Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitral Award Writing

Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitral Award Writing (PGDAW) 

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 Arbitral Award Writing (PGDAW)

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

Course Overview

In any arbitration proceeding, the arbitral award represents the culmination of exhaustive submissions, evidentiary hearings, and legal arguments. It stands as the equivalent of a final judicial decree, holding binding authority over disputing parties. However, an arbitral award is only as resilient as the precision of its drafting. A poorly structured, ambiguous, or inadequately reasoned award risks prolonged litigation, challenges under set-aside proceedings, and refusal of enforcement by domestic or foreign courts. The Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitral Award Writing (PGDAW), formulated and administered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is an elite, practitioner-focused credential specifically crafted to master the delicate art and rigorous science of drafting unassailable arbitral awards.

This specialized program bridges the critical gap between procedural arbitration management and judicial adjudication. Drafting an award requires a distinct skill set far beyond standard advocacy; it demands an objective judicial mindset, strict adherence to statutory formalities, seamless synthesis of conflicting evidence, and the ability to articulate cogent legal reasoning that withstands appellate and judicial scrutiny. The PGDAW curriculum takes participants step-by-step through the lifecycle of award formulation—from evaluating procedural orders and assessing interim awards to calculating intricate financial claims, interest, and costs.

Participants will engage with realistic drafting scenarios, dissecting landmark domestic and international awards to identify common drafting pitfalls, ambiguities, and errors that frequently lead to challenges under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act or international enforcement frameworks like the New York Convention. The course systematically teaches candidates how to structure introductory recitals, summarize complex party pleadings without bias, frame clear issues, evaluate expert evidence, and construct clear operative portions (dispositif).

Designed by distinguished arbitrators and dispute resolution scholars, the PGDAW empowers legal practitioners, corporate advisors, technical experts, and aspiring arbitrators to draft awards with exceptional clarity, authority, and procedural compliance. By elevating the standard of award drafting, the Indian Arbitration Institution ensures that graduates are equipped to uphold the integrity, finality, and credibility of the entire alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

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: Statutory Framework and Essential Anatomy of an Arbitral Award

• Statutory requirements, mandatory elements, and formalities of an enforceable award.

• Classification of awards: interim, partial, consent, default, and final awards.

• The anatomy of an award: title, recitals, procedural narrative, substantive findings, and operative directions.

Module 2: Summarizing Pleadings, Jurisdictional Findings, and Framing of Issues

• Drafting clear, neutral summaries of claims, defenses, and counterclaims.

• Formulating precise legal and factual issues for adjudication.

• Recording findings on jurisdiction, tribunal competency, and the scope of reference.

Module 3: Evidentiary Analysis and Articulation of Reasons

• Techniques for evaluating documentary and oral evidence impartially.

• Drafting cogent, transparent, and legally sound reasoning (ratio decidendi).

• Handling conflicting expert witness reports and technical submissions within the text of the award.

Module 4: Financial Calculations, Quantification of Damages, and Awarding Costs

• Drafting clear determinations on damages, delay claims, and financial valuations.

• Statutory principles and formulas for awarding pre-reference, pendente lite, and future interest.

• Apportioning administrative expenses, arbitrator fees, and legal costs among the parties.

Module 5: The Operative Order (Dispositif), Formalities, and Post-Award Mechanics

• Crafting unambiguous, executable operative directions and relief clauses.

• Formal signing, date, place/seat of arbitration, and stamping requirements.

• Procedures for correction, interpretation, and supplementary awards under Section 33.

Module 6: Minimizing Vulnerabilities and Defending Against Set-Aside Proceedings

• Identifying drafting pitfalls that trigger challenges on grounds of public policy or patent illegality.

• Ensuring equal treatment and due process standards to prevent annulment.

• Drafting domestic and international commercial awards optimized for cross-border enforcement.

Importance of Doing this Course

The strength of any alternative dispute resolution system depends fundamentally on the quality, clarity, and enforceability of its final decisions. Despite an increasing number of disputes referred to arbitration, there remains a severe scarcity of professionals trained in judicial-grade award writing. Pursuing the PGDAW program equips candidates with a rare, highly valued capability that sets them apart from general dispute practitioners.

First, this course cultivates an adjudicative mindset. While conventional advocacy programs train professionals to argue persuasively for one side, the PGDAW trains the mind to evaluate conflicting arguments dispassionately, weigh complex evidence objectively, and arrive at decisions supported by clear, unassailable legal logic. Mastering this intellectual shift is the single most important step for any professional aspiring to sit as a sole arbitrator or co-arbitrator.

Second, the qualification provides immense value to advocates and in-house dispute managers. Understanding how an arbitrator writes an award reveals exactly what an arbitral tribunal searches for in pleadings, briefs, and oral arguments. This perspective enables counsel to structure submissions and evidence in a format that directly assists the tribunal, dramatically increasing the persuasive power of their advocacy.

Finally, the credential signifies professional rigor and mastery over procedural compliance. Backed by the Indian Arbitration Institution, the PGDAW ensures that participants understand how to insulate awards from procedural defects, ambiguities, and post-award challenges. This expertise protects commercial outcomes, avoids years of unnecessary litigation, and establishes the participant as a credible, indispensable expert in the arbitration fraternity.

Career Prospects

The specialized skill set imparted by the Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitral Award Writing (PGDAW) opens distinguished career trajectories across independent practice, institutional arbitration, and corporate sectors.

Arbitrators and Adjudicators: Senior advocates, retired judges, and domain experts (such as engineers, chartered accountants, and architects) who seek appointment as arbitrators require a firm grasp of award writing. This qualification provides the procedural confidence and technical precision needed to independently conduct hearings and author legally robust arbitral awards.

Tribunal Secretaries and Legal Assistants: Prominent domestic and international arbitrators frequently rely on skilled tribunal secretaries to summarize complex trial transcripts, organize documentary exhibits, perform comparative case law research, and prepare preliminary drafts of procedural orders and arbitral awards. PGDAW graduates represent the ideal candidates for these prestigious, high-learning roles.

In-House Dispute Resolution Counsel: Multinational corporations, public sector enterprises, and large conglomerates actively recruit dispute specialists who understand award enforceability. In-house counsel trained in award writing can accurately evaluate the strength of draft awards, manage challenge strategies under Section 34, and direct execution proceedings with maximum efficiency.

Specialized Arbitration Researchers and Counsel: Dispute resolution chambers and top-tier law firms prize practitioners who can critically analyze opponents' draft submissions or dissect awarded rulings to identify reversible legal errors. Graduates can establish niche advisory practices centered on award vetting, challenge strategy, and international enforcement advisory.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution has structured the administrative and academic delivery of the PGDAW program to ensure seamless learning and maximum flexibility for working professionals and advanced students.

Eligibility The program is accessible to a wide academic demographic. Candidates must possess:

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

This inclusive criterion enables final-year law students, graduates from legal and non-legal disciplines, and established corporate and technical professionals to build specialized expertise in arbitration.

Total Fees The all-inclusive fee for the PGDAW program is Rs. 7,500/-. The Indian Arbitration Institution maintains an absolute zero-hidden-cost structure. This single payment encompasses the entire course cycle: registration and admission processing, complete access to digital learning modules, examination fees, and the physical printing and postal delivery of your final Certificate. No additional fees will be charged at any stage.

Mode and Study Material The program is delivered 100% Online, enabling seamless participation from anywhere in the world. Upon completing registration, candidates receive dedicated login credentials to the Learning Dashboard/Portal. All comprehensive Study Material—including structured course modules, award-drafting templates, statutory guides, and curated landmark rulings—is made available directly through this digital portal.

Learning Type and Duration The program operates on a flexible, Self-Paced framework. The recommended curriculum duration is 3 Months, allowing adequate time to review drafting templates and legal principles. However, candidates are not bound by rigid timelines and can progress at their own speed. The course may be completed anytime as soon as you choose to appear for and clear the final examination.

Enrollment Enrollment is open Any Time throughout the year. There are no fixed enrollment cycles or intake dates. Candidates can register on any day, and applications are processed in real time, granting immediate access to the dashboard and study resources.

Examination Structure Evaluation consists of One Online Exam totaling 100 Marks, comprising both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Subjective Drafting/Problem-Solving Questions.

• Passing Marks: 40%

• Safety Net: Candidates who do not pass on their initial attempt are entitled to two additional attempts at no additional fee.

Procedure

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

2. Pay: Pay the requisite fee of Rs. 7,500/- via the secure Pay Now button.

3. Confirm: Click on the Payment Confirmation button and fill in the verification form with your registration and transaction details.

4. Learn: Log in to your personal Student Dashboard to access study materials and start your course.