Post Graduate Diploma in ICC Arbitration

Post Graduate Diploma in ICC Arbitration (PGDICC) 

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 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration stands as one of the world's most experienced and globally recognized arbitral institutions. Headquartered in Paris with case management teams across major international financial hubs, the ICC administers disputes governing billions of dollars across global supply chains, international engineering, energy projects, and cross-border finance. The ICC Rules of Arbitration feature distinctive, rigorous procedural mechanisms—such as the mandatory drafting of Terms of Reference and the institutional Scrutiny of Awards—that distinguish it from other global forums. Mastering these institutional intricacies requires targeted procedural expertise. The Post Graduate Diploma in ICC Arbitration (PGDICC), administered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), provides specialized, practitioner-level training dedicated to the ICC arbitral framework.

This postgraduate diploma bridges institutional legal theory with the everyday procedural reality of managing ICC arbitrations. Candidates are guided step-by-step through the lifecycle of an ICC dispute, beginning with the strategic drafting of ICC model clauses, submitting the Request for Arbitration, and framing the Answer and Counterclaims. Participants examine the specific functions of the ICC Secretariat and the Court, gaining clarity on administrative decisions, financial advance determinations, and the consolidation of complex multi-party proceedings.

A major focus of the curriculum is mastering the signature phases of ICC proceedings. Candidates explore the formulation of the Terms of Reference (Article 23) and the Case Management Conference (Article 24) to establish enforceable procedural timetables. The program also unpacks the ICC’s Emergency Arbitrator Provisions and Expedited Procedure Rules, preparing professionals to act swiftly when urgent interim relief or fast-track resolutions are demanded. Finally, participants study the Court’s rigorous award scrutiny process, learning how to draft awards that minimize procedural vulnerabilities and withstand enforcement challenges under the New York Convention.

Designed to meet the needs of modern dispute practitioners, the PGDICC equips graduates with specialized technical competence. Whether handling disputes as external counsel, institutional case administrators, or corporate risk advisors, credential holders possess the operational expertise needed to navigate high-stakes ICC proceedings with strategic confidence and procedural 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 ICC Institutional Architecture and Statutory Framework

• History, role, and constitutional structure of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and Secretariat.

• The ICC Rules of Arbitration: Underlying principles, scope of application, and institutional revisions.

• Ad hoc arbitration vs. ICC institutional administration: Strategic advantages and cost comparisons.

Module 2: Commencing the Arbitration, Responses, and Multi-Party Joinder

• Drafting the Request for Arbitration and tactical considerations under Article 4.

• Submitting the Answer to the Request, Counterclaims, and Jurisdictional Objections (Article 5).

• Handling joinder of additional parties, multi-contract disputes, and consolidation under ICC Rules.

Module 3: Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal and Challenge Procedures

• Appointment mechanisms: Sole arbitrator vs. three-member tribunals and the role of National Committees.

• Standards of arbitrator independence, impartiality, and disclosure requirements (Article 11).

• Procedural rules and grounds for challenging, replacing, and revoking arbitrator mandates.

Module 4: Case Management, Terms of Reference, and Hearing Practice

• Drafting and executing the Terms of Reference under Article 23: Objectives and procedural finality.

• Conducting Case Management Conferences and establishing procedural timetables (Article 24).

• Document production standards, virtual and hybrid hearings, and examination of expert witnesses.

Module 5: Emergency Arbitrators and Expedited Procedure Rules

• Invoking Emergency Arbitrator Provisions for urgent interim measures before tribunal constitution.

• Operational scope, monetary thresholds, and procedural timelines of the ICC Expedited Procedure Rules.

• Applications for interim and conservatory measures before domestic courts vs. arbitral tribunals.

Module 6: Award Scrutiny, Drafting, and International Enforcement

• Drafting reasoned ICC arbitral awards, assessing damages, and structuring interest.

• The ICC Court’s mandatory award scrutiny process (Article 34): Formal review and substantive feedback.

• Costs of arbitration, allocation of expenses, and global enforcement under the 1958 New York Convention.

Importance of Doing this Course

In the international commercial arena, institutional arbitration has largely overtaken ad hoc proceedings, with ICC arbitration remaining the benchmark for multi-million-dollar disputes. Because the ICC incorporates specific administrative requirements and quality-control systems found nowhere else, generic knowledge of arbitration law is insufficient. Enrolling in the Post Graduate Diploma in ICC Arbitration (PGDICC) bridges this knowledge gap, establishing deep, actionable expertise in the world’s most recognized arbitral mechanism.

First, this course provides specialized procedural mastery. Understanding institutional hallmarks—such as drafting unambiguous Terms of Reference, navigating Court scrutiny, and coordinating case management with the Secretariat—ensures practitioners avoid costly procedural defaults, jurisdictional challenges, and unnecessary delays.

Second, the program instills risk-mitigation foresight for corporate and transactional professionals. Contract managers, legal counsels, and procurement officers gain the acumen required to draft enforceable ICC dispute clauses, calculate advance cost liabilities accurately, and deploy expedited procedures or emergency arbitrator mechanisms to protect vital business assets.

Finally, earning a specialized postgraduate diploma endorsed by the Indian Arbitration Institution signals advanced competence in transnational dispute resolution. It validates that the holder understands the expectations of international tribunals, boosting professional standing before multinational employers, institutional arbitration panels, and international dispute chambers.

Career Prospects

Attaining the PGDICC designation opens avenues across specialized dispute resolution units, international corporate teams, and commercial organizations.

International Arbitration Associates and Litigation Advocates: Law firms handling cross-border commercial litigation seek practitioners who can step into institutional arbitrations with zero learning curve. PGDICC graduates understand ICC filing requirements, pleading formats, and case management procedures, allowing them to manage filings, coordinate with the Secretariat, and prepare hearing strategies.

In-House Legal Advisors and Cross-Border Dispute Managers: Multinational corporations, engineering conglomerates, and financial institutions frequently operate under ICC standard contracts. Graduates are equipped to direct organizational dispute strategies, liaise with foreign external counsel, and manage cost-exposure assessments during active ICC proceedings.

Arbitration Case Administrators and Tribunal Secretaries: Arbitral institutions, regional dispute resolution centers, and senior international arbitrators require legally trained professionals to support case dockets, manage procedural correspondence, and draft procedural orders. This diploma demonstrates the institutional rigor required for these roles.

Contract Administrators and EPC Claims Consultants: In infrastructure, oil and gas, and construction projects executed under standard forms (such as FIDIC), disputes often escalate directly to ICC tribunals. PGDICC credential holders are prepared to act as claims administrators, identifying contractual non-compliance and drafting notices aligned with ICC evidentiary standards.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution maintains a transparent, flexible, and fully accessible program delivery framework, allowing candidates to balance professional duties with advanced skill development.

Eligibility To ensure participants are ready to engage with advanced institutional frameworks, candidates must meet the following entry requirement:

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

This policy welcomes final-year undergraduate students, law candidates, working diploma holders, and graduate professionals seeking targeted specialization in international arbitration.

Total Fees The all-inclusive fee for the program is Rs. 7,500/-. The IAI maintains a single, comprehensive fee structure. This sum covers admission processing, complete access to the learning dashboard, continuous course materials, examination administration, and the physical delivery of the Post Graduate Diploma Certificate upon completion. No additional or hidden charges are levied at any stage.

Mode and Study Material The entire program is conducted Online. All comprehensive Study Material—including structured course readers, institutional procedural flowcharts, model agreements, landmark procedural rulings, and reference guides—is accessible via the dedicated Learning Dashboard/Portal.

Learning Type and Duration The program follows a flexible Self-Paced learning structure. The recommended duration is 3 Months, offering sufficient time to master all six modules. However, candidates have the flexibility to complete the program faster or take extra time, with the option to sit for the final exam whenever they are prepared.

Enrollment Enrollment is open Any Time throughout the year. There are no fixed batch start dates or application deadlines. Candidates can register on any day, and admissions are processed in real time, granting immediate portal and course access.

Examination Structure Certification is awarded upon passing One Online Exam featuring a combination of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Subjective Type Questions totaling 100 Marks.

• Passing Criteria: 40%

• Retake Policy: Candidates who are unsuccessful on their first attempt receive two additional attempts at no extra cost.

Application Procedure

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

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

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

4. Access: Log in to your personal Learning Dashboard and begin your coursework immediately.