The foundation stone for a new building housing the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre was laid by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The event, held at the High Court premises, was a collaborative effort between the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre and the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority, with guidance from the High Court.
In attendance were Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court Sunita Agarwal, as well as judges from the Supreme Court and the High Court. Justice Surya Kant highlighted the significance of the new building and an institutional arbitration conference in enhancing the country’s dispute resolution framework.
He emphasized that infrastructure not only serves administrative needs but also reflects an institution’s credibility. Justice Surya Kant stressed the importance of transparency and fairness in arbitration, stating that trust must be built through clear procedures and investment in arbitrator quality and training. The launch of the Centre’s digital infrastructure, including its website and newsletter, was also mentioned as a step to support arbitration development in India.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed the government’s commitment to judicial reforms aimed at establishing India as a global arbitration hub. He described the initiative as a substantial addition to the state’s judicial infrastructure, highlighting the traditional dispute resolution practices in India and the government’s focus on strengthening judicial infrastructure to ensure justice for all. Patel noted the allocation of over Rs 2,700 crore to the Law Department in the recent state budget to support this goal.
The event also featured the opening of a two-day conference titled “Institutional Arbitration at a Crossroads: Challenges and the Way Forward” at the High Court auditorium. The occasion included the unveiling of the Arbitration Centre’s logo and the launch of its redesigned website and newsletter.
