Call For Papers: NUALS ADR Society – 2nd Edition Of International ADR Seminar On ADR In Frontier Domains

About NUALS

The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi, established in 2005 by the Kerala State Legislature, is a preeminent institution recognised for its excellence in legal education. Renowned for its distinct approach, it offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs that blend academic rigor with practical training. With its innovative teaching methodologies and unique pedagogy, NUALS fosters an intuitive and dynamic learning environment, shaping future leaders in law. Nestled within a vibrant 10-acre campus, NUALS boasts state of-the-art facilities and a student-friendly atmosphere. The University houses over 16 specialised research centres that provide a holistic platform for students and faculty to engage in groundbreaking research. With over 500 vibrant students, the University is a thriving hub of activity, hosting numerous clubs, forums, and societies that encourage both curricular and co-curricular excellence. The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Society, which organises the NUALS Mediation Competition, plays a key role in advancing practical skills in mediation and negotiation, reflecting the University's commitment to producing well-rounded, socially conscious legal professionals. NUALS remains dedicated to shaping the future of legal education by cultivating sound legal acumen and promoting innovative approaches to dispute resolution.

About the ADR Society

The NUALS ADR Society was established to equip students with essential skills and foundational knowledge in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including arbitration, negotiation, mediation, and conciliation. Recognising the increasing significance of ADR in fostering efficient and amicable conflict resolution, the Society encourages participation in leading national and international competitions and professional development programmes. It also hosts ADR-focused events and welcomes student teams from across the globe each academic year. The Society's key initiatives, such as the NUALS Mediation Competition and the International ADR Seminar, contribute to strengthening a dynamic and evolving ADR culture within the University.

About the Organising Committee of the NUALS IADR Seminar 2026

The Organising Committee of the NUALS International ADR Seminar 2026 has designed the second edition of the seminar as an academic platform aimed at engaging and developing emerging mediators and negotiators. The Committee seeks to facilitate an intellectually enriching environment that supports collaboration, skill-building, and the advancement of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scholarship.

The seminar brings together a distinguished panel of ADR professionals who serve as judges, offering participants valuable insights from industry experts. Strategic associations with leading firms and institutions enhance the seminar's academic and practical dimensions, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Through meticulous planning and academic coordination, the Organising Committee aspires to deliver a meaningful and impactful seminar marked by rigorous engagement, high-quality presentations, and constructive dialogue.

About the Seminar

The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi, in collaboration with the NUALS ADR Society, is organising the International Seminar on ADR in Frontier Domains: Digital Economies, Global Governance, and Technological Futures. The seminar examines the evolving role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in sectors transformed by technological innovation, cross-border regulatory developments, and the increasing interconnectedness of global systems.

As digital economies expand, disputes arising from cross-border e-commerce, smart contracts, cryptocurrency transactions, data-driven platforms, and automated systems frequently extend beyond traditional legal frameworks. In this context, ADR mechanisms that are adaptable, efficient, and technology-aware have become essential for addressing conflicts that conventional litigation may be ill-equipped to resolve.

A key thematic focus of the seminar is Maritime and Admiralty Dispute Resolution. India's strategic maritime position, particularly the prominence of Kochi as a coastal and commercial hub, underscores the need for specialised approaches to charter party disagreements, marine insurance claims, port and logistics disputes, vessel arrest proceedings, and environmental maritime concerns. The practices of institutions such as the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration, and the Society of Maritime Arbitrators illustrate the growing importance of sector-specific ADR in global maritime governance.

The seminar also explores ADR applications in technologically advanced and legally sensitive domains, including outer space activities, aviation operations, defence cooperation, global health systems, biotechnology, environmental management, and corporate governance. These areas demand dispute resolution models capable of responding to rapid scientific advancement, diverse regulatory regimes, and heightened ethical considerations.

Further discussions address digital sovereignty, data localisation requirements, cybersecurity investigations, AI governance, decentralised finance, migration and humanitarian issues, cultural heritage protection, and disputes emerging from international sports, e-sports, and virtual gaming environments. Each of these domains presents unique challenges that call for innovative, neutral, and internationally coherent dispute resolution mechanisms.

By convening scholars, policymakers, maritime experts, technology specialists, and legal practitioners, the seminar aims to facilitate informed dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration. The initiative contributes to the development of a forward-looking global ADR framework that supports commercial certainty, technological progress, sustainable development, and international cooperation in a rapidly evolving world.

Important Dates:

Registration Fees:

Call For Papers Theme:

ADR in Frontier Domains: Digital Economies, Maritime Innovation, Global Governance, and Technological Futures

Sub-Themes/Submission Categories:

1. Maritime and Admiralty Dispute Resolution

· Shipping, Charter Party & Freight Disputes through Arbitration Admiralty

· Jurisdiction Conflicts & Arrest of Vessels

· Marine Insurance & P&I Club Arbitration

· Port Operations, Logistics, and Trade Disputes

· Salvage, Collision, and Marine Pollution Claims via ADR

· International Maritime Arbitration Institutions (LMAA, SCMA, SMA, etc.)

2. ADR and Digital Economies

· Arbitration in Cross-Border E-Commerce Disputes

· Digital Consumer Protection through ODR

· Online Marketplaces & Platform Liability Disputes

· Smart Contracts and Autonomous Dispute Resolution

· Jurisdiction Issues in Virtual Business Transactions

3. Space, Aviation, and Defence Disputes

· Space Law Arbitration (Satellite Collisions, Space Debris Liability)

· Defence Procurement Disputes & Confidentiality Challenges

· Aviation Passenger Rights and ADR Mechanisms

· Public-Private Partnerships in Space Sector & ADR

4. ADR in Global Health & Biosecurity

· Pandemic-Related Contractual Disputes and Mediation

· ADR in Pharma Supply Chain Conflicts

· Biotechnology Patents & ADR

· WHO and International ADR Frameworks for Global Health Emergencies

5. Digital Sovereignty & Data Localisation Conflicts

· ADR Approaches to Data Localisation Restrictions

· Cross-Border Data Transfer Disputes

· Jurisdictional Conflicts in Digital Investigations

· Arbitration Clauses in International Cloud-Service Contracts

6. ESG-Driven Corporate Conflicts (Beyond Environment Alone)

· Social Equity Disputes (labour rights, diversity issues) through ADR

· Corporate Governance Failures & ADR Intervention

· ESG-Driven Investor–Company Disputes

· ADR for Ethical Supply Chain Violations (forced labour, child labour)

7. ADR in Emerging Financial Technologies

· FinTech, RegTech & Crypto-Asset Arbitration

· DeFi (Decentralised Finance) Smart-Contract Disputes

· Cross-Border Cryptocurrency Fraud Arbitration

· CBDCs and Monetary Dispute Resolution

8. AI-Governance, Algorithmic Accountability & ADR

· AI-Generated Harm: Liability and ADR

· Algorithm Bias Disputes & Tech-Mediation Disputes Involving Autonomous Vehicles and Robots

· AI-Regulation Compliance Conflicts

9. ADR for Global Migration & Humanitarian Issues

· Refugee Rights Disputes and Mediation

· Cross-Border Family Disputes & Humanitarian Arbitration

· Statelessness & Identity Issues in International Mediation

· ADR in Disaster Relief Contracts

10. Cultural Preservation, Heritage, and Indigenous Rights

· ADR for Indigenous Land and Resource Conflicts

· Cultural Heritage Restitution Disputes

· ADR in Community-Led Environmental Conservation Projects

· Traditional & Customary Justice Systems vs. Modern ADR

11. ADR in International Sports, Betting, and Gaming Technologies

· E-Sports Arbitration & Digital Athlete Rights

· Integrity and Anti-Doping Disputes in Next-Gen Sports

· Cross-Border Online Gaming and Betting Disputes

· Intellectual Property Conflicts in Virtual Sports Platforms

(Note: The list of themes is merely suggestive and not exhaustive.)

Submission Guidelines

Abstract: 200–500 words, with a cover letter including the author(s)' profile.

Full Paper: 3000–6000 words (excluding references).

Citations: Bluebook (21st Edition).

Format: Times New Roman, Font Size 12, A4, 1.5 Line Spacing.

• Authors are required to submit their abstracts and cover letter by 11:59 PM, 25 December 2025. The notification of acceptance will be sent by 28 December 2025

• Authors are required to pay the full amount and register by 11:59 PM, 31 December 2025 and submit their full papers by 11:59 PM, 23 January 2025.

• Authors are required to submit a declaration alongside the final paper, affirming that their work is original, unpublished, and free from copyright violations. The organising committee holds no liability for any copyright infringements, and any such violation may lead to the disqualification of the paper at any stage.

• Authors must strictly adhere to these guidelines and the timeframes mentioned in the brochure, failing which their submissions will not be entertained.

• The seminar shall be conducted entirely in an online format on 25 January 2026.

Eligibility

Open to all law students, professionals, scholars and anybody who is working or studying or has worked or studied in the field of law and are willing to participate.

Selection Process

·All papers will undergo a blind review by the Editorial Committee.

·There is no cap on the total number of submissions.

·Shortlisted authors will be invited to present their papers during the online seminar

·The final winners will be adjudicated by a panel of distinguished judges comprising academicians, advocates, and jurists as well as the Editorial Committee

Awards And Recognition

Best Paper Award - ₹10,000

Second Best Paper - ₹8500

Third Best Paper - ₹6500

· Certificates of Merit for all finalists.

· Selected papers may be published in an edited volume or university publication

Contact Details

Swathi Jayachandran - +91 94451 76255

M Pranav Mruthyunjay - +91 93630 08312