Post Graduate Diploma in aebitration and mediation law 

Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration And  Mediation Law (PGDAL)

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 Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration And Mediation Law (PGDAML), offered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is a comprehensive, practice-focused professional diploma designed to build foundational expertise and procedural mastery in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). In contemporary legal and commercial ecosystems, dispute avoidance and efficient dispute management have largely superseded conventional courtroom litigation. Escalating judicial dockets, prohibitive litigation costs, and the demand for business confidentiality have driven domestic enterprises and global conglomerates to prioritize institutional arbitration and structured mediation.

This program bridges the gap between doctrinal legal theories and hands-on procedural enforcement. Learners explore the complete lifecycle of arbitration and mediation, starting with the drafting of dispute resolution clauses, moving through institutional filings and tribunal appointments, and concluding with the execution and enforcement of arbitral awards and mediated settlement agreements. The curriculum incorporates contemporary domestic legal frameworks alongside international benchmarks, notably the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, and the United Nations Singapore Convention on Mediation.

Beyond substantive legal principles, the PGDAML focuses heavily on core practitioner skills. Participants learn arbitral drafting techniques, statement of claim and defence formulation, interim relief applications, cross-examination handling, and calculation of interest and damages. In mediation, the diploma trains candidates in conflict diagnosis, principled interest-based bargaining, caucus management, cross-cultural impasse-breaking strategies, and statutory conciliation protocols.

Additionally, the course addresses emerging modern developments transforming ADR practice, such as third-party litigation funding, ethical governance of neutrals, procedural administration under institutional rules, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence in Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platforms. Delivered by seasoned practitioners and dispute management specialists through the Indian Arbitration Institution, the PGDAML develops skilled, industry-ready professionals capable of serving as dispute resolution counsel, in-house contract specialists, claim evaluators, and qualified alternative dispute resolution consultants in dynamic commercial environments.

Course Structure and Modules

The tentative modules are as follows:

Module 1: Fundamentals of ADR and Statutory Framework of Arbitration

• Conceptual paradigms of Alternative Dispute Resolution: Negotiation, Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration.

• Key statutory principles under domestic arbitration acts: scheme, objectives, and constitutional dimensions.

• Drafting enforceable arbitration agreements, seat vs. venue distinctions, and multi-tier dispute resolution clauses.

• Judicial non-intervention, court referrals, and appointment of arbitral tribunals under statutory and institutional regimes.

Module 2: Arbitral Proceedings, Evidence, and Award Formulation

• Conduct of arbitral proceedings: preliminary hearings, procedural orders, and statement of claim and defense.

• Applications for interim relief before arbitral tribunals and judicial courts.

• Evidentiary management: discovery, expert witnesses, examination of parties, and electronic record admissibility.

• Drafting arbitral awards: interim, final, additional awards, determination of costs, interest calculations, and tribunal mandates.

Module 3: Post-Award Remedies, Enforcement, and International Commercial Arbitration

• Grounds for setting aside arbitral awards: procedural irregularity, violation of natural justice, and public policy doctrines.

• Domestic execution mechanisms and appellate review processes.

• International Commercial Arbitration: party autonomy, governing laws, conflicts of laws, and international arbitral seats.

• Foreign award recognition and enforcement frameworks under the Geneva and New York Conventions.

Module 4: Mediation Jurisprudence, statutory frameworks, and Institutional Mediation

• Philosophy, socio-legal framework, and development of mediation as a structured dispute mechanism.

• Statutory regimes governing court-annexed, pre-litigation commercial mediation, and community mediation frameworks.

• Institutional mediation vs. ad-hoc mediation: procedural governance, mediation panels, and institutional codes.

• The Singapore Convention on Mediation: international enforceability and legal status of mediated settlement agreements.

Module 5: Mediation Process, Negotiation Dynamics, and Practitioner Skills

• Stages of mediation: opening statements, joint sessions, private caucusing, and setting agendas.

• Negotiation psychology: cognitive bias, positional vs. interest-based bargaining (Harvard Negotiation Model), and power dynamics.

• Impasse management strategies, objective criteria generation, and reframing complex disputes.

• Structuring and drafting legally binding, final, and enforceable Mediated Settlement Agreements (MSAs).

Module 6: Sectoral Dispute Resolution, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), and Professional Ethics

• Commercial and specialized mediation practice: construction claims, banking disputes, corporate restructuring, and intellectual property conflicts.

• Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): virtual evidentiary hearings, secure dispute portals, and algorithmic case management.

• Third-Party Funding in ADR: statutory permissibility, disclosure mandates, and ethical implications.

• Professional ethics, disclosure norms, conflict of interest management, and neutral standards of impartiality.

Importance of Doing this Course

The Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration And Mediation Law (PGDAML) provides a vital specialization that aligns with the evolving regulatory and commercial demands of dispute resolution.

First, statutory mandates increasingly require parties to attempt formal mediation and institutional arbitration before initiating courtroom litigation. Modern commercial contracts routinely embed compulsory multi-tier dispute resolution mechanisms. Legal advisors and dispute managers who lack procedural competence in ADR struggle to navigate these requirements. This program equips learners with practical tools to structure compliant dispute clauses and guide clients through institutional resolution pathways.

Second, the curriculum directly builds procedural execution skills. Traditional legal curricula often focus primarily on general trial court advocacy, leaving a significant training gap in arbitral drafting, interim relief petitions, and non-adversarial negotiation. The PGDAML bridges this gap by grounding participants in the procedural mechanics of tribunal administration, evidence presentation, award drafting, and settlement execution.

Third, the program broadens cross-border and corporate capabilities. With global trade relying on international arbitral institutions and the enforceability granted by the New York Convention and the Singapore Convention, cross-border dispute literacy is essential. Professionals certified through this program understand the mechanics of jurisdiction, institutional rules, and foreign award enforcement.

Finally, earning this credential under the auspices of the Indian Arbitration Institution establishes verifiable domain competence. It signals to law firms, commercial organizations, and institutional dispute panels that the candidate has completed structured, professional training in commercial dispute management.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Post Graduate Diploma in Arbitration And Mediation Law possess specialized practical qualifications that prepare them for varied roles in legal, corporate, and institutional sectors:

• Arbitration Counsel and Dispute Advocate: Represent commercial enterprises, public sector undertakings, and individual litigants before sole arbitrators, arbitral tribunals, and appellate courts.

• Corporate ADR Legal Counsel: Supervise contract compliance, oversee dispute risk assessment, and lead institutional settlement negotiations within corporate legal departments.

• Institutional Case Manager and Registrar: Manage case files, coordinate tribunal appointments, and supervise procedural compliance within domestic and international arbitral and mediation institutions.

• Commercial Mediator and Settlement Facilitator: Act as an accredited independent neutral facilitating joint sessions and formal dispute settlements for commercial, family, or employment conflicts.

• Contracts, Claims, and Dispute Specialist: Evaluate delay claims, liability assessments, and settlement terms in infrastructure, construction, real estate, and shipping enterprises.

• ODR Legal Operations Consultant: Consult with legal technology platforms, guiding the setup of dispute intake systems, digital mediation rooms, and automated dispute resolution workflows.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution offers the PGDAML through a flexible, fully digital model structured to serve working advocates, corporate executives, civil servants, and university students.

Eligibility Candidates must satisfy the following admission criteria:

• Any Basic Qualification or Any Formal Education with a Diploma or Graduation (candidates currently appearing for their final exams or who have already graduated are eligible).

The course welcomes applicants from both legal and non-legal backgrounds, including business administration, engineering, commerce, human resources, and social sciences.

Total Fees The all-inclusive fee for the program is Rs. 7,500/-. This single fee covers admission charges, complete access to the learning dashboard, digital study materials, examination administration, issuance of grades, and the physical printing and courier delivery of the final Post Graduate Diploma Certificate. There are no additional fees, portal maintenance charges, or examination re-sitting penalties.

Mode and Study Material The diploma is conducted entirely Online. Enrolled candidates receive personal credentials for the IAI Learning Dashboard/Portal. Comprehensive Study Material—including curated course modules, statutory compendiums, template pleadings, sample arbitral awards, and settlement drafts—is hosted on the dashboard for continuous access.

Learning Type and Duration The program operates under a flexible Self-Paced learning format. While the recommended duration is 3 Months, candidates are not bound to a fixed schedule. Learners may proceed at their own pace and complete the program early as soon as they are ready to sit for the examination.

Enrollment Enrollment remains open Any Time throughout the year. There is no rigid enrollment date, intake session, or semester cut-off. Applications are processed in real time, granting immediate access to the dashboard upon confirmation of payment.

Examination Structure The course assessment consists of One Online Exam carrying a total of 100 Marks:

• Format: A balanced split of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Subjective/Practical drafting and case-analysis questions.

• Passing Marks: 40%.

• Re-attempt Policy: If an examinee fails to secure the minimum passing mark, they are entitled to two additional attempts at no extra charge.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Access and submit the official Apply Now Form.

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

3. Select the Payment Confirmation button and submit the verification form along with transaction details.

4. Log into the Learning Dashboard to start your coursework immediately.