Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Written Submissions

Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Written Submissions (PGDAWS)

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.

Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Written Submissions (PGDAWS)

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

Course Overview

In the sophisticated arena of domestic and international arbitration, the traditional reliance on prolonged oral arguments has been decisively replaced by a "documents-first" approach. Arbitral awards are frequently won or lost not in the hearing room, but on the strength, clarity, and strategic brilliance of the written submissions. The Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Written Submissions (PGDAWS), offered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is an advanced, high-level professional training program meticulously designed to master the complex art of written advocacy in alternative dispute resolution.

Unlike standard legal drafting, which often relies on archaic templates and rigid civil procedure formats, arbitration submissions demand a unique blend of commercial awareness, factual precision, and persuasive legal framing. The arbitral tribunal typically forms its foundational understanding of the dispute entirely from the initial memorials and written statements long before the first case management conference. This postgraduate program takes candidates beyond the basics of contract clauses, plunging them into the deep end of advanced legal strategy, evidence mapping, and the structuring of comprehensive arguments for high-stakes commercial disputes.

Throughout this intensive curriculum, participants will dissect the entire anatomy of arbitration written submissions. The course thoroughly explores the drafting of comprehensive Statements of Claim and Defense, but it goes much further. Candidates will learn how to draft highly technical interlocutory applications, precise document production requests using the Redfern Schedule, and robust witness statements that can withstand rigorous cross-examination. Furthermore, the program places a heavy emphasis on the pinnacle of written advocacy: the preparation of Skeleton Arguments, Opening Notes, and Post-Hearing Final Written Submissions, which serve as the ultimate roadmap for the arbitrator's final award.

The PGDAWS is engineered for those who wish to position themselves at the elite end of the dispute resolution spectrum. By focusing exclusively on the most critical phase of the arbitral process, the IAI ensures that participants graduate with an unparalleled ability to synthesize complex facts and law into compelling narratives. Whether you are aiming to lead a law firm’s arbitration practice, manage external counsel as an in-house leader, or act as a highly effective tribunal secretary, this postgraduate diploma equips you with the specialized firepower needed to dominate the written phase of any arbitration.

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: Principles of Advanced Written Advocacy

• Transitioning from court-centric drafting to arbitration-style memorials.

• The psychology of persuasion in written legal arguments.

• Structuring facts, legal principles, and commercial context effectively.

• Understanding the tribunal's perspective: What arbitrators look for in submissions.

Module 2: Drafting the Primary Memorials (Pleadings)

• Advanced techniques for structuring the Statement of Claim.

• Drafting the Statement of Defense and raising complex preliminary/jurisdictional objections.

• Formulating and structuring Counter-Claims and Set-Offs.

• Drafting Rejoinders and managing amendments to pleadings.

Module 3: Interlocutory Applications and Procedural Drafting

• Drafting applications for interim measures of protection (Section 9 & Section 17).

• Applications for the appointment, challenge, and substitution of arbitrators.

• Drafting precise requests for document production (Mastering the Redfern Schedule).

• Formulating interrogatories and requests for further particulars.

Module 4: Evidentiary Submissions and Expert Reports

• The art of drafting Affidavits of Evidence (Examination-in-Chief) to control the narrative.

• Structuring and reviewing Expert Witness Reports for technical/financial disputes.

• Aligning documentary evidence with written pleadings seamlessly.

• Preparing factual chronologies and evidence matrices.

Module 5: Pre-Hearing and Post-Hearing Submissions

• Distilling complex cases into powerful Skeleton Arguments and Opening Notes.

• Drafting Post-Hearing Written Submissions: Summarizing oral evidence and cross-examinations.

• Structuring arguments on cost allocations, tribunal fees, and interest calculations.

• Assisting the tribunal: Drafting components that mirror the final Arbitral Award.

Module 6: Post-Award Submissions and Enforcement

• Drafting applications for the correction and interpretation of the Arbitral Award.

• Structuring challenge petitions under Section 34 (Setting aside the award).

• Drafting execution and enforcement applications for domestic awards.

• Navigating the written requirements for the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.

Importance of Doing this Course

In modern commercial arbitration, the written submission is the most powerful tool at a practitioner's disposal. As tribunals increasingly adopt mechanisms to limit oral hearings and expedite proceedings, the entirety of a party's case often rests squarely on the documents submitted. Doing this Post Graduate Diploma is of paramount importance because it targets this exact reality, transforming general legal practitioners into specialized arbitration counsel capable of winning cases on paper.

A poorly structured or overly verbose submission can frustrate an arbitral tribunal, dilute strong legal points, and ultimately lead to an unfavorable award. Conversely, a brilliant written submission provides the tribunal with a clear, logical, and legally sound roadmap that they can directly adopt into their final decision. This course teaches the critical skill of drafting for the reader—the arbitrator—ensuring that complex commercial data and legal precedents are presented with absolute clarity and maximum impact.

Furthermore, undertaking a postgraduate-level specialization signals to the market that a professional possesses advanced, highly targeted expertise. It bridges the critical gap between knowing the Arbitration Act and knowing how to strategically deploy it in a live dispute. For law firms, associates with these skills immediately reduce the partner's drafting burden. For corporate clients, having in-house professionals who understand advanced written submissions ensures that external counsel can be managed effectively and legal spending can be optimized, making this course a high-return investment in one's professional capital.

Career Prospects

The mastery of written submissions is arguably the most monetizable skill in the alternative dispute resolution sector. Achieving the Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Written Submissions (PGDAWS) elevates a candidate’s profile from a generalist to a specialized expert, opening doors to premium roles within the legal and corporate ecosystems.

Specialized Arbitration Counsel / Law Firm Associate: Elite law firms and specialized dispute resolution chambers entrust the heavy lifting of drafting memorials, interim applications, and final written submissions to their most skilled associates. This PG Diploma acts as a powerful differentiator, proving that the candidate can independently handle the complex documentary demands of high-value domestic and international arbitrations without requiring basic training.

Tribunal Secretaries: Senior arbitrators—often retired judges or top-tier commercial lawyers—are constantly inundated with thousands of pages of written submissions. They actively seek highly trained Tribunal Secretaries to read, summarize, and organize these documents, and to assist in drafting procedural orders. Understanding how submissions are constructed makes graduates of this course ideal candidates for these prestigious, frontline roles.

In-House Legal Heads and Contract Managers: Multinational corporations require in-house leaders who can do more than just forward emails from external law firms. Professionals with this postgraduate training can critically review and refine the drafts prepared by external counsel, ensuring that the company's commercial realities are accurately reflected and protected in the tribunal filings, thereby saving the company immense resources.

Independent Arbitration Practice: For advocates seeking to establish a lucrative independent practice, the ability to deliver world-class written advocacy is the fastest way to build a reputation. Armed with this diploma, independent practitioners can confidently take on complex commercial mandates, knowing they have the specialized skills to out-draft their opponents before arbitral tribunals.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI) has structured the Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Written Submissions (PGDAWS) to reflect the high standards of a postgraduate qualification, while ensuring that the administrative and delivery framework remains flexible, transparent, and seamlessly accessible to busy professionals across the globe.

Eligibility Recognizing that arbitration is a multidisciplinary field, the IAI maintains an inclusive yet qualitative threshold for this advanced program. The eligibility criteria require Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with Diploma or Graduation appearing or passed. This ensures that ambitious law students in their final years, practicing advocates, corporate executives, and technical experts holding diplomas or degrees can all access this high-level specialization.

Total Fees The comprehensive fee for this Post Graduate Diploma is Rs. 7,500/-. The IAI operates on a strict principle of total financial transparency. This is a one-time, all-inclusive payment. It comprehensively covers your admission processing, unrestricted access to the course modules, all examination fees, and the physical delivery of your final Post Graduate Diploma Certificate. There are absolutely no hidden charges, backend costs, or additional fees for study materials.

Mode and Study Material To accommodate the demanding schedules of modern professionals, the entire program is delivered Online. Upon successful enrollment, candidates are granted exclusive access to the IAI’s state-of-the-art Learning Dashboard/Portal. All Study Material—including comprehensive module notes, advanced drafting templates, sample memorials, and international best-practice guides—will be provided directly through this secure digital platform.

Learning Type and Duration The course utilizes a highly flexible Self-Paced learning methodology. While the recommended duration to comfortably complete this intensive postgraduate curriculum is 3 Months, candidates are not bound by rigid timetables. You have the autonomy to progress at your own speed. If you choose to study at an accelerated pace, you can complete the modules and undertake the final exam at any time sooner to earn your diploma.

Enrollment Professional growth should not be constrained by academic calendars. Therefore, enrollment is open Any Time. There are no fixed enrollment dates, cutoff days, or waiting batches. A candidate can choose to register whenever they are ready, and the digital enrollment process will be executed in real-time, instantly unlocking access to the course dashboard.

Examination Structure To earn this postgraduate certification, candidates must successfully clear One Online Exam. The assessment is designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical drafting application, comprising Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Subjective Type Questions for a total of 100 Marks. The passing benchmark is securely set at 40%. Understanding the pressures of professional life, the IAI allows unsuccessful candidates to take two additional attempts without any extra financial burden.

Application Procedure Embarking on this specialization is a seamless, fully digitized process:

1. Apply: Complete the Apply Now Form available on the official portal.

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

3. Confirm: After processing, click on the Payment Confirmation button and fill out the subsequent detailed registration form.

4. Access: Log in directly to your Learning Dashboard and commence your journey into advanced written advocacy.