In a significant move to bolster the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) ecosystem in Gujarat, the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre (GHAC) has announced the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of its new state-of-the-art building within the High Court campus. The ceremony is scheduled for February 28, 2026.
The event will be graced by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India, alongside Hon’ble Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The new facility is designed to meet the growing demands of both international and domestic arbitration and mediation.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
The proposed GHAC building is set to feature world-class infrastructure, including:
- 16 Arbitration Conference Rooms: Each room will be equipped with two dedicated break-out rooms.
- 7 Mediation Rooms: Specialized spaces for amicable dispute resolution.
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) System: A sophisticated digital framework to facilitate remote and tech-driven dispute resolution.
National Conference: “Institutional Arbitration at Crossroads”
To mark this occasion, GHAC, in collaboration with the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA), is organizing a Two-Day Conference on February 28 and March 1, 2026. The theme of the conference is “Institutional Arbitration at Crossroads: Challenges and the Way Forward.”
The conference aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including judges, arbitrators, advocates, and ADR experts. Key areas of deliberation will include:
- The conceptual framework of Institutional Arbitration vs. Ad hoc arbitration.
- Addressing issues of trust and capacity within the ADR framework.
- Ethical considerations and effective dispute resolution strategies.
- Essential parameters for drafting arbitral awards and ensuring enforceability.
- Evolving hybrid models such as Med-Arb and Arb-Med.
Distinguished Dignitaries
The ceremony and conference will see the participation of several high-ranking members of the judiciary and executive, including:
- Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aravind Kumar, Hon’ble Mr. Justice N. V. Anjaria, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
- Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sunita Agarwal, Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat and Patron-in-Chief of GHAC and GSLSA.
- Hon’ble Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Law & Justice, State of Gujarat.
- Hon’ble Shri Kaushik Vekariya, Minister of State (Law and Justice), State of Gujarat.
The GHAC noted that the response from stakeholders, particularly the Bar, has been “overwhelming,” with high numbers of online registrations reflecting the eagerness of the legal community to engage with the evolving ADR landscape in the state.
Event Details:
- Event: Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony & Two-Day Conference
- Theme: Institutional Arbitration at Crossroads: Challenges and the Way Forward
- Dates: February 28, 2026, and March 1, 2026
- Venue: High Court of Gujarat Campus, Ahmedabad
- Organizers: Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre (GHAC) & Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA)
