The Gandhinagar International Mediation & Arbitration Centre (GIM&AC) is the operational arm of the Gandhinagar Arbitration & Mediation Foundation (GAMF) — a Section 8 not-for-profit institution established under the Companies Act, 2013, and headquartered at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
GIM&AC has been conceived as a world-class dispute resolution centre inspired by Gandhian principles of dialogue, trust, and ethical conduct, and designed in full conformity with international arbitration and mediation standards. It aims to provide a neutral, technology-driven, and efficient institutional mechanism for the settlement of commercial, civil, and cross-border disputes.
Institutional Mandate
GIM&AC operates in accordance with:
- The UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration;
- The New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards; and
- The IFSCA Expert Committee’s Recommendations on Institutional Arbitration Rules applicable to GIFT IFSC.
Its framework integrates substantive fairness with procedural efficiency, ensuring that parties — domestic or international — experience a credible, transparent, and cost-effective resolution process.
Strategic Positioning
Located in GIFT City, India’s premier International Financial Services Centre, GIM&AC serves as a bridge between Indian jurisprudence and global ADR practice. The Centre offers an institutional platform for arbitration and mediation proceedings that meet the expectations of international investors, corporations, and governments engaging with India’s expanding economic ecosystem.
Core Objectives
- To institutionalize modern arbitration and mediation practices in India;
- To promote cross-border dispute resolution aligned with global standards;
- To integrate technology and blockchain (BRAS 2.0) for record authentication and procedural transparency;
- To ensure summary disposal by default while maintaining procedural fairness;
- To encourage ethical, accessible, and inclusive ADR processes inspired by Gandhian philosophy.
Technology & Innovation
GIM&AC distinguishes itself through the deployment of advanced legal-tech infrastructure, including:
- Blockchain-based Record Authentication System (BRAS 2.0);
- AI-enabled case management and scheduling tools;
- Secure virtual hearing rooms with end-to-end encryption;
- Digital dashboards for real-time case monitoring and quality benchmarking.
Ethical & Philosophical Foundation
Guided by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, GIM&AC emphasizes conciliation before conflict, reinforcing the belief that lasting peace in commerce and society emerges from understanding and dialogue rather than confrontation.
Integration with GAMF
While GAMF provides the policy vision, governance, and institutional integrity, GIM&AC executes this mandate through rules-based operations, case administration, and procedural delivery. Together, they represent India’s first ethics-based, globally aligned institutional ADR ecosystem, advancing the nation’s vision of becoming a global hub for arbitration and mediation.
