The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata recently organised a special lecture on the theme ‘A Practical Insight to Navigating International Commercial Arbitration Before Trade Bodies’ on August 02,2025. The lecture saw an active participation of students of both B.A. and B.Sc., LL.B (Hons.) students. The lecture was delivered by Mr. Swayambhu Mukherjee, Senior Assistant General Counsel, ITC Limited. He completed his under-graduate degree in law from West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences in 2009. In his career spanning sixteen years, he has dealt with litigation and arbitration not only in India but also in many foreign jurisdictions, including the US, EU, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
The lecture delved into international commercial arbitration from the vantage point of trading bodies like Grain and Feed Trade Association or GAFTA, Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations or FOSFA and London Maritime Arbitrators Association or LMAA to name a few. Thereafter, the discussion delved into the mechanism of reference or submission of disputes before such bodies and the jurisdiction of such bodies. Thereafter, the discussion moved towards discussing the viability of appellate or two tier arbitration models both in the global and Indian contexts. The discussion also delved into the procedure for appointment of arbitrators, mechanism of representation before these trading bodies and the mechanism which is followed to enforce an award which is rendered by such bodies. The lecture was followed by an extensive question and answer session where the students asked thought provoking questions which were answered by Mr. Mukherjee at length.
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata is thankful to Mr. Mukherjee for taking time out of his busy schedule and delivering this special lecture for the students. The special lecture has gone ahead to immensely contribute towards eliciting interest among the students in this field and would guide them towards helping them develop these ideas further as they join the legal profession in future.