Chartered Arbitration Tribunal Specialist

Chartered Arbitration Tribunal Specialist (CHATS)

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

• Eligibility: Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with Post Graduate Diploma or Masters along with any prior work experience.

• Total Fees: Rs. 10,000/-
  (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 global acceleration of commercial transactions has placed alternative dispute resolution at the core of international and domestic business governance. Within this framework, the functionality, efficiency, and integrity of the arbitral tribunal serve as the bedrock of the entire arbitration mechanism. As disputes grow exponentially in financial value, technical complexity, and cross-border scope, tribunals require operational, procedural, and evidentiary management of the highest caliber. Arbitral tribunals can no longer rely on improvised administration or ad hoc handling; they demand highly specialized professionals who understand the intricate mechanics of tribunal operations from inception to award enforcement. The Chartered Arbitration Tribunal Specialist (CHATS), established by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is a flagship skill training program engineered to train high-level dispute administrators, tribunal assistants, and arbitral specialists capable of steering tribunal proceedings with uncompromising legal precision.

The CHATS curriculum focuses specifically on the internal mechanics, procedural management, and jurisdictional responsibilities of the arbitral tribunal. While conventional training programs center broadly on general advocacy, CHATS adopts a tribunal-centric perspective. It equips professionals to manage preliminary case conferences, draft robust procedural orders, coordinate multi-jurisdictional evidence protocols, handle challenges to tribunal jurisdiction, and assist in the procedural scrutiny and structuring of enforceable arbitral awards.

Participants are immersed in both domestic statutory frameworks and leading international institutional rules, such as those of the ICC, SIAC, LCIA, and UNCITRAL. The program delves into critical procedural challenges, including managing recalcitrant parties, issuing emergency and interim measures, conducting virtual and hybrid hearings, navigating confidentiality boundaries, and upholding the stringent disclosure mandates required under modern conflict-of-interest standards.

By instituting this rigorous benchmark, the Indian Arbitration Institution ensures that graduates emerge with the specialized acumen required to operate seamlessly alongside arbitrators, institutional registries, and corporate legal divisions. Whether functioning as an indispensable Tribunal Secretary, an institutional registrar, an ADR practice manager, or an aspiring adjudicator, a CHATS-certified specialist embodies the gold standard of tribunal administration—safeguarding the arbitral process against procedural irregularities, statutory non-compliance, and post-award challenges.

Course Structure and Modules

The tentative modules are as follows and are subject to continuous updates based on guidelines issued by the IAI Board of Skill Studies:

Module 1: Constitutional Framework and Jurisdictional Competence of Arbitral Tribunals

• Statutory sources of tribunal authority under domestic and international law.

• The Doctrine of Kompetenz-Kompetenz and handling jurisdictional threshold challenges.

• Determining the legal seat, venue, and governing substantive/procedural laws.

Module 2: Constitution, Composition, and Institutional Appointment Dynamics

• Mechanisms for tribunal constitution in sole-arbitrator and three-member panels.

• Strict standards of impartiality, independence, and the statutory duty of disclosure.

• Managing challenges to arbitrators, resignations, mandates, and panel reconstitution.

Module 3: Case Management Protocols and Procedural Timelines

• Designing and issuing Procedural Order No. 1 and procedural timetables.

• Conducting effective Preliminary Case Management Conferences (CMC).

• Balancing speed, cost-effectiveness, and fundamental procedural fairness.

Module 4: Interim Protections, Emergency Relief, and Sanctions

• Tribunal authority to grant interim measures and security for costs.

• Procedures and timelines for Emergency Arbitrator proceedings.

• Managing non-compliance, party defaults, and tribunal sanctions.

Module 5: Evidence Management, Document Disclosure, and Examination Protocols

• Administering document production requests and standard disclosure rules (e.g., IBA Rules).

• Managing technical, scientific, and accounting expert appointments by the tribunal.

• Procedures for evidentiary hearings, witness cross-examination, and transcript handling.

Module 6: Virtual, Hybrid, and Modern Digital Tribunal Operations

• Cybersecurity, data protection, and confidentiality protocols for tribunal proceedings.

• Administering virtual hearing rooms, digital presentation of evidence, and transcription services.

• Handling technological failures and ensuring party equality in remote environments.

Module 7: Award Drafting, Reasoning Standards, and Quality Scrutiny

• Structural anatomy of interim, partial, and final arbitral awards.

• Legal drafting of operative directions, damages assessments, interest, and costs.

• Internal institutional scrutiny mechanisms to preempt clerical and substantive flaws.

Module 8: Post-Award Tribunal Mandates and Judicial Interface

• Correction, interpretation, and rendering of additional awards.

• Termination of tribunal mandate and retention of arbitral records.

• Analyzing judicial review standards under Section 34 and New York Convention defenses.

Importance of Doing this Course

In the modern landscape of high-stakes dispute resolution, the efficiency of an arbitral tribunal directly influences the enforceability and legitimacy of the final award. Costly delays, procedural errors, and failures to follow due process frequently lead to awards being set aside in commercial courts. Undertaking the Chartered Arbitration Tribunal Specialist (CHATS) program is essential because it equips professionals with the specialized operational expertise needed to mitigate these systemic risks and ensure seamless dispute administration.

First, this course bridges the critical gap between academic theory and practical tribunal functioning. While general legal qualifications teach substantive rights, CHATS builds deep expertise in procedural engineering—drafting procedural orders, organizing complex hearing bundles, running case management conferences, and navigating complex jurisdictional disputes. This procedural mastery is indispensable for avoiding procedural bottlenecks and resisting bad-faith delays by recalcitrant parties.

Second, the program opens direct access to the rapidly expanding role of the Tribunal Secretary. Modern arbitrators increasingly rely on highly trained specialists to manage extensive evidentiary records, conduct statutory legal research, and ensure compliance with institutional regulations. Completing this program certifies that an individual understands the ethical boundaries, operational tools, and confidentiality rules vital to supporting distinguished arbitral tribunals.

Finally, the CHATS credential grants professional distinction across the international ADR community. It demonstrates an adherence to institutional rigor and modern arbitration best practices endorsed by the Indian Arbitration Institution. For senior professionals seeking tribunal appointments, institutional roles, or corporate leadership in dispute strategy, CHATS provides the proven competencies necessary to oversee dispute resolution at the highest standard.

Career Prospects

Attaining the CHATS credential unlocks elite, career-defining opportunities across arbitral institutions, international law firms, corporate enterprises, and specialized dispute chambers.

Tribunal Secretaries to Senior Arbitrators: Distinguished retired judges, senior advocates, and international jurists regularly require specialized tribunal secretaries. CHATS graduates possess the exact competencies needed to organize tribunal deliberations, coordinate procedural schedules, assemble hearing bundles, and conduct targeted research, positioning them for close collaboration with leading figures in global dispute resolution.

Institutional Registrars and Case Managers: Domestic and international arbitral institutions (such as SIAC, LCIA, MCIA, and IAI) require experienced Case Managers and Registry Officers. Professionals with CHATS training are well-prepared to oversee institutional caseloads, verify statutory compliances, review draft awards for formal validity, and administer panel appointments.

ADR Practice Managers in Tier-1 Law Firms: Elite law firms maintain dedicated arbitration divisions dealing with infrastructure, energy, and commercial disputes. Graduates can step into roles as ADR Practice Managers or Specialized Senior Associates, managing document production protocols, liaising with tribunal administrative staff, and crafting operational arbitration strategies.

Corporate Dispute Resolution and Compliance Heads: Major multinational corporations and public sector enterprises handle complex portfolios of ongoing arbitrations. CHATS holders provide high-value oversight as Corporate Dispute Specialists, assessing tribunal directions, monitoring external counsel, and managing procedural compliance to protect balance sheets from adverse arbitral rulings.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution maintains an accessible, flexible, and fully digital administrative infrastructure, enabling professionals to pursue this advanced credential alongside active career responsibilities.

Eligibility To reflect the advanced operational and strategic depth of the curriculum, candidates must satisfy the following admission criteria:

• Any Basic Qualification or Formal Education, accompanied by a Post Graduate Diploma or Master's Degree, along with prior work experience.

This prerequisite ensures that candidates possess the professional maturity and intellectual grounding necessary to engage with complex commercial, procedural, and judicial concepts.

Total Fees The comprehensive fee for the program is Rs. 10,000/-. The IAI maintains a strict single-fee standard with zero hidden expenses: this single payment covers the initial admission processing, full access to the learning portal, all modules, examination administration, and the generation and secure physical delivery of the Certificate upon completion. No supplementary charges apply at any stage.

Mode and Study Material The program is conducted completely Online, allowing participants from any geographic location to complete their studies without travel. All comprehensive Study Material—including procedural templates, sample case files, landmark rulings, and institutional manuals—is provided directly through the secure Learning Dashboard/Portal.

Learning Type and Duration The program is structured as Self-Paced learning, granting professionals complete autonomy over their study schedules. The recommended duration is 3 Months; however, candidates may progress faster or take additional time based on their personal schedule. The program can be completed as soon as the participant is ready to sit for the final examination.

Enrollment Enrollment is open Any Time. The IAI does not restrict intake to fixed academic calendars, terms, or specific batch dates. Candidates can enroll whenever convenient, and applications are processed in real time, granting immediate dashboard access.

Examination Structure Certification is awarded based on One Online Exam totaling 100 Marks, comprising both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Subjective Type Questions to assess procedural knowledge and practical application.

• Passing Marks: 40%

• Re-attempt Policy: Candidates who are unsuccessful on their first attempt are entitled to two additional attempts at no additional cost.

Application Procedure Enrolling in the program follows a streamlined four-step process:

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

2. Pay: Remit the program fee of Rs. 10,000/- via the secure Pay Now button.

3. Confirm: Click the Payment Confirmation button and complete the registration form with your transaction details.

4. Access: Log in to the Learning Dashboard and start the specialized training modules.