India has emerged as one of the most dynamic arbitration jurisdictions in the world, transforming from a litigation-heavy legal culture to a pro-arbitration environment that rivals established global hubs. This evolution has been driven by progressive legislative reforms, landmark judicial pronouncements, and the rise of world-class law firms that have developed sophisticated arbitration practices capable of handling the most complex commercial disputes.
The Indian arbitration market in 2026 stands at an inflection point. With the Arbitration and Conciliation Act continuing to be refined through amendments and judicial interpretation, and with India positioning itself as a seat of choice for international arbitrations, the demand for expert legal counsel has never been greater. Indian businesses, multinational corporations, and foreign investors increasingly turn to arbitration as their preferred method of dispute resolution, valuing its efficiency, confidentiality, and finality over protracted court litigation.
This comprehensive guide examines the top ten arbitration firms that are shaping India’s dispute resolution landscape in 2026. These firms have distinguished themselves through their technical expertise, track record of successful outcomes, depth of experience across sectors, and ability to navigate both domestic arbitrations under Indian law and international arbitrations seated in major global hubs. Understanding what sets these firms apart will help businesses, general counsels, and legal professionals make informed decisions when selecting arbitration counsel for their most critical disputes.
The Top 10 Indian Arbitration Firms Leading in 2026
1. Trilegal
Trilegal has established itself as India’s preeminent arbitration firm, with a practice that is regularly described as world-class by clients and international legal directories. With a dedicated international arbitration group comprising 161 lawyers and 16 partners, Trilegal’s arbitration practice is one of the largest and most sophisticated in the country. The firm has grown from its founding 25 years ago with a handful of lawyers into a full-service powerhouse with over 1,000 professionals across four offices in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Gurugram, and New Delhi.
What distinguishes Trilegal is the depth and breadth of its arbitration experience. The firm handles both India-seated and foreign-seated arbitrations, regularly collaborating with leading foreign law firms and barristers’ chambers as co-counsel. Clients consistently praise Trilegal for being a level above other firms in the Indian market, citing the team’s quick turnaround times, dedication, responsiveness, and strong drafting abilities combined with sound legal analysis. One client noted that when Trilegal was brought in late in an arbitration, the team was immediately on top of the issues and showed initiative in identifying gaps that ultimately helped win the case.
The practice is led by senior partners including Shankh Sengupta in Delhi and Nitesh Jain in Mumbai, both of whom are recognized as leading arbitration practitioners in India. The firm has particular strength in the power, aviation, and oil and gas sectors, representing major clients such as ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, Jindal Steel, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, TerraForm Global, Leonardo Germany, and Marriott Group. Trilegal’s work spans ICC, SIAC, LCIA, and ad hoc arbitrations, covering everything from commercial disputes and shareholder disagreements to regulatory matters and white-collar crime issues.
Trilegal’s approach is distinctive in that it tailors strategies to each case, recognizing that disputes may involve not just arbitration but also regulatory issues, related litigation, and sometimes criminal matters. This comprehensive 360-degree service approach has made the firm the go-to choice for clients with complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes. The firm’s emphasis on aligning litigation strategy with commercial interests while recognizing time sensitivities has earned it repeat mandates from sophisticated clients who value strategic thinking as much as technical excellence.
2. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, commonly known as CAM, operates one of India’s most distinguished dispute resolution practices, with arbitration as a core focus area. The firm has built a reputation for handling the most complex and high-stakes arbitrations in the country, representing leading corporations across all major industry sectors including energy, banking and finance, construction and infrastructure, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and technology.
CAM’s arbitration team comprises specialists with extensive multi-sector experience in domestic commercial arbitration, international commercial arbitration, and investor-state arbitration. The firm’s thought leadership in arbitration is evidenced by its involvement in several landmark court rulings that have shaped Indian arbitration law, including cases that settled the applicability of the 2015 amendments to pending proceedings and established that two Indian parties can choose a foreign seat of arbitration.
Led by Managing Partner Cyril Shroff and International Arbitration Head Shaneen Parikh, CAM’s arbitration partners are associated with leading arbitral institutions globally, including the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, the International Bar Association, ICC, HKIAC, LCIA, MCIA, and SIAC. This international engagement ensures that the firm remains at the forefront of global arbitration developments while bringing those insights to bear on Indian disputes.
The firm’s expertise spans ad hoc arbitrations and institutional arbitrations before all major international arbitration centers. CAM regularly handles emergency arbitrator proceedings and has developed particular proficiency in urgent, business-critical arbitrations where time is of the essence. The firm assembles cross-practice teams tailored to specific arbitration needs, drawing on its full-service capabilities in areas such as corporate law, tax, regulatory compliance, and financial services to provide holistic advice that addresses all dimensions of complex disputes.
3. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, known as SAM, is recognized as one of India’s leading law firms for both international and domestic arbitration. The firm emerged from a restructuring of the historic Amarchand & Mangaldas practice and has since established itself as a Tier 1 legal entity, consistently ranking among the top three law firms across various practice areas in India.
SAM’s dispute resolution practice comprises over 130 lawyers, including 38 partners, led by senior litigators who are acknowledged leaders in their field with decades of experience. The firm has deep expertise in representing domestic clients before the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and tribunals across the country, while also maintaining a strong international arbitration practice with experience in arbitrations seated in major global hubs including London, Paris, Dubai, Chicago, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, The Hague, and Stockholm.
The firm has been at the forefront of landmark cases involving complex legal issues that have contributed to the development of arbitration jurisprudence in India. SAM has successfully represented clients in High Courts and the Supreme Court on issues such as the applicability of Part I of the Arbitration Act to arbitrations with seats outside India, disclosure obligations of nominated arbitrators, and the interplay between the Arbitration Act and the Commercial Courts Act. These thought leadership contributions have positioned SAM as not just a service provider but as a firm that shapes the legal framework within which arbitration operates in India.
SAM’s arbitration expertise covers diverse sectors including financial services, banking, telecommunications, construction, energy, heavy industries, oil and gas, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, media, and information technology. The firm serves a diverse clientele that includes domestic businesses, public sector entities, international corporations, private equity firms, and banking institutions. This sectoral diversity enables SAM to bring industry-specific knowledge and insights to arbitrations, understanding not just the legal issues but also the commercial context and business realities that drive disputes.
4. AZB & Partners
Since its establishment in 2004, AZB & Partners has built a highly skilled team of dispute resolution specialists that ranks among India’s elite arbitration practices. The firm’s arbitration capabilities are further strengthened by its expert corporate practice, allowing it to provide integrated advice that considers both transactional and contentious dimensions of business relationships.
AZB acts for a diverse roster of multinational corporations and financial institutions in high-stakes litigation and both domestic and international arbitration. The firm has particular strength in high-value insolvency cases and enforcement proceedings, including significant matters in distressed sectors such as steel. This combination of arbitration expertise and insolvency knowledge positions AZB uniquely to handle complex disputes involving financially stressed parties or situations where arbitration intersects with insolvency proceedings.
The full-service nature of AZB ensures that its dispute resolution practice is active across many industries, from infrastructure and aviation to technology, media, telecommunications, and banking. While the practice is extremely active in litigation before higher courts, it maintains a parallel focus on international and domestic arbitration proceedings. This dual capability allows AZB to provide strategic advice on forum selection and to handle related proceedings that may arise in both arbitration and court litigation contexts.
AZB’s arbitration team handles ICC, LCIA, SIAC, and ad hoc arbitrations, representing clients in disputes involving joint ventures, shareholder agreements, construction contracts, technology agreements, and financial transactions. The firm’s lawyers bring sophisticated analytical skills to complex fact patterns and legal issues, combined with strong advocacy abilities that have earned praise from clients and tribunals alike. AZB’s approach emphasizes commercial pragmatism, always keeping clients’ business objectives at the forefront while pursuing the best legal strategies to achieve those objectives.
5. Khaitan & Co.
Khaitan & Co., established in 1911, stands as one of India’s most venerable law firms with over a century of experience. The firm has evolved from its traditional roots to become a cutting-edge dispute resolution powerhouse that is particularly noted for its arbitration capabilities. With 115 partners and a pan-India presence, Khaitan & Co. brings institutional knowledge and contemporary sophistication to every arbitration mandate.
The firm is proficient in both international and domestic arbitration and has developed a reputation for handling some of the country’s most complex arbitration matters. Khaitan & Co. is particularly noted for its work in insolvency-related arbitrations, an increasingly important area as India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code matures and intersects with arbitration in various ways. The firm’s expertise extends to handling disputes before the National Company Law Tribunal and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, often in cases with significant arbitration dimensions.
Khaitan & Co. represents clients in regulated sectors ranging from real estate and infrastructure to finance, energy, and telecommunications. This sectoral focus requires not just arbitration expertise but also deep understanding of sector-specific regulations, which the firm provides through its integrated practice structure. The firm’s lawyers appear regularly before the Supreme Court on arbitration-related matters, contributing to the development of arbitration law through their involvement in landmark cases.
The firm handles disputes arising from mergers and acquisitions, shareholder contentions, breaches of contract, payment defaults, and regulatory matters. Khaitan & Co.’s approach combines technical legal excellence with commercial awareness, ensuring that arbitration strategies align with clients’ broader business interests. The firm’s longevity has given it relationships with senior arbitrators, tribunal secretaries, and arbitral institutions that enhance its ability to serve clients effectively in both domestic and international arbitrations.
6. Luthra & Luthra Law Offices (L&L Partners)
Luthra & Luthra Law Offices, now operating as L&L Partners, has been a stalwart of the Indian legal landscape since its founding in the early 1990s by the late Rajiv Luthra. The firm has grown into a premier full-service practice with over 300 team members, including 55 partners, across offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. The firm is recognized globally as one of the leading international arbitration firms, having been featured in the GAR 100 for eight consecutive years from 2017 to 2023.
L&L Partners’ arbitration and dispute resolution practice provides specialized advisory services and representation in high-stake commercial and civil disputes, alternative dispute resolution proceedings, and both international commercial and domestic arbitrations. The firm’s arbitration lawyers possess extensive experience appearing before various courts, tribunals, and arbitral forums across India and internationally. This breadth of experience enables the firm to provide seamless representation regardless of the forum or the complexity of the legal issues involved.
The firm has been at the forefront of major legal developments in Indian arbitration. Notably, L&L Partners was the first Indian law firm to obtain a stay of ICC arbitration proceedings at Singapore between two foreign parties by the Division Bench of the High Court of Mumbai, demonstrating its innovative approach and willingness to pursue creative legal strategies on behalf of clients. This groundbreaking achievement showcased the firm’s deep understanding of both Indian and international arbitration law.
L&L Partners represents clients across diverse sectors in arbitrations involving construction disputes, energy contracts, joint venture disagreements, M&A-related disputes, and regulatory matters. The firm has represented major multinational corporations, renewable energy companies, financial institutions, and Indian business groups in complex arbitrations under SIAC, ICC, LCIA, and UNCITRAL rules. Recent notable representations include acting for a French government-owned renewable energy company in multimillion-dollar SIAC proceedings and representing public sector undertakings in international commercial arbitrations under LCIA rules seated in London.
7. J. Sagar Associates (JSA)
Founded in 1991, J. Sagar Associates is one of India’s leading national law firms with over 600 professionals spread across seven strategic locations in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. JSA’s dispute resolution and arbitration practice has earned recognition for advising multinational corporations on a wide range of contentious matters, with particular strength in regulated sectors such as energy, aviation, banking, and telecommunications.
JSA’s arbitration team handles both domestic and international arbitrations, appearing before tribunals constituted under various institutional rules including ICC, SIAC, LCIA, and MCIA, as well as ad hoc arbitrations. The team is well versed in other forms of alternative dispute resolution and regularly handles arbitration-related court litigation, including applications for appointment of arbitrators, interim measures, evidence preservation, and enforcement or challenge of arbitral awards.
The firm’s lawyers appear regularly before High Courts across India, the Supreme Court, and the National Company Law Tribunal. This multi-forum experience gives JSA a comprehensive perspective on dispute resolution strategy, enabling the firm to advise clients not just on arbitration tactics but on the optimal forum and approach for each dispute. JSA’s arbitration practice works closely with the firm’s regulatory and sector-focused teams, ensuring that arbitrations benefit from deep industry knowledge and understanding of the commercial and regulatory context.
JSA has notable expertise in regulatory disputes in the energy sector, where arbitrations often intersect with questions of policy, tariff determination, and compliance with sector-specific regulations. The firm represents power generation, transmission, and distribution companies, regulatory commissions, and energy infrastructure developers in complex arbitrations that require both legal sophistication and technical understanding. JSA’s client-centric approach and emphasis on delivering practical, commercially viable solutions have made it a trusted advisor to both Indian companies and international corporations operating in India.
8. Economic Laws Practice (ELP)
Economic Laws Practice has established itself as a formidable presence in India’s arbitration landscape through its dedicated arbitration team that covers both domestic and international cases. While the firm has particular strength in contentious tax and insolvency disputes, its arbitration practice spans a broad variety of commercial and regulatory disputes across multiple sectors.
ELP’s arbitration capabilities are enhanced by the firm’s deep expertise in handling infrastructure and banking matters before regulatory tribunals, as well as white-collar crime matters. This multidisciplinary approach enables the firm to provide comprehensive advice in arbitrations that involve regulatory dimensions, tax implications, or white-collar crime allegations. The firm frequently works alongside international law firms on high-profile, cross-border mandates, bringing together Indian law expertise with international best practices.
The firm has a notable pan-India presence with offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other major cities, allowing it to serve clients across the country and handle arbitrations seated in various Indian cities. ELP counts many international corporations among its clients and has developed deep expertise in both domestic arbitrations under Indian law and international arbitrations involving LCIA, SIAC, and other institutional rules.
ELP’s arbitration practice is particularly sought after for commercial disputes involving real estate and infrastructure law, where the firm’s sector expertise complements its arbitration capabilities. The firm regularly handles disputes arising from construction contracts, project development agreements, public-private partnerships, and real estate transactions. In such disputes, the firm’s lawyers address complex issues including shareholder contentions, breaches of contract, payment defaults, delay claims, and termination disputes, bringing both legal acumen and industry understanding to achieve favorable outcomes for clients.
9. Kachwaha & Partners
Kachwaha & Partners has built an acclaimed practice that is active on a wide array of litigation and arbitration matters, with a particular focus on cross-border work that distinguishes it in the Indian arbitration market. The firm has developed specialized expertise in acting for large multinational corporations in arbitrations involving Indian parties, as well as handling the enforcement and challenge of arbitral awards before Indian courts.
This dual capability in both conducting arbitrations and handling enforcement proceedings makes Kachwaha & Partners particularly valuable for international clients seeking to either enforce foreign awards in India or defend against enforcement actions. The firm’s lawyers understand the intricacies of the New York Convention, India’s domestic arbitration law, and the procedural requirements for enforcement and challenge proceedings before Indian courts.
The firm’s areas of focus include general commercial disputes, construction and infrastructure disputes, and joint venture disagreements. Kachwaha & Partners represents clients in institutional arbitrations before ICC, SIAC, LCIA, and other major arbitral centers, as well as ad hoc arbitrations. The firm’s practice extends to restructuring and insolvency-related arbitrations, where it combines arbitration expertise with knowledge of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to navigate the intersection of these two areas.
Kachwaha & Partners’ international orientation and experience with cross-border arbitrations enable it to understand the perspectives and expectations of foreign clients while effectively navigating the Indian legal system. The firm fields lawyers with international experience and qualifications who are fully equipped to act on cross-jurisdictional issues, making it a natural choice for multinational corporations and international investors with disputes involving Indian counterparties or Indian-law-governed contracts.
10. Bharucha & Partners
Bharucha & Partners operates a prominent arbitration practice that is active across an array of domestic and international arbitration matters. The team has extensive experience advising both domestic and multinational clients in High Court and Supreme Court litigation and in dispute resolution work before other tribunals across India, providing comprehensive dispute resolution capabilities that complement its arbitration expertise.
The firm’s arbitration practice has particular strength in technology, media, and telecommunications disputes, where it has developed deep sector knowledge that enhances its ability to handle complex technical and commercial issues. The firm also maintains strong capabilities in construction and real estate disputes, sectors that generate a significant volume of arbitration work in India. This sectoral focus enables Bharucha & Partners to provide not just legal advice but also commercial insights that help clients make informed decisions about dispute resolution strategy.
Bharucha & Partners’ litigation practice capabilities in white-collar crime, securities matters, employment disputes, restructuring and insolvency, and shareholder disputes complement its arbitration work, allowing the firm to handle related proceedings that may arise in conjunction with arbitrations. This integrated approach ensures clients receive consistent advice and representation across all dispute resolution forums.
The firm is adept at handling matters for both corporate clients and individuals, bringing flexibility and tailored service to different types of clients and disputes. Bharucha & Partners’ lawyers combine technical expertise with practical commercial sense, understanding that arbitration is not an academic exercise but a business tool for resolving disputes efficiently and achieving optimal commercial outcomes. This pragmatic approach, combined with strong advocacy skills and deep legal knowledge, has earned the firm recognition as one of India’s leading arbitration practices.
Selecting the Right Arbitration Firm for Your Needs
Choosing among these exceptional arbitration firms requires careful consideration of your specific circumstances, the nature of the dispute, and your strategic objectives. Several factors should guide your selection process.
First, consider the complexity and value of the dispute. For bet-the-company cases or exceptionally complex matters, the largest and most established firms with the deepest benches may be most appropriate. For smaller or more straightforward disputes, efficiency and cost considerations may make other choices more suitable.
Second, evaluate sector-specific experience. If your dispute involves specialized industries such as energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, or telecommunications, look for firms with demonstrated expertise in those sectors. Industry knowledge can be as valuable as legal expertise in understanding technical issues, commercial norms, and regulatory contexts that shape the dispute.
Third, assess the international dimension of your case. If your arbitration is seated outside India, involves foreign law issues, or requires coordination with foreign counsel, select a firm with strong international arbitration credentials and established relationships with foreign law firms and barristers’ chambers. Conversely, for purely domestic arbitrations, firms with particular strength in Indian courts may be most valuable.
Fourth, consider the seniority and experience of the lawyers who will actually handle your matter. In larger firms, ensure that senior partners will be meaningfully involved rather than delegating everything to junior associates. Request information about the team structure and how the firm ensures quality control and partner oversight.
Fifth, evaluate the firm’s approach to costs and billing. Different firms have different billing structures, and some may be more flexible than others in accommodating client preferences for alternative fee arrangements, capped fees, or success-based elements. Discuss billing expectations transparently at the outset to avoid misunderstandings.
Finally, assess cultural fit and communication style. You will be working closely with your arbitration counsel throughout what may be a lengthy and stressful process. Select a firm whose communication style, responsiveness, and approach to client service align with your expectations and working style.
Conclusion
India’s arbitration landscape in 2026 reflects the remarkable transformation of Indian dispute resolution practice over the past two decades. The firms profiled in this guide represent the pinnacle of arbitration expertise in India, each bringing distinctive capabilities, experience, and approaches to serving clients in complex commercial disputes.
The rise of these elite arbitration practices has been supported by progressive legislative reforms, increasingly pro-arbitration judicial decisions, and growing sophistication among Indian businesses regarding dispute resolution. As India continues to position itself as a preferred seat for both domestic and international arbitrations, these firms are at the forefront of demonstrating that world-class arbitration services are available within India’s legal ecosystem.
Success in arbitration requires more than selecting a technically proficient firm. It demands finding counsel who understand your business, share your strategic vision, communicate effectively, and can marshal the resources necessary to achieve optimal outcomes. The firms highlighted in this guide have proven their capabilities across these dimensions, consistently delivering results for clients in the most demanding circumstances.
As you evaluate potential arbitration counsel, remember that the right choice depends on your specific needs, the nature of your dispute, and your strategic priorities. Invest time in understanding each firm’s strengths, experience, and approach. Request references, review their recent matters, and have detailed conversations about how they would approach your particular dispute. The arbitration counsel you select will significantly influence not just the outcome of your dispute but also the efficiency, cost, and overall experience of the arbitration process.
The firms profiled here have earned their reputations through decades of excellent service, landmark cases, and satisfied clients. By choosing wisely among them based on your specific circumstances, you position yourself for the best possible outcome in your arbitration matter.
