About Dr. PC Markanda
Dr. PC Markanda was a doyen of arbitration in India and practised at the national and international stage. He was popularly known as the Father of Indian Arbitration. His career spanning several decades saw him contributing immensely to the working and jurisprudence of arbitration in the country. Starting off as a civil engineer, he went on to earn a Doctor of Laws (LLD), and wrote several books on the law of arbitration, partnership, building and engineering contracts, for laypersons and experts. Dr. Markanda was also a honoured recipient of a posthumous degree of LL.D. (post-doctoral) from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL). He had to his credit more than 70 papers published in journals of repute. He illustriously served as vice-president of the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) for two consecutive terms (2007-2008 and 2008-2009) and as member of its governing body for a record number of 10 consecutive terms (1986-2019).
About Dr. PC Markanda Chair on ADR at RGNUL
Dr Markanda was a vocal advocate for research, training and education in the field; a goal vehemently shared by Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR), RGNUL. To commemorate the life and achievements of the Indian arbitration giant, a chair was set up in his name at RGNUL in 2022. The event was graced by Hon’ble Justice Arun Palli, Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court as a chief guest. Further, a grant of a generous amount of Rs. 25 lakhs was endowed for the chair by Markanda Advocates, Chandigarh.
The objective of the Chair is to set up RGNUL as a hub of Arbitration and to render training and technical assistance by way of setting up training institutes for Arbitration and Mediation. Moreover, the Chair and CADR seek to conduct meaningful research in the areas of ADR and provide consultancy by way of introducing legal start-ups and collaborations in the country; as well as impart basic education by way of initiating new degree, diploma and certificate courses by uplifting the core principles and ethics behind ADR.
To carry forward his legacy and vision, CADR constantly seeks to organize academic activities, collaborative training and research programmes. The 1st Annual Seminar on ADR- The Way Forward was an endeavour of the centre and Dr. PC Markanda Chair on ADR to promote students’ and researchers’ interest in ADR and put forward literature that contributes original and novel ideas on the subject matter.
CADR successfully organised the fifth edition of RGNUL Sports and Entertainment Law Mediation Competition (SEMC) in collaboration with Dr. PC Markanda Chair on ADR. The SEMC is one of India's premier competitions in the field of mediation, pitting the budding ADR enthusiasts against one another.
Moving forward, CADR and Dr. PC Markanda Chair on ADR, strive to bring about many such projects that disseminate information and build capacity in the field of ADR.
Chair Coordinator- Dr. Gurmanpreet Kaur,
Associate Professor of Law,
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab.