Call for Papers | IADR Seminar 2026 by NUALS [Cash Prizes Rs 25K]: Submit Abstract by Jan 1

About NUALS

The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi, established in 2005 by the Kerala State Legislature, is a preeminent institution recognised for its excellence in legal education. Renowned for its distinct approach, it offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs that blend academic rigor with practical training.

With its innovative teaching methodologies and unique pedagogy, NUALS fosters an intuitive and dynamic learning environment, shaping future leaders in law. Nestled within a vibrant 10-acre campus, NUALS boasts state of-the-art facilities and a student-friendly atmosphere. The University houses over 16 specialised research centres that provide a holistic platform for students and faculty to engage in groundbreaking research. With over 500 vibrant students, the University is a thriving hub of activity, hosting numerous clubs, forums, and societies that encourage both curricular and co-curricular excellence.

About ADR Society

The NUALS ADR Society was established to equip students with essential skills and foundational knowledge in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, including arbitration, negotiation, mediation, and conciliation. Recognizing the vital role of ADR in ensuring efficient and amicable dispute resolution, the society aims to promote active participation in renowned national and international competitions and development programmes.

As a flagship initiative, it also seeks to host student teams from around the globe for ADR-centric events every academic year. The society’s inaugural ventures include the NUALS Mediation Competition and the International ADR Seminar, paving the way for a dynamic and evolving ADR culture at NUALS.

About the Seminar

The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi, in collaboration with the ADR Society of NUALS, presents its International Seminar on ADR in Frontier Domains: Digital Economies, Global Governance, and Technological Futures. This seminar aims to explore the expanding role of Alternative Dispute Resolution in emerging sectors shaped by rapid technological progress, evolving international regulatory structures, and new patterns of global interaction.

As the world advances into digitally connected economic systems, disputes arising from international electronic commerce, smart contract transactions, digital consumer interactions, cryptocurrency operations, and data driven systems increasingly surpass traditional jurisdictional boundaries. In this changing global landscape, Alternative Dispute Resolution methods that are flexible, efficient, and innovative have become essential for resolving complex digital conflicts that traditional litigation struggles to address.

A central focus of the seminar is the growing importance of Maritime and Admiralty Dispute Resolution, reflecting the strategic significance of India, and particularly Kochi, as a major maritime centre in the Indian Ocean region. With increasing global shipping activity, complex charter party agreements, marine insurance conflicts, cargo and freight disagreements, port operation challenges, vessel arrest proceedings, environmental marine protection concerns, and salvage operations, the maritime sector requires specialised and internationally consistent dispute resolution processes. The work of international maritime arbitration institutions such as the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration, and the Society of Maritime Arbitrators highlights the increasing relevance of sector-focused Alternative Dispute Resolution.

The seminar further examines Alternative Dispute Resolution applications in advanced and sensitive fields, including space and aviation development, defence technology collaboration, global health and biotechnology, humanitarian responses, environmental stewardship, and corporate responsibility in social and governance matters. These rapidly developing sectors demand conflict resolution models that can adapt to scientific advancement, cross-border regulatory variation, and ethical responsibility. In addition, the seminar explores disputes from digital sovereignty debates, requirements relating to data localisation, security of digital information, and international investigations in cyber environments, which increasingly call for neutral and reliable mechanisms capable of ensuring trust and transparency.

Additional areas of discussion include the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution in financial technology and decentralised finance structures, regulation of artificial intelligence and algorithmic accountability, conflicts involving migration and refugee protection, safeguarding of cultural heritage and indigenous traditions, and emerging dispute systems in international sports, electronic sports, and virtual gaming environments, where unique jurisdictional and contractual issues arise.

By bringing together scholars, policymakers, industry leaders, maritime professionals, and legal practitioners, this seminar aims to foster meaningful exchange, collaborative academic analysis, and practical innovation. It aims to contribute to the creation of a future-ready global dispute resolution framework that supports commercial stability, technological innovation, sustainable development, and peaceful international cooperation within a constantly evolving global community.

Important Dates

Registration Fee

Call for Paper Theme

ADR in Frontier Domains: Digital Economies, Maritime Innovation, Global Governance, and Technological Futures

SUB-THEMES/SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:

Maritime and Admiralty Dispute Resolution

• Shipping, Charter Party & Freight Disputes through Arbitration Admiralty
• Jurisdiction Conflicts & Arrest of Vessels
• Marine Insurance & P&I Club Arbitration
• Port Operations, Logistics, and Trade Disputes
• Salvage, Collision, and Marine Pollution Claims via ADR
• International Maritime Arbitration Institutions (LMAA, SCMA, SMA, etc.)

ADR and Digital Economies

• Arbitration in Cross-Border E-Commerce Disputes
• Digital Consumer Protection through ODR
• Online Marketplaces & Platform Liability Disputes
• Smart Contracts and Autonomous Dispute Resolution
• Jurisdiction Issues in Virtual Business Transactions

 Space, Aviation, and Defence Disputes

• Space Law Arbitration (Satellite Collisions, Space Debris Liability)
• Defence Procurement Disputes & Confidentiality Challenges
• Aviation Passenger Rights and ADR Mechanisms
• Public-Private Partnerships in Space Sector & ADR

ADR in Global Health & Biosecurity

• Pandemic-Related Contractual Disputes and Mediation
• ADR in Pharma Supply Chain Conflicts
• Biotechnology Patents & ADR
• WHO and International ADR Frameworks for Global Health Emergencies

Digital Sovereignty & Data Localisation Conflicts

• ADR Approaches to Data Localisation Restrictions
• Cross-Border Data Transfer Disputes
• Jurisdictional Conflicts in Digital Investigations
• Arbitration Clauses in International Cloud-Service Contracts

ESG-Driven Corporate Conflicts (Beyond Environment Alone)

• Social Equity Disputes (labour rights, diversity issues) through ADR
• Corporate Governance Failures & ADR Intervention
• ESG-Driven Investor–Company Disputes
• ADR for Ethical Supply Chain Violations (forced labour, child labour)

ADR in Emerging Financial Technologies

• FinTech, RegTech & Crypto-Asset Arbitration
• DeFi (Decentralised Finance) Smart-Contract Disputes
• Cross-Border Cryptocurrency Fraud Arbitration
• CBDCs and Monetary Dispute Resolution

AI-Governance, Algorithmic Accountability & ADR

• AI-Generated Harm: Liability and ADR
• Algorithm Bias Disputes & Tech-Mediation Disputes Involving Autonomous Vehicles and Robots
• AI-Regulation Compliance Conflicts

ADR for Global Migration & Humanitarian Issues

• Refugee Rights Disputes and Mediation
• Cross-Border Family Disputes & Humanitarian Arbitration
• Statelessness & Identity Issues in International Mediation
• ADR in Disaster Relief Contracts

Cultural Preservation, Heritage, and Indigenous Rights

• ADR for Indigenous Land and Resource Conflicts
• Cultural Heritage Restitution Disputes
• ADR in Community-Led Environmental Conservation Projects
• Traditional & Customary Justice Systems vs. Modern ADR

ADR in International Sports, Betting, and Gaming Technologies

• E-Sports Arbitration & Digital Athlete Rights
• Integrity and Anti-Doping Disputes in Next-Gen Sports
• Cross-Border Online Gaming and Betting Disputes
• Intellectual Property Conflicts in Virtual Sports Platforms

(Note: The list of themes is merely suggestive and not exhaustive.)

Submission Guidelines

• Authors are required to submit their abstracts and cover letter by 11:59 PM, 25 December 2025. The notification of acceptance will be sent by 28 December 2025
• Authors are required to pay the full amount and register by 11:59 PM, 31 December 2025 and submit their full papers by 11:59 PM, 23 January 2025.
• Authors are required to submit a declaration alongside the final paper, affirming that their work is original, unpublished, and free from copyright violations. The organising committee holds no liability for any copyright infringements, and any such violation may lead to the disqualification of the paper at any stage.
• Authors must strictly adhere to these guidelines and the timeframes mentioned in the brochure, failing which their submissions will not be entertained.
• The seminar shall be conducted entirely in an online format on 25 January 2026.

Click Here to Submit Abstract.

Eligibility

Open to all law students, professionals, scholars and anybody who is working or studying or has worked or studied in the field of law and are willing to participate.

Selection Process

• All papers will undergo a blind review by the Editorial Committee.
• There is no cap on the total number of submissions.
• Shortlisted authors will be invited to present their papers during the online seminar
• The final winners will be adjudicated by a panel of distinguished judges comprising academicians, advocates, and jurists as well as the Editorial Committee

Awards and Recognition

• Best Paper Award – ₹10,000
• Second Best Paper – ₹8500
• Third Best Paper – ₹6500
• Certificates of Merit for all finalists.
• Selected papers may be published in an edited volume or university publication

Contact Information

• Swathi Jayachandran – +91 94451 76255
• M Pranav Mruthyunjay – +91 93630 08312

The brochure is here.