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Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has outlined the government's focus on strengthening institutional arbitration, decriminalising minor offences, and modernising legacy laws to improve India's business environment. Speaking at an international arbitration conference in New Delhi, he highlighted that nearly 1,000 offences have been decriminalised to enhance regulatory efficiency. The government is also reviewing arbitration frameworks and outdated provisions in laws such as the Indian Succession Act, 1925. Additional measures include reforms in the criminal justice system, technology adoption in legal processes, and a new Public Trust Bill passed recently, indicating a broader push to align legal systems with economic and constitutional priorities.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister for Law and Justice, stated in recent days that the government is advancing a series of legal and institutional reforms aimed at improving dispute resolution mechanisms and enhancing ease of doing business in India. Speaking at an international conference on arbitration organised by the Indian Council of Arbitration in New Delhi, the minister emphasised the need to transition from ad-hoc arbitration practices to a more structured, institutional framework. Advertisement
He indicated that the government supports the development of institutional arbitration systems, which are expected to bring greater predictability and efficiency to dispute resolution, particularly in commercial matters. According to him, reforms relating to arbitration, including provisions governing the appointment of arbitrators and broader commercial law processes, are currently under examination by designated committees.
The minister also highlighted efforts to rationalise India's legal framework through the decriminalisation of minor offences. He stated that nearly 1,000 such offences have been decriminalised, noting that earlier provisions often involved disproportionate compliance costs relative to penalties. The move is intended to reduce procedural burdens on businesses and improve regulatory efficiency.
In addition, the government has undertaken a review of legacy legislation to remove outdated and discriminatory provisions. The minister referred to amendments in laws such as the Indian Succession Act, 1925, stating that these changes aim to align statutory provisions with constitutional principles of equality, liberty, and justice.
Broader legal reforms are also under way, including changes to the criminal justice system, which the government views as complementary to improvements in civil and commercial law. The minister noted that a Public Trust Bill has been passed during the recent Budget Session following review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, forming part of ongoing legislative updates.
The role of technology in legal processes was also highlighted, with reference to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence and virtual hearings to improve efficiency and accessibility within the judicial system. These measures are expected to support faster dispute resolution and reduce case backlogs.
Drawing on traditional Indian practices, the minister referred to the concept of Panch Parmeshwar, which emphasises neutrality and binding decision-making, suggesting its relevance to modern arbitration frameworks.
He further stated that India is scheduled to host a BRICS conference in Ahmedabad, bringing together justice ministers and officials from multiple countries to strengthen international legal cooperation. The ongoing reforms, he noted, are aligned with the country's broader economic objectives and efforts to create a more predictable and efficient legal environment for businesses and investors.
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