole arbitrators and three-member tribunals
• A panel of empanelled arbitrators from which parties can select
• Fixed timelines for pleadings and hearings
• Emergency arbitrator provisions
• Expedited procedure for disputes below a specified threshold

As a court-established institution designated under the 2019 amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, DIAC can make arbitrator appointments under Section 11 — a function previously reserved for the High Court itself.

Significance

DIAC's establishment as a statutory body with court backing provides an important institutional alternative to ad hoc arbitration for commercial disputes in Delhi, which is one of India's primary arbitration seats. The High Court's involvement in its governance provides a quality signal to parties choosing a seat and institution.

Services

DIAC administers both domestic and international commercial arbitrations. Its facilities in Delhi provide physical hearing rooms and case management support. It also maintains a register of available arbitrators across sectors including construction, finance, intellectual property, and technology.

For an India-seated business dispute, see commercial and contract disputes and the guide to drafting an arbitration clause.