The FEAM Arbitration Rules
93 rules across 17 chapters governing every FEAM-administered arbitration — from filing and tribunal formation through to award, benchmarked against the world's leading arbitral institutions and fully aligned with Indian law.
Five Commitments Built Into Every Rule
The Rules are designed to be fully compliant with Indian arbitration law while addressing the gaps that have historically slowed institutional adoption in India.
Transparency
Quarterly case statistics, an Annual Transparency Report, and a public anonymised Award Register.
Independence
No government body, donor, or institutional partner controls case administration.
Accessibility
A dedicated MSME track, free ODR mediation for MSME cases, and digital proceedings by default.
Diversity
A minimum 30% women target in FEAM arbitrator and mediator appointments, tracked and published.
Speed
Hard award-delivery targets by procedure track, with published compliance rates and fee consequences for delay.
Benchmarked Against Global Best Practice
The FEAM Rules synthesise provisions from SIAC, MCIA, ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, AAA-ICDR and the UNCITRAL Model Law, adapted to Indian law and calibrated for the Indian market.
| Feature | Typical legacy rules | FEAM Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Arbitrator | Often 1–2 business days | Within 24 hours |
| MSME Access | Rarely a dedicated track | Fixed-fee 90-day Fast-Track |
| Sole-Arbitrator Threshold | Varies; often requires agreement | Automatic for claims up to ₹2 Cr |
| Panel Diversity | Rarely a published target | 30% women, tracked annually |
| Digital Administration | Limited or bolted-on | Digital-first: e-filing, AI transcription, e-signed awards |
| Fee Transparency | Often negotiated late | Published schedule known before filing |
| Award Accountability | Targets rarely enforced | Published compliance rates; fee reduction for delay |
A Track Built for Every Claim Size
Streamlined Procedure
Documents-only, sole-arbitrator track for smaller disputes, with a single round of submissions and a fixed all-in fee.
Expedited Procedure
A faster sole-arbitrator track for mid-sized claims, at 75% of standard fees.
MSME Fast-Track
A fixed all-in fee track for MSME parties, with a free voluntary 15-day mediation pause.
Sector-Specific Protocols
Supplementary procedures for construction, real estate/RERA, startups, employment, banking, e-commerce, and insurance.
Emergency Arbitrator
Urgent interim relief before tribunal constitution, with appointment within 24 hours.
ODR & Virtual Hearings
Entire arbitrations conducted through FEAM's digital case management and virtual hearing platform.
Browse the Full Arbitration Rules
Search by keyword, or open a chapter to read its rules in full. Each rule's statutory anchor is called out where the Rules track a specific provision of the Act.
Fee Schedule at a Glance
Every fee is published upfront and scales with the amount in dispute. Figures below are indicative; the full schedule governs.
| Claim amount | Registration fee | Administrative fee | Tribunal fee range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹10 lakhs | ₹5,000 | ₹15,000 | Up to ₹30,000 |
| ₹10 – 50 lakhs | ₹10,000 | ₹25,000 | ₹50,000 – ₹75,000 |
| ₹50L – ₹1 Cr | ₹20,000 | ₹40,000 | ₹75,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| ₹1 – 5 Cr | ₹35,000 | ₹75,000 | ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,50,000 |
| ₹5 – 25 Cr | ₹60,000 | ₹1,50,000 | ₹3,50,000 – ₹8,00,000 |
| Streamlined (Sch A, ≤₹50L) | ₹10,000 fixed | ₹20,000 fixed | |
| MSME Fast-Track (Sch C) | ₹12,000 fixed | ₹15,000 fixed | |
All fees exclusive of GST, subject to revision with 30 days' notice. Tribunal fees meet or exceed Fourth Schedule rates under the A&C Act 1996.
Adopt the FEAM Clause, or Refer a Dispute
Use FEAM's model arbitration clause in your contracts, or file a Notice of Arbitration under these Rules.