Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Procedure

Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Procedure (PGDAP) 

A Professional Specialized Skill Training Program by Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI)

• Eligibility: Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with Diploma or Graduation appearing or passed.

• Total Fees: Rs. 7,500/-
  (Everything Included from Admission, Course Fees and Delivery of Certificate, no additional Fees Apart from it)

• Mode: Online

• Study Material:  Will be provided through Learning Dashboard/Portal

• Learning Type: Self Paced

• Duration:  3 Months (Preferably, but can be completed anytime as soon as you give the Exam)

• Enrollment:  Any Time, there is no Fixed Enrolment Date or Day. A candidate can choose any time and the enrolment will be processed real time.

• Exam: One Online Exam, MCQ and Subjective Type Questions of 100 Marks. Passing Marks 40%. If unsuccessful, you can give additional two attempts.

• Procedure: Fill the Apply Now Form →  Pay the Requisite Amount of Fees by Clicking Pay Now Button → Then Click on Payment Confirmation button and fill the form with all the Details → Then login to the Dashboard.

Course Overview

The efficacy of alternative dispute resolution lies not merely in substantive legal arguments, but heavily within the procedural framework that governs it. Arbitration is designed to be a flexible, swift, and cost-effective alternative to traditional litigation. However, this flexibility can quickly become a liability if the procedural machinery is misunderstood or mismanaged. The Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Procedure (PGDAP), offered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is a comprehensive, advanced-level training program meticulously structured to master the procedural lifecycles of both domestic and international commercial arbitrations.

While many academic courses focus on the theoretical jurisprudence of arbitration, the PGDAP is rigorously practice-oriented. A significant majority of arbitral awards challenged and set aside in courts suffer from procedural irregularities—such as violations of natural justice, improper constitution of the tribunal, or failure to adhere to agreed procedural timelines. This program is engineered to eliminate those pitfalls. It provides participants with a profound understanding of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the UNCITRAL Model Law, and the institutional rules that dictate how an arbitration must be conducted from start to finish.

Throughout this extensive program, candidates will navigate the critical chronological phases of an arbitral proceeding. The curriculum exhaustively covers the pre-arbitration phase, including the precise requirements for invoking arbitration and seeking interim measures from courts. It then transitions deeply into the core proceedings—case management conferences, establishing procedural orders, handling evidence without the strict confines of the Evidence Act, and conducting fast-track arbitrations. Finally, it addresses the post-award phase, focusing on the correction, interpretation, challenge, and enforcement of arbitral awards.

The PGDAP is tailored for legal professionals, corporate counsel, and business leaders who require an authoritative command over dispute resolution mechanics. By focusing explicitly on procedure, the IAI ensures that participants are not just passive observers of the law, but active, competent practitioners capable of steering complex commercial disputes toward enforceable, legally sound conclusions. This diploma acts as a critical bridge, transforming foundational legal knowledge into high-level procedural expertise.

Course Structure and Modules

The tentative module are as follows and the module can be subjected to changes based on the decision as provided by IAI Board of Skill Studies:

Module 1: Foundations of Arbitration and Procedural Frameworks

• Jurisprudential basis of Alternative Dispute Resolution and UNCITRAL Model Law.

• The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996: Scheme, scope, and key amendments.

• Ad-hoc versus Institutional Arbitration: Procedural differences and rule applications.

• The intersection of the Limitation Act and arbitration proceedings.

Module 2: Commencement and Pre-Arbitral Procedures

• Drafting the Arbitration Agreement and the doctrine of severability.

• Invocation of Arbitration (Section 21) and statutory notice requirements.

• Interim measures by the Court (Section 9) before and during arbitral proceedings.

• The procedure for the appointment of Arbitrators (Section 11) and handling deadlocks.

Module 3: Constitution and Jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal

• Independence and impartiality of Arbitrators: Disclosure requirements and the Red/Orange lists.

• Procedure for challenging an Arbitrator and substitution mechanisms.

• The doctrine of Competence-Competence (Section 16): Ruling on tribunal jurisdiction.

• Interim measures ordered by the Arbitral Tribunal (Section 17).

Module 4: Conduct of Arbitral Proceedings and Evidence

• Equal treatment of parties and determination of the rules of procedure.

• Filing of Statement of Claim, Defense, and Counter-Claims: Timelines and amendments.

• Case Management Conferences (CMCs) and drafting Procedural Orders.

• Recording of evidence, document production, and cross-examination procedures.

Module 5: Fast Track Procedures and the Arbitral Award

• Navigating Fast Track Arbitration (Section 29B): Deadlines and documentary proceedings.

• Form, content, and making of the Arbitral Award.

• Decision-making by a panel of arbitrators and dissenting opinions.

• Costs of arbitration, interest allocation, and settlement awards.

Module 6: Recourse Against Awards and Enforcement

• Correction, interpretation, and additional arbitral awards.

• Grounds and procedural technicalities for setting aside an award (Section 34).

• Appeals under the Arbitration Act (Section 37).

• Execution and enforcement procedures for domestic and foreign arbitral awards.

Importance of Doing this Course

In the high-stakes environment of commercial dispute resolution, substantive legal rights mean very little if they cannot be procedurally enforced. The primary reason arbitral awards are contested, delayed, or ultimately annulled in higher courts is due to procedural missteps during the arbitration itself. Doing this course provides professionals with an indispensable tactical advantage by focusing exactly on where arbitrations succeed or fail: the procedure.

The PGDAP fills a critical void left by traditional legal education, which heavily prioritizes case law over practical mechanics. Understanding how to legally outmaneuver an opponent through procedural applications—such as effectively utilizing case management conferences, enforcing strict timelines, or properly objecting to jurisdictional overreach—is what separates a theoretical lawyer from an effective arbitration practitioner.

Furthermore, as India rapidly positions itself as a global hub for international commercial arbitration, the demand for professionals who understand the granular procedures of institutional arbitration is soaring. Corporate entities can no longer afford the financial drain of procedurally flawed arbitrations that end up back in the court system. By completing this diploma, candidates demonstrate to law firms, corporations, and clients that they possess the specialized capability to conduct flawless, watertight proceedings that result in universally enforceable awards, saving immense time, capital, and legal exposure.

Career Prospects

Holding a Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Procedure elevates a professional's standing in the legal and corporate sectors, unlocking advanced career opportunities that require deep procedural competence.

Dispute Resolution Practice in Law Firms: Elite law firms require associates and senior practitioners who can independently manage the procedural lifecycle of a dispute without constant partner supervision. PGDAP graduates are highly sought after to lead the drafting of procedural orders, manage complex evidentiary phases, and navigate statutory timelines under the Arbitration Act, making them critical assets to specialized litigation and ADR teams.

Corporate In-House Counsel: Multinational corporations and public sector undertakings (PSUs) face a constant influx of commercial disputes. In-house legal teams need professionals who can proactively manage the company's arbitration portfolio, ensure procedural compliance, and strategically instruct external senior counsel. This diploma equips corporate lawyers with the procedural insight needed to safeguard the company’s commercial interests efficiently.

Tribunal Secretaries and Arbitral Administrators: Arbitral institutions and senior independent arbitrators frequently hire tribunal secretaries to assist in the smooth administrative and procedural conduct of arbitrations. A deep understanding of arbitration procedure is the primary prerequisite for this highly coveted role, which provides unparalleled exposure to complex, high-value commercial disputes.

Independent Arbitration Practice: For legal professionals seeking to establish an independent practice or transition into acting as arbitrators themselves, a master-level understanding of procedure is mandatory. This course provides the foundational confidence required to accept appointments, conduct hearings fairly, and draft awards that withstand judicial scrutiny.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI) has engineered the delivery of the Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Procedure to be highly accommodating, ensuring that rigorous professional advancement is accessible to dedicated individuals regardless of their geographical location or current professional commitments.

Eligibility This advanced program requires candidates to possess Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with Diploma or Graduation appearing or passed. This carefully considered eligibility criterion ensures that law students in their final years, practicing advocates, corporate managers, contract specialists, and technical experts (such as engineers and architects) can all gain access to this vital procedural training.

Total Fees The comprehensive investment for the PGDAP is Rs. 7,500/-. The IAI is strictly committed to financial transparency. This is an all-inclusive fee structure covering every aspect of the program: initial admission processing, full access to all course modules and digital materials, examination fees, and the physical delivery of your final Post Graduate Diploma Certificate. There are absolutely no additional fees or hidden costs apart from this singular payment.

Mode and Study Material The program is delivered entirely Online, bringing world-class procedural training directly to your workspace. Upon successful enrollment, candidates are granted immediate access to a centralized Learning Dashboard/Portal. All required Study Material, including detailed module notes, procedural checklists, statutory references, and practical templates, will be provided exclusively through this secure digital environment.

Learning Type and Duration Recognizing the demanding schedules of modern professionals, the PGDAP operates on a Self-Paced learning model. The designated, preferred duration to thoroughly digest the curriculum is 3 Months. However, the structure is entirely flexible. Candidates who wish to accelerate their learning can study the materials and complete the program—including sitting for the final exam—anytime sooner than the three-month mark.

Enrollment Professional development should not be hampered by arbitrary deadlines. Therefore, enrollment is available Any Time. There is no fixed enrollment date, academic calendar, or waiting list. Candidates can choose to register whenever they are ready, and the enrollment will be processed in real-time, granting instant access to the course portal.

Examination Structure To successfully earn the Post Graduate Diploma, candidates must clear One Online Exam. This comprehensive assessment is worth 100 Marks and features a balanced mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Subjective Type Questions designed to test practical procedural knowledge. The passing benchmark is an accessible 40%. Should a candidate be unsuccessful on their first attempt, the IAI permits two additional attempts to clear the examination without any supplementary fees.

Application Procedure Initiating your enrollment is a streamlined, fully digitized process:

1. Apply: Navigate to the portal and fill out the Apply Now Form with your accurate details.

2. Pay: Remit the comprehensive fee of Rs. 7,500/- by clicking the Pay Now button.

3. Confirm: Upon successful transaction, click on the Payment Confirmation button and fill out the subsequent form to finalize your registration.

4. Learn: Log in directly to your personalized Dashboard and commence your journey into arbitration procedure.