Credible dispute systems key to growth, says CJI

Chandigarh: The Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice Surya Kant, said on Saturday that India was entering a decisive phase in its legal and economic evolution where it must position itself as a credible global hub for resolving cross-border commercial disputes.CJI, who delivered the keynote address at the inauguration of Chandigarh International Arbitration Centre (CIAC) and the first India International Disputes Week (IIDW) 2026, said India's expanding global economic footprint required equally strong and trusted dispute resolution institutions. Addressing jurists, policymakers and legal practitioners, Kant noted the next phase of India's development will depend not only on economic growth, but also on the credibility of its legal framework for resolving international commercial disagreements. "The question before us is not merely whether India can participate in global commerce, but whether it can sustain it when disagreements inevitably arise," he said.Highlighting the realities of modern global trade, the CJI said disputes are an inevitable byproduct of economic expansion rather than a sign of weakness. In a rapidly globalising marketplace where contracts and investments span multiple jurisdictions, reliable dispute resolution systems are essential to investor confidence, he said. "In a mature economy, disputes are not avoided. They are resolved with credibility," he said, pointing out that international investors invariably asked two fundamental questions: where a dispute will be heard and whether the legal system guarantees fair protection of investments.The CJI acknowledged that India's arbitration regime once faced scepticism in international circles, largely due to concerns about delays and judicial intervention. However, he said, sustained legislative and judicial reforms over the past decade significantly strengthened the framework.Amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, he explained, have tightened timelines, reinforced neutrality standards, and clarified the scope of judicial oversight. Courts have simultaneously upheld the principle of minimal intervention while ensuring fairness and adherence to natural justice. "Credibility is not measured by the elegance of a statute but by the confidence it inspires in practice," he observed, adding that investors ultimately judged a system by whether arbitral awards were enforced predictably, arbitrators were appointed neutrally, and procedural timelines were respected. The CJI urged Chandigarh International Arbitration Centre to evolve into a globally credible centre rather than remain a mere administrative body. The CIAC, he said, must embody neutrality, efficiency and procedural integrity if it is to contribute meaningfully to India's aspiration of becoming a dependable seat for international arbitration. "If it does so, it will not merely serve this region but strengthen India's standing as a trusted jurisdiction for global dispute resolution," he noted.The CJI also highlighted mediation as an equally important pillar of modern dispute resolution. Referring to the Mediation Act, 2023, he said the law has provided statutory clarity and enforceability to mediation. "Mediation enables resolution without rupture," he remarked, explaining that businesses often prefer solutions that restore viability rather than merely determine legal rights. Speaking about the India International Disputes Week, the Chief Justice described the event as an important platform that must evolve beyond a ceremonial gathering into a forum for serious institutional dialogue.Concluding his address, the CJI said the success of India's dispute resolution ecosystem will not be measured by the number of laws passed or arbitration centres launched, but by consistent institutional performance. The week-long IIDW 2026 will host discussions on arbitration, mediation, litigation, digital evidence, third-party funding and institutional governance.