Frequently Asked Questions

Arbitalk is a digital online dispute resolution (ODR) platform that helps businesses and individuals resolve commercial disputes through mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. We connect parties with neutral experts and provide a secure online environment for communication, document sharing, and case management. Arbitalk is operated by Gentlefolk Consulting Private Limited.

Arbitalk is available to individuals and entities that can enter into binding contracts under Indian law. You must be at least 18 years of age. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must register, accept our Terms, and supervise use. Our services are designed for MSMEs, vendors, suppliers, and businesses seeking faster dispute resolution than traditional courts.

We handle commercial and business disputes, including contract disputes, payment disagreements, vendor-supplier conflicts, partnership issues, e-commerce and consumer complaints, real estate and property matters, employment and workplace disputes, and certain cross-border commercial disputes. The nature and value of the dispute determine the applicable process (mediation, conciliation, or arbitration) and fee structure.

No. Arbitalk is a technology platform that facilitates dispute resolution. We are not a law firm, legal practice, or legal advisory service. We connect parties with qualified neutrals (arbitrators, mediators, conciliators) and provide administrative and technical support. The information on our platform is not legal advice. For specific legal guidance, you should consult a licensed legal practitioner.

Register as a user, complete your profile, and submit a dispute resolution application with the relevant details (parties, nature of dispute, relief sought). After payment of the applicable fee, an administrator will assign a neutral to your case. You can then communicate, share documents, and participate in the process through your secure dashboard.

No. We evaluate: Legal maintainability; Cost vs outcome practicality; Enforceability; Willingness of parties to engage. If a dispute is not sensible to pursue, we say so upfront.

Not at all. Our team assists with account setup, document uploads, and session scheduling. The process is designed for clarity, not complexity.

No—and anyone who promises that is being dishonest. What we guarantee is: A fair and lawful process; Clear strategy and transparency; Enforceable documentation. Outcomes depend on facts, law, and willingness of parties.

The process starts with case understanding, not pressure. You share basic dispute details and documents. We assess feasibility, risks, and suitability before recommending the best resolution path. Not every dispute should be escalated—and we'll tell you that honestly.

Mediation and conciliation are collaborative processes where a neutral helps parties reach a voluntary, mutually acceptable settlement. Mediation typically takes 30–60 days; conciliation 45–75 days. The outcome is not imposed by the neutral. Arbitration is a formal process where a neutral arbitrator hears evidence and issues a binding award. Arbitration typically takes 60–90 days. The arbitral award is enforceable in court under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Typical timelines are: mediation 30–60 days, conciliation 45–75 days, and arbitration 60–90 days. Actual duration depends on case complexity, cooperation of parties, and timely submission of documents. Delays can occur if parties miss deadlines or request extensions. Our platform and rules are designed to keep proceedings on track.

You will need: details of the requesting party and the respondent (names, contact information, addresses, and where applicable, business and GST details), the relationship between the parties, the nature and brief description of the dispute, the date of occurrence, prior communication, the relief sought (including any monetary claim), and supporting documents. Incomplete or inaccurate information may delay or affect your case.

After you submit the dispute and complete payment, an administrator reviews the application. A neutral (mediator, conciliator, or arbitrator, as applicable) is assigned to your case. You will be notified and can access your case via the dashboard. You can message the neutral, upload documents, and participate in the process as per the applicable rules and timelines.

An Arbitalk administrator assigns a neutral to your case based on the type of dispute, the required process (mediation, conciliation, or arbitration), and the expertise and availability of our empanelled neutrals. Neutrals are selected to avoid conflicts of interest and to match the subject matter of the dispute.

Assignment is made by the administrator. If you have a justified concern about the neutral’s independence or impartiality (e.g. a conflict of interest or prior relationship), you may raise it in accordance with our Dispute Resolution Rules and the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Code of Conduct and Disclosure Rules. Requests for a change are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. Our neutrals are required to be independent and impartial. Before accepting an appointment, they must disclose any circumstances that could give rise to doubts about their independence or impartiality. They must not have a financial, personal, or professional relationship with any party that could affect their judgment. This is set out in our Code of Conduct and Disclosure Rules.

Yes. Arbitral awards issued through Arbitalk are binding on the parties and enforceable under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Act provides for limited grounds to challenge an award before a court. Successful awards can be enforced through the appropriate civil court in accordance with applicable law. Mediation and conciliation settlements are enforceable as contracts between the parties.

Yes. Our platform, Terms, Dispute Resolution Rules, and processes are designed to be consistent with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and other applicable Indian laws. The seat of arbitration for disputes arising from our Terms is Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, and Indian law governs.

Using Arbitalk does not automatically prevent you from going to court. If you have agreed to arbitrate (by contract or by submitting to Arbitalk), that agreement may limit your ability to litigate the same dispute in court. Enforcement of awards and certain challenges are handled by courts under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified legal practitioner.

Compared to traditional litigation—no. Our fees are: Transparent; Proportionate to dispute value; Explained upfront. No hidden costs. No surprises.

Payments are processed through our payment gateway (Razorpay). We accept UPI, debit cards, credit cards, net banking, and other methods supported by the gateway. All transactions are in Indian Rupees (INR) for domestic disputes. Payment card details are processed by the gateway and are not stored on our servers. International or cross-border fees may have different payment options; contact us for details.

Yes. Proceedings conducted through Arbitalk are confidential. Information disclosed during the process must not be used in any other forum without the express consent of all parties. We also implement technical and organizational measures to protect your personal and case-related data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure, in line with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection requirements.

We collect: (a) account and contact information you provide when registering; (b) case-related information and documents you upload; (c) transaction data from our payment provider (e.g. status, amount, transaction ID); and (d) usage data such as cookies for session and platform functionality. We use this to provide and improve our services, process payments, communicate with you, and comply with legal obligations. Details are in our Privacy Policy.

We do not sell your personal information. We may share data with: (a) service providers (e.g. payment gateway, cloud storage) who are contractually bound to protect it; (b) law enforcement or regulators when required by law; and (c) others with your consent. Case information is shared with the assigned neutral and as necessary to run the dispute resolution process.

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes in our Privacy Policy, or as required or permitted by law. When we no longer need it, we securely delete or anonymise it. Specific retention periods may apply to case records, financial data, and legal obligations; for details, see our Privacy Policy or contact support@arbitalk.com.