Most of the case never needs a room. For the moments that do — the Centre is ready.
In the lifecycle of an arbitration, the pleadings stage is largely procedural — statements, documents and applications move on the record, and parties rarely require a physical hearing room. But there are moments that deserve a table: when the parties wish to address final arguments physically before the arbitrator, and when the cross-examination of a witness demands a neutral place. For these moments, DAC provides neutral hearing rooms at different locations — through its tie-ups with service providers, a network the Centre keeps enhancing — on a chargeable basis, at one fixed, most reasonable rate that remains the same at every location, subject to availability of the place and prior confirmation.
₹ 5,500 per SessionEach session is of two hours' duration — one fixed, most reasonable rate, the same at every location in the network.
Up to 8 PersonsA maximum of eight persons can be accommodated in a single hearing room — tribunal, parties, counsel and witness.
Electronic Recording of EvidenceAudio-visual aids for recording cross-examination electronically, with printouts of the order sheet available.
A Network of LocationsNeutral hearing rooms at different locations through DAC's tie-ups with service providers — subject to availability of the place and prior confirmation, with advance deposit.
When a Room Is Needed
Three moments in a case that call for a physical hearing
Final ArgumentsWhen the matter is ripe for judgment and the parties feel the closing addresses should be made physically before the arbitrator — face to face, with the complete record on the table.
Cross-Examination of WitnessesThe recording of oral evidence requires a neutral place — controlled by neither party — with the witness, counsel and the recording arrangements together in one confidential room.
Any Hearing the Tribunal DirectsWhere the Tribunal directs a physical or hybrid sitting for any stage of the proceedings, the Centre's rooms provide the venue.
Everything else — pleadings, procedural directions, mentioning, short hearings — proceeds comfortably on the record or through online dispute resolution, saving the parties the cost of a room they do not need. That is precisely why the rooms are charged per session: parties pay only for the sittings that truly require them.
To cater to these needs wherever they arise, the Centre maintains a network of neutral hearing-room locations through its tie-ups with different service providers — and keeps enhancing that network. Whichever location suits the parties and the tribunal, the rate is fixed and remains the same: one most reasonable charge at every location, subject only to the availability of the place, which is confirmed in advance on booking.
Inside the Room
Cross-examination, recorded electronically — in the vernacular and in English
DAC's hearing rooms are equipped for the modern recording of evidence. The witness deposes through a microphone; counsel puts questions through a microphone; and the system records the proceedings electronically on computer — capturing the deposition in the vernacular language in which it is spoken, alongside its English translation — subject always to the directions of the Tribunal identifying the official record.
The wired hearing room — witness and counsel on microphones, and the system recording the cross-examination electronically on computer — in the vernacular, with its English translation, line by line.
Charges & Facilities
One transparent rate. Everything you need for the sitting.
₹ 5,500per session of two hours
All sessions are of two hours' duration. A sitting extending beyond two hours is treated as an additional session and charged accordingly. The rate is fixed at the most reasonable level and remains the same at every location in the network. Rooms accommodate a maximum of eight persons — sufficient for the tribunal, the parties, their counsel and the witness. The amount is deposited in advance with DAC.
Neutral & Confidential VenueRooms controlled by neither party — at different locations across DAC's service-provider network, so a convenient neutral venue is available where the parties need it.
Audio-Visual Recording AidsFacility for recording cross-examination electronically on computer, subject to the directions of the Tribunal identifying the official record.
Order-Sheet PrintoutsFacility for taking printouts of the order sheet during the sitting, so the day's proceedings leave the room signed and complete.
RefreshmentsOnly tea/coffee and water are provided during the session. No other catering is arranged by the Centre.
Stenographer — Not ProvidedThe steno facility is not available with the Centre. Where a stenographer is required, the parties arrange one at their own cost, subject to the Tribunal's directions.
Limited AvailabilityRooms are made available strictly as per the availability of the place at the requested location — prior confirmation from the Centre and advance booking are essential.
How to Book
Booking a hearing room
Send a booking request to the Registrar, DACEmail [email protected] with the case number, the parties' names, the purpose of the sitting (final arguments / cross-examination / as directed), the proposed date, the preferred location or area, and the number of two-hour sessions required.
Confirmation subject to availabilityThe Centre identifies a suitable neutral location from its service-provider network and confirms the booking strictly as per the availability of the place on the requested date and time.
Advance deposit with DACThe charges of ₹ 5,500 per two-hour session — the same at every location — are deposited in advance with DAC; the booking stands reserved upon receipt of the deposit and confirmation of the place.
The sittingThe room is ready with the recording arrangements and order-sheet printing; tea/coffee and water are served during the session.
Please plan the sitting realistically: where cross-examination of a witness is likely to run long, book consecutive sessions in advance — an adjourned or overrun sitting may not find a room free on the next convenient date.
Booking Request
Request a hearing room
Complete the form below with your case details, proposed date and number of sessions required. The Centre will confirm availability and the advance deposit process.
Reserve your hearing room
Write to the Registrar, DAC with your case number, purpose, proposed date, preferred location and the number of sessions required. The Centre will identify a neutral hearing room from its network, confirm availability, and guide you through the advance deposit.
