NLIU Bhopal Invites Registrations For Advanced Certificate Programme On Commercial Arbitration

The Programme is a practice-oriented course that seeks to bridge the divide between doctrinal legal education and the practical realities of litigation, procedural management and dispute resolution. It focuses on the strategic and drafting-oriented dimensions of commercial disputes practice, from forum selection and the drafting of the arbitration clause, to the conduct of proceedings and enforcement of the final award.

About the Organisers

• National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU): Established under Act No. 41 of 1997 enacted by the Madhya Pradesh State Legislature, and recognised by the University Grants Commission and the Bar Council of India.

• Civil & Criminal Justice Cell (CCJC): A dedicated cell at NLIU Bhopal focused on litigation strategy and dispute resolution, which organises workshops, lectures and competitions to impart practical legal education.

• Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR): A student committee dedicated to ADR activities at NLIU, which conducts internal and external ADR competitions, including Asia's oldest mediation tournament.

• Saraf & Partners: A contemporary, full-service law firm with established standing in commercial litigation and arbitration, including international and domestic arbitrations under major institutional rules, annulment and enforcement proceedings before Indian courts, and civil, commercial and insolvency-linked disputes across infrastructure, energy, technology and financial services.

Programme Structure

The Programme is delivered in hybrid mode across two stages:

• Stage I (Online): Five online learning modules delivered by the instructor, covering key aspects of commercial arbitration.

• Stage II (Offline at NLIU, Bhopal): A two-day programme featuring a drafting exercise and evaluation session, followed by a practitioner-led Roundtable Conference and a closing certification ceremony.

Stage I: Online Modules

• Session 1 – The Structure of Commercial Litigation: Statutory frameworks and jurisdictional strategy; the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 and the threshold for a “commercial dispute”; mandatory pre-institution mediation under Section 12-A; procedural strategy under Order XIII-A, CPC; forum selection between a commercial recovery suit and insolvency proceedings under the IBC.

• Session 2 – The Pre-Arbitral Framework: Contractual architecture and interim reliefs; drafting the arbitration clause; the Notice of Arbitration and arbitrator nomination strategy; interim measures under Section 9 (court) and Section 17 (tribunal); the practical mechanics of ex-parte ad-interim relief.

• Session 3 – Tribunal Dynamics and Evidentiary Advocacy in Arbitration: Drafting Statements of Claim, Statements of Defence and evidentiary affidavits; the doctrine of Kompetenz-Kompetenz; challenging unilateral arbitrator appointments under Section 12(5); cross-examining technical experts.

• Session 4 – Post-Award Defensibility, Judicial Interference and Enforcement Strategies: Challenging domestic awards under Section 34; insulating foreign-seated awards under Section 48; award modification following Gayatri Balasamy v. ISG Novasoft (2025); execution under Order XXI, CPC.

• Session 5 – Emerging Frontiers: Corporate governance; IP and cross-border risk; shareholder class actions under Section 245 of the Companies Act; arbitrability of intellectual property disputes involving fraud; managing cross-border commercial risk, including force majeure and termination risk in international infrastructure projects.

The session plan is developed in consultation with Saraf & Partners and is subject to modification.

Stage II: Offline Programme at NLIU Bhopal

• Day 1 – Drafting Exercise and Evaluation: Participants will undertake a drafting exercise, which will be evaluated by a panel of practitioners from Saraf & Partners.

• Day 2 – Roundtable Conference and Closing Ceremony: A practitioner-led Roundtable Conference with partners of Saraf & Partners and distinguished guests from the industry, followed by the distribution of certificates and prizes.

Timeline

• Registration Deadline: 11:59 PM, 21st October 2026

• Module 1: 24th October 2026, 4 PM – 6 PM (Online)

• Module 2: 25th October 2026, 4 PM – 6 PM (Online)

• Module 3: 30th October 2026, 4 PM – 6 PM (Online)

• Module 4: 31st October 2026, 4 PM – 6 PM (Online)

• Module 5: First week of November 2026, 4 PM – 6 PM (Online)

• Drafting Exercise and Evaluation: 14th November 2026 (Offline at NLIU, Bhopal)

• Roundtable Conference and Closing Ceremony: 15th November 2026 (Offline at NLIU, Bhopal)

Eligibility

• The Programme is open to individual participants pursuing either the 3-year LL.B. or 5-year LL.B. programme.

• Participants must be present at NLIU Bhopal on 14th and 15th November 2026 to take part in Stage II of the Programme.

Registration Fee

The registration fee is ₹6,000 (inclusive of accommodation).

Awards and Prizes

• Certificate of Completion: Awarded to participants who attend all online sessions and participate in the offline programme at NLIU, Bhopal.

• Winners: Cash prize of ₹20,000, along with an internship opportunity at Saraf & Partners.

• Runners-up: Cash prize of ₹12,000, along with an internship opportunity at Saraf & Partners.

• Certificates of Merit: Awarded to recognise outstanding performance in the draft submission and evaluation rounds.

Registration Process

• Registrations must be made through the official registration form provided below.

• Payment of the registration fee must additionally be made via the ERP portal on the official website of NLIU.

• Participants must provide their full name, institution, course and year of study, email address and contact number.

• The last date for registration is 11:59 PM, 21st October 2026.

• Seats are limited and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

https://forms.gle/rcR8VJHQrbJmX7LR9

NLIU – Saraf & Partners Advance Certificate Programme on Commercial Arbitration: Registration Form

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Queries

For any queries regarding the Programme or the registration process, please contact:

• Civil & Criminal Justice Cell: ccjc@nliu.ac.in | Priyanshu Danu, Convenor, CCJC: +91 9723624226

• Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution: cadr@nliu.ac.in | Krishiv Narula, Convenor, CADR: +91 9810579527