CJI Pitches Common Arbitration Platform at BRICS Chief Justices' Forum

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday proposed the creation of a common platform for arbitration and mediation to address commercial disputes, as he underscored the judiciary's role in fostering coordinated bilateral cooperation and strengthening ties between nations.

Speaking on the opening day of the BRICS Chief Justices' Forum, hosted by the Supreme Court in New Delhi, the CJI also held a series of bilateral meetings with heads of judicial delegations from member states and partner countries.

Among those he met were the chief justices of Russia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, and Iran, along with senior judicial leaders from the UAE, Belarus, Kazakhstan, South Africa, and Uzbekistan.

The discussions centred on memoranda of understanding for judicial cooperation, the use of mediation and arbitration in business disputes, and creating a favourable environment for commercial activity. The need for efficient commercial courts to boost foreign investor confidence, mutual recognition of judicial awards, and the use of institutions like the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal for professional exchanges were also on the agenda.

Delegates exchanged views on best legal practices, holding bilateral conferences on contemporary legal issues, and integrating technology—particularly artificial intelligence—to improve judicial efficiency. The Supreme Court said the meetings offered a chance for direct interaction on matters of mutual interest and would help deepen engagement among the participating judiciaries.

The three-day forum is being attended by judicial leaders from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE, as well as partner countries including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. Heads of delegations are scheduled to address the forum on the second day.