IIDRC Hosts Exclusive Round Table on “The Arbitration Advantage” in New Delhi

The Institutional & Industrial Dispute Resolution Centre (IIDRC) successfully hosted an exclusive Round Table at The Suryaa Hotel, New Delhi, on the theme “The Arbitration Advantage: Helping MSMEs Resolve Disputes Efficiently in India.” The high-tea session brought together over 40 distinguished MSME leaders, legal professionals, and industry stakeholders to discuss how arbitration can serve as a faster, business-friendly alternative to litigation.

Guest of Honour & Keynote

Guest of Honour Dr. Mahmood Hussain, Founding Partner at M & Co Legal, UAE, highlighted the critical role of cultural intelligence in effective arbitration. He emphasized that understanding local norms not only helps avert crises but also preserves relationships and transforms culture into a strategic advantage in dispute resolution.

Hon’ble Justice Najmi Waziri, in his keynote address, underscored the transformative potential of the MSME Development Act, 2006 in combating delayed payments. He called for stronger enforcement and greater awareness so that capital stuck in disputes can flow back into commerce, thereby fortifying India’s MSME backbone.

Panel Discussion: Bridging Law and Commerce

A thought-provoking panel discussion explored how arbitration can bridge the gap between law and commerce for MSMEs by prioritizing speed, cost-efficiency, and relationship preservation over prolonged litigation.

Panelists included:

• M.A. Johar, President Strategy, CP Plus
  

• Adv. Tariq Khan, Head of International Arbitration, M & Co Legal, UAE
  

• Adv. Divyam Aggarwal, Partner, J. Sagar Associates
  

• Adv. Jyoti Kumar Chaudhary, Senior Partner, Hammurabi & Solomo

• Adv. Zafar Khurshid, Partner, TKC Law Firm

• Pragya Parijat Singh, Founder, Pranutan Legal Law
  
  

Outcome & Next Steps

The discussions produced actionable insights on practical contract clauses, facilitation pathways, and enforcement strategies under the MSME Act. IIDRC announced that it will compile these takeaways for the benefit of MSMEs and ecosystem partners, serving as a practical guide for businesses.

New Initiative Announced: IIDRC Edge

In his closing remarks, Hamid Baig, CEO of IIDRC, announced the launch of IIDRC Edge — the training and education wing of IIDRC. This initiative will focus on building arbitration and legal capacity for MSMEs, young lawyers, and industry stakeholders, ensuring wider adoption and deeper understanding of alternative dispute resolution practices.