International arbitration is moving towards a prominent role for tribunal secretaries. Tribunal secretaries play a crucial role in large and complex arbitrations by providing administrative and other assistance to the arbitral tribunal. Their role includes communications with the parties, organising and attending meetings and hearings, taking notes or minutes of meetings, keeping time, drafting procedural orders, and so on. Such is the importance of tribunal secretaries in large arbitrations that they are regarded as the “fourth arbitrator”.

There is tremendous scope for tribunal secretaries in India. With India aspiring to become a hub of international arbitration and the availability of a large number of law professionals, it is possible to create a pool of tribunal secretaries. However, in order to create such a pool, it is important to professionalise tribunal secretaries through comprehensive training.

This course is aimed at equipping the candidates from a practical point of view as to the function of tribunal secretaries in arbitration, domestic and international, and to enable them handle the role of such secretaries seamlessly. This course is expected to act as a stepping stone for those students interested in commercial dispute resolution.

Considering the importance of role played by tribunal secretaries and their place in India’s march towards a robust international arbitration hub, the course and the evaluation therein is designed to be rigorous.