The Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) is a statutory arbitral institution established by the Delhi High Court, administering domestic and international commercial arbitrations under its own rules.
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.
DIAC administers arbitrations under its own rules — the DIAC Arbitration Rules — which provide for:
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.
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.
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.
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Arbitration is a binding process where an arbitrator decides the dispute after hearing both sides, similar to a private court. Learn how it works, when it fits, and how awards are enforced in India.