Arbitration center more than an alternative to court: Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi

The Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre (GHAC) hosted a three-day arbitration conference at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, drawing participants including Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, three Supreme Court judges, and several Gujarat High Court judges. The conference aimed to build Gujarat's institutional arbitration ecosystem and marked the beginning of the GHAC Arbitration Week 2026.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi emphasized that arbitration should not be viewed merely as an alternative to courts. Instead, he stressed the significance of arbitration centers in resolving high-profile cases. Sanghavi also highlighted that strengthening arbitration in the state could attract foreign firms to GIFT City, bolstering investment opportunities.

Justice K V Viswanathan, one of the Supreme Court judges present, advocated for arbitration to be considered a primary dispute resolution system. He stressed the importance of an arbitration institution's quality, focusing on administration, process independence, and competent decision-making. Justice N V Anjaria echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for cost-effectiveness, party-centric processes, and easy accessibility for the general public while minimizing judicial intervention.

Chief Justice Sunita Agrawal read a written message from Justice P S Narsimha, underscoring the role of arbitration in cost-saving and efficient dispute resolution.