Part IV — TRACK ALLOCATION AND PROPORTIONATE PROCEDURE
13.1 Every arbitration administered under these Rules shall be allocated, at commencement, to one of four Tracks:
| Track | Indicative Dispute Value (INR) | Target Award Period | Default Tribunal | |—|—|—|—| | Small-Value | Below INR 50 lakh | 3 months from constitution, extendable once by 30 days | Sole arbitrator | | Express | INR 50 lakh to INR 5 crore | 6 months from constitution, extendable once by 60 days | Sole arbitrator; three-member on party election | | Standard Commercial | INR 5 crore to INR 50 crore | 12 months from constitution, extendable per Article 23 | Sole or three-member on party election | | Complex-Commercial | Above INR 50 crore, or Registrar-designated for complexity | 18 months from constitution, extendable per Article 23 | Three-member, unless parties jointly elect sole |
13.2 The Registrar shall propose the Track within five (5) business days of receipt of the Answer, having regard to:
13.2.1 the amount in dispute; 13.2.2 the complexity and novelty of the legal and factual issues; 13.2.3 the number of parties; 13.2.4 the urgency of relief sought; 13.2.5 the parties’ agreement, if any; and 13.2.6 efficient and cost-effective resolution.
13.3 A party may object to the proposed Track within seven (7) days. The Registrar shall decide the objection within a further seven (7) days after inviting brief submissions. The decision is administrative and may be revisited by the Tribunal on its own initiative or on application of a party for good cause shown.
13.4 Opt-In and Opt-Out. Parties may, by joint written election before tribunal constitution, opt into any Track irrespective of pecuniary band, provided the election is reasoned and the Registrar is satisfied that the election is consistent with the interests of fair and expeditious resolution.
13.5 Migration. The Tribunal may, on its own motion or on application, direct migration between Tracks where the facts developed after commencement show that the original Track is unsuitable. Migration is by reasoned order after hearing the parties.