Chief Justice Surya Kant Calls for Robust Arbitration Framework in India-UK FTA
Stories are grouped across languages, rewritten into a fixed editorial format, and linked to original sources. How we report.
TL;DR
- Chief Justice Surya Kant stressed the importance of reinforcing arbitration in the India-UK Free Trade Agreement.
- He called for joint Indo-UK arbitrator accreditation and streamlined cross-border dispute protocols.
- The central concern is to ensure ADR is practical, cost-effective, and accessible to all business types.
- Other speakers echoed the need for robust, tech-enabled dispute resolution between India and the UK.
Overview
At a London conference focused on Indo-UK commercial dispute resolution, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) must be backed by a strong arbitration and mediation framework. He warned that without practical ADR improvements, particularly for mid-market and technologically driven businesses, the agreement's commercial potential could be undermined.
What Happened
Chief Justice Surya Kant addressed the Indian Council of Arbitration's conference in London, outlining that the India-UK FTA requires more than just tariff reductions and investment announcements to be effective.
He recommended practical reforms such as joint arbitrator accreditation between India and the UK, streamlined protocols for technology and fintech disputes, fee caps, documentary procedures, online hearings, a mediation window, and defined timelines for case resolution.
Kant asserted that a robust ADR regime is necessary to support businesses beyond large corporations, including those in pharmaceuticals, fintech, clean energy, and digital sectors.
He also proposed hybrid ADR mechanisms that link arbitration with mediation, particularly for ongoing commercial relationships, stressing the value of preserving business partnerships through dispute resolution.
Other speakers, including Sir Geoffrey Vos and representatives from the Law Society of England and Wales, the Indian High Commission, and the Indian Council of Arbitration, echoed support for further cooperation, institutional engagement, and technological integration in dispute resolution.
Context
The India-UK FTA was signed in July 2025 after three years of negotiations, and is considered India's most comprehensive trade deal to date. The bilateral agreement is expected to significantly expand trade numbers and tariff-free exchange between the two countries.
The deal goes beyond goods, providing wider access to services and a double contribution convention for Indian workers in the UK. India is actively expanding its FTA network, having recently concluded agreements with the EU and EFTA, among others.
Amid this broader policy shift, business communities and legal institutions stress the significance of efficient and equitable ADR procedures to maintain trust and ensure practical trade benefits.
Why It Matters
- A credible dispute resolution system, with effective arbitration and mediation, is central to realizing the promised benefits of the India-UK FTA.
- Streamlined ADR processes will help mid-sized and technology-driven enterprises access remedies without prohibitive costs or delays.
- Developing joint standards and digital procedures may serve as a model for other cross-border FTAs involving India.