The Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), formerly Delhi High Court Arbitration Centre was established by the High Court under the able leadership of its then Chief Justice Mr. Justice Ajit Prakash Shah. DIAC was inaugurated on 25th November, 2009 by Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, the then Chief Justice of India in the august presence of Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, the then Union Minister for Law and Justice, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, the then Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi and Mr. Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and his Companion Judges of High Court of Delhi and Mr. Goolam E. Vahanvati, the then Attorney General of India. DIAC is a first High Court annexed Arbitration Centre.
The website: www.dacdelhi.org was also launched on the day of the inauguration. The inaugural speech was made by Mr. Justice Vikramajit Sen, who was also the Vice- Chairperson of the DIAC.
"The need of the hour is institutionalization of arbitration in India. Inauguration of Delhi
High Court Arbitration Centre is a momentous occasion not only for the High Court but
also for the Indian Judiciary. This Centre would act as an effective institution to realize the
objectives of ADR. With the inauguration of this Centre, we are moving a step forward to
ensure the delivery of speedy and effective justice."
(remarks of Mr. Justice Ajit Prakash Shah at the Inaugural function).
Delhi International Arbitration Centre offers state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, quit accessible to litigants and lawyers. Located within the premises of High Court of Delhi, the Centre operates from the two floors allocated to it. It has nine hearing rooms. with varying seating capacities of fifteen to twenty persons at a time, simultaneous recording of live proceeding and projection thereof on a large screen. All rooms have dedicated stenographers and support staff, ensuring smooth functioning of the Centre.
The Centre also has an understanding with an agency providing thranscription services and the interested perties can hire such services directly from the agency.