Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Arbitrator Practice

Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Arbitrator Practice (PGDAAP2)

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 exponential growth of commercial transactions, infrastructure investments, and international trade has placed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at the forefront of modern dispute management. Traditional court litigation, burdened with procedural delays, can no longer match the agility required by today’s fast-moving industries. Within this dynamic environment, arbitration stands as the definitive mechanism for resolving high-stakes conflicts with speed, confidentiality, and finality. However, the integrity and enforceability of arbitral outcomes depend almost entirely on the competence, procedural mastery, and ethical standards of the presiding tribunal. The Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Arbitrator Practice (PGDAAP2), offered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is an elite, practitioner-focused qualification structured to develop the next generation of adept, confident, and impartial arbitrators.

The PGDAAP2 curriculum bridges the gap between statutory knowledge and practical tribunal leadership. Serving as an arbitrator requires far more than an understanding of the law; it demands sophisticated case management, objective evidentiary evaluation, judicial temperament, and the ability to author robust, legally defensible awards. This advanced program takes candidates through the entire operational lifecycle of an arbitration, from the initial appointment and managing jurisdictional challenges under Kompetenz-Kompetenz, to directing procedural hearings, dealing with defaulting parties, and issuing enforceable final awards.

Designed by seasoned arbitrators and procedural specialists, the course equips learners with practical tools to maintain control over proceedings while upholding natural justice and equal treatment. Participants will study the complex interfaces between statutory arbitration regimes, institutional rule frameworks, and court-assisted interim measures. Special emphasis is placed on proactive case management techniques that minimize delays, curtail costs, and prevent procedural deadlocks.

Whether you are an aspiring dispute practitioner, an in-house legal counsel, a corporate manager, or a domain consultant seeking to sit on arbitral panels, the PGDAAP2 credential certifies that you possess the advanced procedural insight, decision-making discipline, and drafting proficiency needed to command arbitral proceedings with authority and precision.

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: The Arbitral Mandate, Jurisdiction, and Preliminary Powers

• Acceptance of appointment, disclosure mandates, independence, and impartiality.

• Evaluating jurisdiction, the Doctrine of Separability, and Kompetenz-Kompetenz.

• Preliminary meetings, directions, and issuing Procedural Order No. 1.

Module 2: Tribunal Case Management and Interlocutory Procedures

• Active case management: setting timetables, cost capping, and avoiding procedural delays.

• Determining interim measures, emergency relief, and tribunal-ordered protections.

• Handling challenges to jurisdiction, non-participating parties, and procedural defaults.

Module 3: Evidentiary Principles, Document Management, and Hearings

• Admissibility, relevance, and weight of evidence in commercial arbitration.

• Managing document production requests, privilege, and digital evidence.

• Conducting effective preliminary hearings, witness examinations, and virtual proceedings.

Module 4: Decision-Making Dynamics and Award Construction

• Deliberation techniques and structured analysis of claims and counter-claims.

• The anatomy of an arbitral award: formal, legal, and operational essentials.

• Formulating sound reasoning, awarding interest, and assessing costs.

Module 5: Scrutiny, Correction, and Post-Award Procedures

• Institutional scrutiny mechanisms and quality control of draft awards.

• Correction, interpretation, and issuing additional awards within statutory limits.

• Termination of proceedings and tribunal functus officio status.

Module 6: Judicial Interface, Challenge Grounds, and Global Enforcement

• Grounds for setting aside arbitral awards: public policy and procedural unfairness.

• Court intervention, assistance, and standard of review across key seats.

• Enforcement and execution of domestic and international awards under the New York Convention.

Importance of Doing this Course

In an increasingly competitive corporate and legal arena, practical procedural competence is what distinguishes a successful dispute specialist. The PGDAAP2 provides that vital distinction. Many professionals possess academic qualifications in law or technical disciplines, yet they face severe difficulties when tasked with managing the procedural complexities of an actual arbitration tribunal. This diploma systematically demystifies the arbitrator’s seat, transforming theoretical knowledge into actionable adjudicative capability.

First, the program imparts the strategic mindset required to manage disputes efficiently. Candidates learn how to preempt tactical delays by recalcitrant parties, resolve interlocutory battles decisively, and ensure equal treatment of all participants. This mastery protects the final award from being set aside by judicial courts, preserving months of commercial investment.

Second, the qualification confers dual-track value. For legal professionals, it provides direct pathway training to receive appointments as sole arbitrators or tribunal secretaries. For non-lawyers—such as engineers, chartered accountants, architects, and corporate executives—it translates specialized domain experience into dispute resolution capabilities, enabling them to serve as expert technical arbitrators on specialized tribunals.

Ultimately, holding the PGDAAP2 qualification signals a verified adherence to the highest standards of professional conduct, procedural fairness, and decision-making rigor established by the Indian Arbitration Institution. It elevates your professional stature and provides the credibility required to sit alongside senior arbitrators and industry leaders.

Career Prospects

Completing the PGDAAP2 credential equips professionals with specialized, highly marketable skills that open advanced career pathways across alternative dispute resolution sectors.

Independent Arbitrator and Adjudicator: Graduates can build an independent practice as sole arbitrators, co-arbitrators, or dispute adjudication board members for domestic, institutional, and ad-hoc arbitrations across sectors such as infrastructure, trade, real estate, and finance.

Tribunal Secretary: One of the most effective launching pads for an arbitration career is serving as a tribunal secretary to eminent, retired judges and senior arbitrators. PGDAAP2 provides the precise procedural drafting, research, and organizational training required to step directly into these roles.

In-House Dispute and Arbitration Counsel: Multinational companies, public sector undertakings, and major contractors require specialized counsel to oversee high-stakes arbitrations. Graduates can lead dispute resolution wings, coordinate with external counsel, and manage arbitration strategy from the corporate side.

Contract Administrators and Claims Consultants: Major engineering and construction projects require dispute avoidance and claims specialists. The tribunal-level training provided in this course enables claims consultants to present, substantiate, and defend claims in a manner that resonates with arbitral tribunals.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution has structured the administrative framework of the PGDAAP2 program to be entirely transparent, flexible, and accessible to working professionals and advancing students worldwide.

Eligibility The program is accessible to a broad spectrum of motivated learners: Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with Diploma or Graduation appearing or passed. This open, inclusive criterion ensures that both emerging graduates and experienced industry practitioners can develop high-level arbitrator competencies.

Total Fees The comprehensive fee for the PGDAAP2 program is Rs. 7,500/-. This is a completely inclusive package covering admission processing, complete course materials, examination fees, and the physical printing and secure delivery of your Certificate to your postal address. There are zero hidden costs or subsequent charges.

Mode and Study Material The training is delivered 100% Online. Upon enrollment, learners receive access credentials to the central IAI Learning Dashboard/Portal. All Study Material—including procedural guides, module handbooks, sample procedural orders, draft award models, and statutory references—is provided through this digital portal.

Learning Type and Duration The program operates on a Self-Paced learning methodology. While the recommended duration to master the material is 3 Months, learners have full autonomy over their learning speed. You may progress as rapidly as you prefer and can complete the program as soon as you choose to take the final examination.

Enrollment Enrollment remains open Any Time, with no fixed intake calendar or batch start dates. You can enroll on any day, and the enrollment is processed in real-time, providing immediate portal access.

Examination Structure Certification requires completing One Online Exam comprising Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Subjective Type Questions, for a total of 100 Marks.

• Passing Marks: 40%

• Safety Net: If an examinee is unsuccessful on the first attempt, up to two additional attempts are permitted at no extra charge.

Step-by-Step Procedure

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

2. Payment: Click the Pay Now button and pay the requisite fee of Rs. 7,500/-.

3. Confirmation: Click on the Payment Confirmation button and submit the confirmation form with your transaction and contact details.

4. Access: Log in to your personal Learning Dashboard and commence your arbitrator training immediately.