Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Policy

Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Policy (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 Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Policy (PGDAP), offered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is an executive-level qualification crafted to bridge the critical gap between procedural dispute resolution and strategic legal policy architecture. As global commerce expands and transactional disputes become increasingly multi-jurisdictional, arbitration has evolved beyond courtroom advocacy into a vital instrument of national economic policy, sovereign dispute management, and corporate risk governance.

This program provides an in-depth examination of the macro-level policy frameworks that govern commercial, investment, and institutional arbitration systems. Rather than focusing solely on individual tribunal proceedings, the PGDAP cultivates an understanding of institutional rule-making, judicial non-intervention doctrines, legislative reforms, and international treaty harmonisation. Learners explore how jurisdictions strategically position themselves as preferred arbitral seats, how legislative bodies structure arbitration statutes to attract foreign direct investment, and how governments design public policy defenses against arbitral awards without compromising sovereign enforcement commitments.

Participants examine core international conventions, including the New York Convention of 1958, the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, and bilateral investment treaty (BIT) dispute architecture. The curriculum breaks down the complex intersection between domestic public policy, international arbitration standards, state immunity, and regulatory sovereignty. Candidates critically assess high-stakes policy dilemmas, such as the arbitrability of consumer, competition, and intellectual property disputes, the integration of third-party litigation funding regulations, and modern compliance standards in cross-border commerce.

Delivered through an analytical, multi-jurisdictional perspective, the PGDAP equips legal practitioners, corporate executives, civil servants, policy analysts, and academics with the strategic acumen needed to participate in institutional policy design, regulatory compliance, and cross-border commercial strategy. Backed by the Indian Arbitration Institution, this qualification positions professionals to influence the operational governance and legislative landscape of modern arbitration.

Course Structure and Modules

The tentative modules are as follows:

Module 1: Foundations of Arbitration Policy and Comparative Jurisprudential Frameworks

• The evolution of modern arbitration policy: party autonomy vs. state regulatory oversight.

• Comparative study of UNCITRAL Model Law adoptions across global legal regimes.

• The principle of judicial non-intervention and the competence-competence doctrine.

• Establishing an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction: legislative architecture, judicial attitude, and infrastructure.

Module 2: International Treaties, Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), and State Sovereignty

• The New York Convention (1958) and the ICSID Convention frameworks.

• International Investment Agreements (IIAs), BITs, and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) policy.

• Sovereign immunity, expropriation claims, and fair and equitable treatment (FET) standards.

• Reforming ISDS: multilateral investment courts, transparency standards, and state countermeasures.

Module 3: Institutional Governance, Rule Formulation, and Case Administration

• The operational dynamics of leading arbitral institutions (IAI, SIAC, LCIA, ICC).

• Drafting and reforming institutional arbitration rules: expedited procedures, emergency arbitrators, and summary dismissals.

• Arbitrator appointment standards, conflict of interest disclosures, and the IBA Guidelines.

• Cost allocation policies, fee scales, and institutional tribunal secretariats.

Module 4: Public Policy, Arbitrability, and Judicial Scrutiny of Awards

• Defining the scope and contours of "Public Policy" in domestic and international enforcement.

• Arbitrability of specialized subject matters: fraud, insolvency, competition law, and intellectual property.

• Grounds for setting aside awards (Section 34 standards) vs. resisting enforcement (Section 48 standards).

• The doctrine of patent illegality and judicial review boundaries.

Module 5: Emerging Frontiers in Arbitration Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

• Policy frameworks for Third-Party Funding (TPF): disclosure mandates, conflicts of interest, and regulation.

• Technology and policy: Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), cybersecurity standards, and AI integration in tribunal administration.

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in commercial arbitration.

• Multi-tiered dispute resolution clauses and statutory mandatory mediation-arbitration interfaces.

Module 6: Policy Formulation, Legislative Drafting, and Strategic Reform Advocacy

• Techniques of legislative drafting for dispute resolution statutes and statutory amendments.

• Conducting regulatory impact assessments of arbitration reforms on national business climate.

• Formulating institutional policy memos, white papers, and judicial training protocols.

• Developing strategic corporate arbitration policies for risk mitigation and transnational dispute exposure.

Importance of Doing this Course

In today's globalized economy, arbitration is no longer merely a procedural alternative to formal litigation; it is a foundational pillar of national economic competitiveness, contract enforcement, and cross-border risk management. The Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Policy provides distinct advantages for professionals operating at this level.

First, sovereign governments and multinational enterprises routinely navigate high-stakes treaty and commercial disputes where procedural knowledge alone is insufficient. Understanding policy foundations—such as bilateral investment treaties, public policy exceptions, and state immunity—enables practitioners to build resilient strategies that anticipate sovereign defenses and regulatory pushback.

Second, regulatory bodies, chamber commerce panels, and arbitral institutions face a pressing need for experts who can draft progressive procedural rules, evaluate market trends, and implement legislative reforms. The PGDAP trains candidates to analyze statutory bottlenecks, align domestic laws with UNCITRAL models, and design modern institutional frameworks that enhance dispute resolution efficiency.

Third, corporate leaders and transactional attorneys must proactively mitigate risk by selecting favorable arbitral seats, structuring dispute resolution agreements, and monitoring shifting public policy standards. This diploma empowers professionals to craft forward-looking dispute strategies that minimize litigation risk and safeguard cross-border investments.

Finally, earning an advanced postgraduate diploma from the Indian Arbitration Institution signals specialized institutional mastery. It distinguishes candidates as strategic dispute architects capable of advising corporate boards, regulatory committees, think tanks, and international bodies on systemic arbitration design.

Career Prospects

The strategic, systemic focus of the Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration Policy opens diverse, high-level career opportunities across private, public, and institutional sectors:

• Arbitration Policy Analyst and Think-Tank Fellow: Conduct legal policy research, draft statutory reform white papers, and advise ministries of law, justice commissions, and economic think tanks on dispute system improvements.

• Institutional Case Counsel and Rule Administrator: Serve within leading domestic and international arbitral institutions, managing tribunal appointments, vetting arbitral awards, and shaping institutional dispute guidelines.

• Corporate Dispute and Risk Strategist: Direct dispute mitigation divisions within multinational enterprises, structuring international contract clauses, managing cross-border arbitral seats, and evaluating regulatory exposure.

• Investment Treaty and ISDS Consultant: Advise state agencies, public sector undertakings, and private investors on bilateral investment treaty claims, foreign direct investment risks, and sovereign commercial disputes.

• Senior In-House Legal Counsel: Lead corporate compliance, regulatory oversight, and complex commercial dispute workflows across banking, energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors.

• ADR Academic and Legal Researcher: Deliver specialized postgraduate instruction, write peer-reviewed doctrinal studies, and direct research centers dedicated to international commercial arbitration and public policy.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution delivers the PGDAP through an accessible, robust digital learning architecture designed for working executives, legal practitioners, scholars, and advanced students.

Eligibility Applicants must fulfill:

• Any Basic Qualification or Any Formal Education with a Diploma or Graduation (appearing or passed).

This broad eligibility framework accommodates practicing advocates, corporate managers, policy students, civil servants, and dispute resolution professionals seeking to broaden their policy perspective.

Total Fees The all-inclusive fee for the program is Rs. 7,500/-. This single payment covers every phase of the academic lifecycle: admission processing, full course tuition, access to the learning portal, all digital academic materials, examination evaluation, and the physical printing and courier delivery of the final Post Graduate Diploma certificate. No additional examination fees, re-admission costs, or hidden platform charges apply.

Mode and Study Material The program is conducted 100% Online. Upon enrollment, learners receive personalized credentials to the IAI Learning Dashboard/Portal. Comprehensive Study Material—including curated policy papers, comparative statutory compendiums, institutional rule books, milestone tribunal awards, and academic literature—is hosted directly within the portal for continuous reference.

Learning Type and Duration The PGDAP follows a Self-Paced structure. The recommended study timeline is 3 Months; however, candidates retain total control over their learning speed. Learners can progress through the modules at their own cadence and take the final examination as soon as they are ready, enabling early completion.

Enrollment Enrollment is open Any Time throughout the year. There are no fixed intake deadlines, application windows, or formal batch cut-offs. Every application is processed in real time, granting immediate dashboard access once payment confirmation is finalized.

Examination Structure The course concludes with One Online Exam carrying 100 Marks:

• Format: A balanced mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Subjective/Policy Analysis Questions.

• Passing Marks: 40%.

• Re-attempt Policy: Candidates who do not secure the 40% passing threshold on their first attempt are granted up to two additional attempts at no additional fee.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Complete the official Apply Now Form on the IAI website.

2. Pay the requisite program fee of Rs. 7,500/- via the Pay Now gateway.

3. Click the Payment Confirmation button and submit the verification form with your transaction details.

4. Log into your IAI Learning Dashboard to access your study modules and commence your program.