ICSI Unveils Global ADR Centre to Tackle Court Backlog and Speed Up Justice The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has announced plans to establish an international centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to address the growing backlog in courts and expedite the resolution of commercial and civil disputes. The initiative, aimed at creating a parallel mechanism to the formal judicial system, was highlighted by ICSI national president Pawan Chandak, who emphasized the urgent need for systemic alternatives due to the overwhelming workload of courts. Chandak cited remarks by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, noting that the judiciary’s current overload could result in cases taking decades to resolve. The proposed ADR centre will initially be based in Noida, with plans to expand to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, as well as international hubs like Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and London. Chandak described the platform as a "structured ecosystem" for arbitration and mediation, designed to complement the judicial system by diverting disputes to specialized forums. This approach is expected to reduce delays and provide more efficient solutions for parties involved in legal conflicts. Beyond dispute resolution, ICSI is broadening its engagement with emerging businesses through initiatives like the Startup and MSME Catalyst programme. This programme aims to equip company secretaries with expertise in business registration, financing, and compliance, supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises. The institute is also strengthening its global outreach in collaboration with the ministry of external affairs, focusing on corporate governance frameworks that address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, sustainability disclosures, and global risk management.#delhi #noida #surya_kant #icsi #pawan_chandak
