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DAC Membership & Empanelment

The arbitration arena is open.
Now from three years of practice.

The Delhi Arbitration Centre draws its strength from its people: Hon'ble former Judges, senior advocates, and professionals of every discipline who serve on its panels and carry its work forward. Membership of DAC brings professionals into that community — and empanelment as an arbitrator places qualified members on the panel from which tribunals are constituted. With eligibility now beginning at just three years of professional experience, the doors stand open to young, dynamic professionals ready to build their careers in dispute resolution.

Apply Online for Membership Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility From 3 YearsThe experience threshold begins at three years of professional practice — opening the panel to a new generation of arbitrators.
Every Discipline WelcomeAdvocates, chartered and cost accountants, company secretaries, engineers, administrators and domain experts — arbitration needs them all.
Structured, Fair EvaluationApplications are examined by the DAC Arbitration Committee on published criteria, with personal interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Fast-Track for the EminentJudges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and recognised Senior Advocates, are empanelled on a simple application.
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The gates now open earlier. Under the revised guidelines, eligibility for empanelment begins at three years of professional experience — a deliberate invitation to young and dynamic professionals to enter the arbitration arena early, grow within an institution, and build their standing through DAC's proceedings, its Certified Courses and its internship opportunities.

Why Join

An institution to belong to — and to build from

Membership of DAC is more than a listing. Members join a working institution: they appear in and observe administered proceedings, access the Centre's hearing rooms and library of Rules and forms, attend its training programmes and workshops, and stand within a professional community led by Hon'ble former Judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts and District Courts. For members empanelled as arbitrators, DAC is the platform on which a professional reputation in dispute resolution is built — appointment by a neutral institution, cases administered end to end, and the discipline of institutional standards behind every award.

I · Criteria for Eligibility

Who may apply for empanelment as an arbitrator

For consideration as an arbitrator with DAC, the applicant should be one of the following — in each case with at least three years of the stated professional experience:

AdvocatesAn advocate with at least 3 years' experience in commercial and arbitration law, enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961.
Chartered AccountantsA chartered accountant with 3 years' professional experience in commercial and arbitration matters under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
Cost AccountantsA cost accountant with 3 years' practice focusing on commercial and arbitration laws under the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959.
Company SecretariesA company secretary with 3 years' professional experience in commercial and arbitration laws under the Company Secretaries Act, 1980.
Indian Legal ServiceA former officer of the Indian Legal Service.
Legal ProfessionalsA legal professional with 3 years' experience in legal roles in Government, an autonomous body, the public sector, or a senior position in the private sector.
EngineersAn engineering professional with 3 years' experience in the sectors referred to above.
AdministratorsAn official with high-level administrative or managerial experience in Central or State Government, the public sector, a Government-owned company, or a reputed private entity.
Domain SpecialistsA degree-holder with 3 years' professional experience in specialised sectors such as architecture, telecom, information technology, or intellectual property rights.
Judicial OfficersA person who has served as a Judge or judicial officer.
Foreign ArbitratorsA foreign national with significant arbitration experience, as evaluated by DAC.
Income criterion for private-sector professionals

Professionals or retainers in the private sector must have reported a net professional income of Rs. 4 lakhs annually for the last two years in their income-tax returns.

II · General Standards

The standards every applicant must meet

A recognised reputation for fairness and objectivity.

Neutrality and impartiality, with the avoidance of potential conflicts of interest.

No engagement in legal disputes or actions that could create a conflict of interest in arbitration cases.

No conviction for any offence involving moral or financial wrongdoing.

Sound knowledge of Indian law and the principles of justice, across fields of law, with a working understanding of domestic and international arbitration standards.

III–IX · The Process

From application to the panel

ApplySubmit the online application (or the membership form at the Centre) with qualifications, experience, areas of expertise and supporting documents.
Evaluation by the Arbitration CommitteeApplications are examined against the guidelines — academic qualifications, current occupation, areas of expertise, professional arbitration experience, institutional affiliations and cases handled in different capacities.
Personal interviewShortlisted candidates may be invited for a personal interview before the Committee.
EmpanelmentSuccessful applicants are admitted to membership and, where applicable, empanelled on the DAC panel of arbitrators.
Continuing standardsConfidential feedback from parties and counsel informs internal evaluation; the Committee may reassess empanelled arbitrators, and retains the authority to de-list, with replacements made in ongoing references where required.
Waivers & direct invitations for the eminent

Hon'ble Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts of India, and recognised Senior Advocates, are exempt from the standard procedural requirements — they are empanelled on a simple application and completion of formalities. The Arbitration Committee may also directly invite prominent figures for empanelment.

Membership Categories & Subscription

Two categories. Simple, published rates.

Individual Membership (for individuals)

Annual: Rs. 1,000 per annum + Rs. 300 one-time admission fee = Rs. 1,300

Permanent: Rs. 12,000 (12 × annual, lump sum) + Rs. 300 = Rs. 12,300

For advocates, professionals, executives and individuals.

Associate Membership (for companies & firms)

Annual: Rs. 2,500 per annum + Rs. 500 one-time admission fee = Rs. 3,000

Permanent: Rs. 30,000 (12 × annual, lump sum) + Rs. 500 = Rs. 30,500

For companies, firms and institutions.

The period of annual subscription runs from 1st April to 31st March. These Guidelines are effective from 01.04.2018, as revised. For further details, refer to the DAC Rules and Regulations of Arbitration.

Step into the arena

Apply online for membership and empanelment, or write to the Registrar, DAC for the membership form, the panel categories and any clarification on the guidelines.

Apply Online for Membership

[email protected]  ·  +91-9315100181  ·  +91-9315156330

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