Mahindra University hosted the International Arbitration Confluence 2026: Law, Technology and the Changing World Order, a three-day international platform dedicated to examining the intersection of law, technology, and global dispute resolution. The event is hosted under the aegis of the Mahindra Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice, MU-ADR, in collaboration with IIAM-APCAM and HNLU, Raipur. It brought together over 40 judges, arbitrators, policymakers, corporate leaders, and legal scholars.
The inauguration was presided over by Hon’ble Mr. Justice V. Kameswar Rao, Judge, High Court of Delhi, as Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by Guests of Honour, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jasmeet Singh, Judge, High Court of Delhi; Hon’ble Mr. Justice Advait Sethna, Judge, High Court of Bombay; Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India; and Hon’ble Mr. Justice G. Raghuram, Former Director, National Judicial Academy. Special Invitees Mr. Gourab Banerji and Dr. Pinky Anand, both Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court of India, also graced the occasion.
The dignitaries were felicitated by Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, and Prof. (Dr.) E. R. Jayaram, Dean, School of Law, Mahindra University. Mr. Anil Xavier, Senior Advocate and President of IIAM, and Prof. (Dr.) V. C. Vivekanandan, Vice Chancellor of HNLU, Raipur, served as co-hosts of the event.
According to Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, “We are committed to building an institution that is interdisciplinary, globally engaged, and future-ready, one that responds to the changing needs of society and industry. The School of Law is positioning itself with a clear vision to move beyond traditional models of legal education and emerge as a pioneering centre for technology-driven, practice-oriented legal education. The Mahindra Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice will serve as a platform for research and policy engagement in areas of dispute resolution, contributing to both academic and professional development.”
He further added, “The MoU with Hidayatullah National Law University will create much more meaningful opportunities that will empower the next generation of leaders to navigate the evolving intersection of law and emerging technologies.”
The Confluence featured a series of four high-level panel discussions, addressing emerging trends in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), digital transformation, institutional arbitration in the financial sector, and the future of policy and youth engagement.
In his address, Chief Guest Hon’ble Mr. Justice V. Kameswar Rao said, “Arbitration in India has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. With legislative amendments, a growing number of pro-arbitration judicial decisions, and increasing alignment with global best practices, India is positioning itself as a preferred hub for both domestic and international arbitration. The shift reflects not only institutional reform, but also a broader commitment to efficiency, neutrality, and party autonomy in resolving commercial disputes.”
A significant highlight of the ceremony was the announcement by Prof. (Dr.) V. C. Vivekanandan of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur and Mahindra University. The MoU signals a formal commitment to collaborative academic programmes, joint research initiatives, and shared expertise between the two institutions in the years ahead.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jasmeet Singh drew attention to the enduring centrality of the human element in arbitral proceedings, calling for progressive and purposive interpretation of Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act — particularly in the context of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.
A dedicated Tech-Law Conference explored six specialised themes including artificial intelligence in arbitration, digital infrastructure, ESG considerations, hybrid dispute systems, and the future of arbitration frameworks. These sessions underscored the increasing role of AI, blockchain, and data governance in reshaping dispute resolution mechanisms globally.
Dr. E.R. Jayaram, Dean, School of Law, Mahindra University said,“The School of Law is committed to nurturing lawyers who understand both regulatory frameworks and technological architectures. The launch of the Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice marks a paradigm shift, moving legal education from classroom-centric learning to a practice-integrated model where students engage in real-time justice delivery.”
The event also hosted an expert Dialogue on “Legal Education and Justice Delivery”, where senior judges, practitioners, and academicians examined the shift from classroom-centric legal training to practice-integrated models that respond to real-world challenges. Discussions reflected growing complexities in areas such as cross-border disputes, digital evidence, cybersecurity, and regulatory convergence.
