Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitrator Training

Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitrator Training (PGDAT)

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

Commercial disputes have grown increasingly complex, time-sensitive, and global in nature, rendering traditional courtroom litigation inadequate for contemporary corporate needs. Consequently, arbitration has emerged as the definitive mechanism for resolving high-stakes disputes with privacy, efficiency, and legal finality. However, the integrity and enforceability of an arbitration proceeding rest almost entirely on the procedural competence, ethical grounding, and legal acumen of the arbitrator. The Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitrator Training (PGDAT), meticulously developed and administered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is an industry-focused professional training program designed to equip aspiring adjudicators with the complete practical toolkit required to act as qualified, effective, and impartial arbitrators.

The curriculum bridges theoretical statutory rules and the hands-on administration of arbitral proceedings. It is crafted not only for practicing attorneys and legal scholars, but also for corporate professionals, engineers, chartered accountants, and public sector executives seeking to leverage their sector-specific knowledge in dispute adjudication. The PGDAT focuses on transforming subject-matter experts into astute, fair-minded adjudicators who can maintain procedural control, manage evidentiary submissions, and deliver legally defensible decisions.

Participants are guided step-by-step through the lifecycle of an arbitral tribunal. Starting from initial disclosure requirements and establishing tribunal jurisdiction, the course delves into conducting case management conferences, issuing procedural orders, managing document production, and handling witness hearings. Special emphasis is placed on master-level award writing—training candidates on how to construct a logical, well-reasoned arbitral award that withstands judicial scrutiny under annulment and enforcement challenges.

By maintaining high academic and ethical benchmarks, the IAI ensures that PGDAT graduates understand modern Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) norms, international best practices, and standard institutional frameworks. Whether your objective is to empanel with domestic and international arbitral institutions, act as a sole arbitrator in commercial disputes, or support senior tribunals as an informed secretary, this program establishes the professional credibility and procedural confidence needed to excel in the arbitration ecosystem.

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 Principles of Natural Justice

• Foundational architecture of domestic and international arbitration statutes.

• The UNCITRAL Model Law and modern legislative harmonization.

• Core principles of natural justice: Audi alteram partem and fair hearing standards.

• Distinctions between Ad Hoc and Institutional arbitration frameworks.

Module 2: Tribunal Appointment, Independence, and Jurisdiction

• Mechanisms of arbitrator nomination, selection, and tribunal empanelment.

• Statutory disclosure obligations, conflict of interest, and impartiality standards.

• The doctrine of Kompetenz-Kompetenz and handling jurisdictional challenges.

• Challenging and terminating the mandate of an arbitrator.

Module 3: Pre-Hearing Procedures and Case Management

• Drafting and issuing effective preliminary procedural orders.

• Conducting efficient Case Management Conferences (CMCs) and procedural timetables.

• Handling applications for interim measures and emergency relief.

• Managing statements of claim, statements of defense, and counterclaims.

Module 4: Evidence Administration and Hearing Protocols

• Standard rules of evidence in arbitration and document production management.

• Conducting physical, virtual, and hybrid hearing sessions.

• Managing expert testimonies, witness statements, and cross-examinations.

• Addressing procedural defaults, non-compliance, and ex-parte scenarios.

Module 5: The Mechanics of Award Writing and Cost Determination

• The anatomy of an arbitral award: formal requirements, structure, and reasoning.

• Distinguishing interim, partial, consent, and final awards.

• Principles of assessing damages, interest calculations, and statutory caps.

• Allocation of arbitration costs, tribunal fees, and legal expenses.

Module 6: Post-Award Dynamics, Enforcement, and Challenge

• Correction, interpretation, and additional awards.

• Statutory grounds for challenging and setting aside an award (Section 34 standards).

• Enforcement and execution mechanisms in domestic courts.

• Recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the New York Convention.

Importance of Doing this Course

In the rapidly expanding realm of commercial dispute resolution, the demand for trained, procedurally sound arbitrators significantly outpaces supply. Merely possessing deep industry or legal knowledge does not automatically make an individual a competent adjudicator; conducting an arbitration requires specific procedural discipline, neutrality, and decisive case management skills. The Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitrator Training (PGDAT) provides the critical training necessary to bridge this operational gap.

First, this course prevents procedural pathology. When untrained individuals preside over arbitrations, procedural errors and ambiguous rulings frequently lead to protracted litigation and the annulment of awards in court. The PGDAT instills a meticulous understanding of statutory compliance, procedural fairness, and evidence handling, empowering you to direct proceedings efficiently while insulating the eventual award from challenges.

Second, the program democratizes dispute resolution by opening adjudication to multidisciplinary professionals. Engineers, chartered accountants, architects, and corporate executives gain the formal procedural vocabulary and legal framework needed to apply their domain expertise directly as technical arbitrators or expert adjudicators.

Finally, earning the PGDAT from the Indian Arbitration Institution serves as a recognized mark of professional preparation and integrity. It equips candidates with the confidence to handle adversarial counsel, make firm procedural rulings, and write reasoned, articulate awards, significantly enhancing their profile for institutional empanelment and professional appointments.

Career Prospects

Completing the PGDAT positions professionals for distinct and prestigious roles across corporate, institutional, and private dispute resolution arenas.

Empaneled and Independent Arbitrator: Graduates can apply for empanelment on the panels of domestic and international arbitral institutions, trade associations, and chambers of commerce. Experienced practitioners can receive appointments as sole arbitrators or tribunal members in commercial, contractual, construction, and consumer disputes.

Tribunal Secretary: Serving as a tribunal secretary to senior arbitrators and retired judges is one of the most effective ways to gain frontline arbitral experience. PGDAT holders possess the exact procedural knowledge, legal research, and case management competencies needed to manage tribunal administrative workflows and assist in award drafting.

In-House Dispute Resolution Counsel: Enterprises, PSUs, and multinational corporations seek in-house counsel who understand how an arbitrator thinks. PGDAT alumni are well equipped to assess dispute merits, manage corporate arbitration portfolios, select appropriate arbitrators, and formulate robust dispute strategies.

Technical Adjudicator and Expert Consultant: Professionals from construction, banking, shipping, and technology sectors can leverage their credential to serve as independent adjudicators on Dispute Boards, claims assessment panels, and technical expert determination forums.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution has structured this program to offer accessible, industry-aligned training while respecting the professional and personal commitments of candidates.

Eligibility The program maintains an inclusive standard:

• Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with a Diploma or Graduation (appearing or passed). This ensures accessibility for final-year students, recent graduates, and seasoned working professionals across all disciplines.

Total Fees The all-inclusive fee for the PGDAT program is Rs. 7,500/-. This fee covers everything from admission processing and full curriculum access to examination administration and the physical delivery of your Certificate upon successful completion. There are zero additional or hidden charges.

Mode and Study Material The program is delivered entirely Online, allowing candidates from any location to participate without logistical constraints. All Study Material—including modules, procedural templates, landmark legal rulings, and award-drafting guidelines—is provided through the secure IAI Learning Dashboard/Portal.

Learning Type and Duration The training is Self-Paced. While the recommended study duration is 3 Months, candidates have complete freedom to move at their own pace. You can review the material and complete the program at any time as soon as you choose to appear for the exam.

Enrollment Enrollment is open Any Time, with no fixed enrollment dates, batch windows, or cut-offs. Registrations are processed in real time, granting instant access to the learning portal upon confirmation.

Examination Structure Certification requires the completion of One Online Exam carrying a total of 100 Marks, comprising both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Subjective Type Questions to evaluate conceptual understanding and practical drafting skills.

• Passing Marks: 40%

• Retake Policy: If unsuccessful on the initial attempt, candidates are granted two additional attempts at no extra cost.

Procedure

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

2. Payment: Pay the requisite fee of Rs. 7,500/- by clicking the Pay Now button.

3. Confirmation: Click on the Payment Confirmation button and fill in your registration and payment details.

4. Access Dashboard: Log into your personalized Learning Dashboard and start your training immediately.