This article is written by Uzair Ahmad Khan, Student, Teerthankar Mahaveer University, Moradabad. Here he has discussed top Arbitration Law in India.

Introduction

The area of arbitration is increasing day by day as many fresh law graduates and even practicing lawyer are inclining towards arbitration. Even eminent lawyer Mr.Fali S. Nariman in his recent speech at a seminar conducted by ICADR (The International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution) on “ Ethics in Arbitration” says the future of “Arbitration is bright, but only because the future of litigation is not”.

Tier 1 Arbitration firms

• Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

It has been active in disputes relating to contractual litigation, insolvency and bankruptcy, infrastructure matters and demerger issues. The team is well known for its established track record appearing before the Supreme Court, regional High Courts, domestic and international arbitral forums, and regulatory tribunals.

• Dua Associates

Dua associates ranked tier 1 law firm in dispute resolution by the legal 500, the team is representing the Dow Chemical Company and Union Carbide Corporation before the Supreme Court of India in ongoing proceedings involving compensation sought by the Union of India and non-governmental organizations via a curative petition; the litigation pertains to the outcome of an industrial disaster in Bhopal in 1984.

• Economic laws practice

ELP is recognized internationally as a thought-leader in India for arbitration. The team is sought out for its knowledge and received tremendous appreciation from industry stalwarts as well as professionals for its Analysis of the Amendments to Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

They have represented clients in proceedings before various institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), LCIA India, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), The Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA), etc. and also in Ad-hoc proceedings around the world, with amount in disputes ranging from a few millions to billions of dollars.

• HSA Advocates

HSA Advocates are one of the top tier firms in handling disputes with vast experience in sectors such as electricity, airport, oil and gas, roads and telecommunications. It has the most recommended Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution practice.

They are one of the top advisors in the area of commercial disputes, regulatory matters, and criminal proceedings. Their dispute & litigation lawyers have the expertise to identify and execute most appropriate business solutions to various legal disputes including pursuing or defending litigation, arbitration, mediation, and regulatory matters.

• Kachwaha & Partners

Kachwaha & Partners’ is also coming under the category of the tier 1 arbitration firm. Dispute resolution practice is a cornerstone area of strength for the firm. The team is expert at handling litigation and arbitration matters, notably in the construction, banking, and commercial sectors.  The arbitration practice is headed by Sumeet Kachwaha and highly regarded for his expertise in arbitration proceedings.

• L&L Partners Law Offices

L&L Partners Law Offices team is expert at handling the full range of commercial litigation and is noted for its extensive expertise in international commercial arbitrations. Its recent work includes acting for Felguera Gruas India in a contractual dispute relating to non-payment of dues and claims for damages.

Tier 2 Arbitration law firms

• AZB & Partners

It has been ranked tier 2 rank by the legal 500 in Dispute resolution category. AZB & Partners have excellent disputes practice and is well known for representing clients before the High Court and Supreme Court of India. Its clients are Tata Sons, Harper Collins Publishers (India), and Kochi Cricket.

• Dhir & Dhir Associates

Managing partners Alok Dhir and Maneesha Dhir are notable disputes practitioners, and Sachin Gupta heads the practice at Dhir & Dhir Associates. Its recent work includes representing the Save Avail Trust in an objection against the construction of an abattoir in Faridabad, on the grounds that the information provided for the construction was misrepresented.

• Bharucha & Partners

Bharucha & Partners has also labeled as tier 2 law arbitration firm by the legal 500. Its strong client roster of companies from the real estate, telecoms, and environment sectors. Recent disputes instructions include representing the Collage Group in relation to real estate development projects undertaken with the Unitech Group and the applicability of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016.

• LexCounsel

Members of LexCounsel regularly conducts arbitration and mediation, assisting clients to expeditiously resolve their disputes. It has seen a recent increase in property-related disputes and insolvency; for example, the team represented Luxconsult (Mauritius) before the Delhi High Court in a dispute regarding the construction of a university in Mauritius, and in another matter, the group acted for Horseshoe Entertainment in a contractual dispute with a joint venture partner.

• Phoenix Legal

The firm represents and advises clients in dispute resolution processes such as domestic and international arbitration, mediation and strategic advice on potential disputes. Its domestic and international arbitration practice is well-recognized. It includes advising on arbitrations under the Indian arbitration legislation (ad hoc arbitrations) to institutional arbitrations under the supervision of international arbitration centers such as SIAC, ICC, and LCIA.

Tier 3 Arbitration Firms

• Advani & Co

Advani & Co. is the oldest specialized arbitration practice in India. They have pioneered growth of arbitration law and practice in India for over four decades. It is also listed in Band 1 – All India Arbitration by  Chambers & Partners, 2018. The firm is noted for appearing in petitions against the Indian government, and representing clients before a range of institutions, including International Chamber of Commerce, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and the London Court of International Arbitration.

• BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors

BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors has been ranked as tier 3 in dispute resolution by the legal 500. Its disputes team is prompt, straight to the point’ and ‘up-to-date on industry knowledge’.

The firm has notable strength in assisting clients with enforcing foreign arbitral awards in India; Its recent work includes advising ONGC Videsh on an arbitration claim against the government of Sudan for recovering unpaid oil dues. Bonita Hathi and Shrikant Hathi are the key practitioners.

• DSK Legal

Managing partner Anand Desai heads the ‘excellent‘ practice at DSK Legal which has been especially active in the arbitration space, representing clients from the infrastructure, media, financial services, and real estate sectors. On the litigation front, the group is representing the State of Maharashtra and Public Works Department in a dispute against KS Chamankar Enterprises over land development agreements.

• Indus Law

Indus Law has arbitration proceedings across all practice areas, including advice in relation to injunctive relief from the courts prior to, during and post-arbitration proceedings and proceedings in court for enforcement of the arbitral award.

• Keystone Partners

Keystone Partners ‘ ‘excellent‘ team provides ‘comprehensive, consistent and quality advice‘ on disputes across a range of sectors. Pradeep Nayak is a key practitioner. Keystone Partners have Particular expertise in handling high-value construction arbitrations relating to the construction of dams, power plants, highways, nuclear plants, mixed development projects etc.

Tier 4 Arbitration firm

• Classic Law

The Firm has handled complex EPC related arbitration (domestic and international) and litigation across various courts in India. The Firm has extensive experience in debt recovery matters and enforcement of domestic and foreign awards with effective results.

The team has been actively dealing with contentious matters across a range of sectors including, insurance, aviation, infrastructure, consumer disputes, competition, telecom, employment, corporate, maritime, banking and finance, real estate, IPR, white collar offenses related disputes.

• Solomon & Co. Advocates & Solicitors

We have acted on many landmark litigation and arbitration matters in India including disputes relating to land, property, and inheritance, disputes among company shareholders, disputes relating to initiating or defending debt recovery proceedings, writ petitions, regulatory inquiries, tax matters, and others.

• Dhaval Vussonji & Associates

Dhaval Vussonji & Associates established themselves as one of the notable players in the field of dispute resolution and litigation. The dispute resolution practice extends to company law, real estate, family law, banking and finance, slum rehabilitation schemes, redevelopment projects, security enforcement, suits for specific performance of contracts and testamentary suits.

• Singhania & Co

Singhania & Co are proficient in representing parties in formal and informal arbitration, mediation, facilitation, summary jury trial, and other ADR processes. Their experience includes representation in court-sponsored facilitation and mediation, private arbitration proceedings and before international tribunals such as the International Court of Arbitration. Singhania & Co also assist with designing comprehensive ADR programs to reduce the time, cost and aggravation of repetitive, ongoing disputes.

• MZM Legal

MZM Legal has experience in dealing with complex, high-stakes disputes on a local, national and a multi-jurisdiction level, including large cross border disputes and international arbitration matters across countries such as the United Kingdom, United States of America, Bangladesh, Germany, South Africa, Kuwait, the and United Arab Emirates.