The Indian Council of Arbitration

Appointment of Arbitrators

The Bench of Arbitrators to decide a dispute under the Rules of Arbitration of the Council will consist of one or more arbitrators. Normally for disputes involving claims under Rs. 1 Crore , a sole arbitrator and for claims of over Rs. 1 Crore , three arbitrators are appointed, unless the parties agree otherwise. The sole arbitrator can be appointed by the parties by common consent from the panel of arbitrators maintained by the Council. If the parties cannot agree on the person to be appointed as the sole arbitrator, the Council appoints him from the panel. In case of more arbitrators, each party nominates one arbitrator from the panel and the third arbitrator who acts as presiding arbitrator is appointed by the Council from the panel. Where the parties to a dispute belong to different countries, the third arbitrator, as far as possible, is chosen from a nationality other than that of the parties.

The arbitration proceedings are held at such place or places in India as the Bench may determine having regard to the convenience of the arbitrators and the parties. If one or both the parties are from overseas, the arbitration proceedings may also be held at any place outside India at the discretion of the Bench.