India’s dispute resolution landscape marked a significant institutional milestone with India International Disputes Week (IIDW) 2026 being formally placed under the aegis of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, alongside the launch of the Chandigarh International Arbitration Centre (CIAC) during the inaugural ceremony in Chandigarh.
The first edition of IIDW, being held from 7 to 11 March 2026, brings together judges, senior advocates, legal practitioners, policymakers, arbitral institutions, in-house counsel and international experts for five days of focused dialogue across litigation, arbitration, mediation and emerging dispute domains.
With IIDW now operating under the institutional umbrella of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the platform assumes a distinctly court-supported character, reinforcing its credibility as a national–international forum aimed at strengthening India’s dispute resolution ecosystem. The association underscores the High Court’s continuing commitment to institutional innovation, efficiency, and the development of structured alternatives to traditional litigation.
The inaugural is slated to be graced by Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, as the Chief Guest. He will be joined by Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, underscoring the High Court’s institutional patronage of IIDW 2026.
The inaugural session is also expected to feature addresses by R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, and Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, who are likely to reflect on India’s growing role in cross-border dispute resolution and the importance of robust, court-supported arbitral institutions. Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India is also scheduled to participate.
A central highlight of IIDW 2026 is the formal launch of the Chandigarh International Arbitration Centre (CIAC), conceived as a rules-based, professionally administered arbitral institution functioning under the aegis of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Centre has been established to administer domestic and international arbitrations, facilitate appointment of arbitrators, provide emergency arbitration mechanisms, and integrate online dispute resolution facilities within a transparent and disciplined procedural framework.
The launch of CIAC during IIDW’s inaugural edition reflects a shared institutional vision to position Chandigarh as a modern and dependable seat for high-value arbitration and mediation, particularly for North India. By combining judicial oversight with technological adaptability and structured case management, CIAC seeks to enhance confidence in institutional arbitration and align Indian dispute resolution practices with global best standards.
IIDW 2026 is structured as a practice-focused, five-day programme, with each day dedicated to a distinct dispute resolution theme ranging from civil courts and constitutional litigation to commercial disputes, cross-border enforcement, international arbitration and mediation strategy. The forum is designed to move beyond abstract discussions and focus on practical insights, enforcement realities, and institutional capacity-building.
