Lexis Nexis’s The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (Bare Act) by Universal – 2026 Edition.

The Complete ADR Handbook: Arbitration, Mediation & Institutional Rules.

Dispute resolution in India is no longer just about the 1996 Act. With the government pushing for Institutional Arbitration and the new Mediation Act, 2023, the landscape has changed. Universal’s 2026 Bare Act is the only compact resource that captures this entire ecosystem. It doesn’t just list the sections; it includes the brand new 2024 Regulations that every corporate lawyer needs to know.

Why is the 2026 Edition Mandatory? If you are still using an old bare act, you are missing the “India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC)” framework. This edition is updated with the latest 2024 rules specifically designed for MSME Arbitration—a growing field of practice for younger lawyers.

Key Features & Critical Updates

• The Mediation Act, 2023 (The Game Changer):

  • The cover explicitly notes: “as amended by The Mediation Act, 2023”.

  • This is crucial because the new Mediation Act has modified the Arbitration Act, impacting how disputes are handled before they even reach a tribunal (Pre-Litigation Mediation).

• New IIAC Regulations (2023 & 2024):

  • Exclusive: Contains the “Conduct of Micro and Small Enterprises Arbitration Regulations, 2024”.

  • Benefit: Essential for lawyers representing small businesses (MSMEs). It lays out a faster, cheaper arbitration path that is distinct from standard commercial arbitration.

  • Also includes the Conduct of Arbitration Regulations, 2023 and Panel of Arbitrators Criteria.

• Practical Drafting Tools:

  • Model Specimens of Arbitration Agreements: Stop copying old clauses. Use these updated models to draft “Dispute Resolution Clauses” that will stand up in court and won’t be struck down for vagueness.

• Appointment of Arbitrators Scheme:

  • Includes the “Appointment of Arbitrators by The Chief Justice of India Scheme, 1996”, which is the procedural bible for filing Section 11 applications in the High Court.

Who is this Book For?

• Corporate Lawyers: Mandatory for drafting contracts. You need to know the new IIAC rules to advise clients on which “Arbitration Centre” to nominate in their agreements.

• MSME Consultants: The specific inclusion of the 2024 MSME Regulations helps you advise small business clients on low-cost dispute resolution.

• Law Students: “ADR” (Alternative Dispute Resolution) is a compulsory clinical course. This book covers the entire syllabus: Arbitration, Conciliation, and the new Mediation Act.

• Arbitrators: A handy reference guide for the IIAC (Conduct of Arbitration) Regulations, 2023.

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