International Conference on From Adjudication to Amicable Resolution: ADR’s Evolution in Labour Justice | Abstracts by November 10
The Centre for Labour Studies at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Sonepat, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, invites submissions for the International Conference on “From Adjudication to Amicable Resolution: ADR’s Evolution in Labour Justice.” The conference will take place on 13 February 2027 and will examine the role of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in labour and employment disputes.
Traditional labour adjudication often faces procedural complexities and delays. Therefore, the conference aims to explore how conciliation, mediation and arbitration can improve access to justice and support more timely, collaborative outcomes for workers and employers.
Students, academicians, research scholars, legal practitioners, industry professionals, policymakers and civil society representatives from India and abroad can participate. The abstract submission deadline is 10 November 2026.
About the Organising Institutions
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonepat
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University was established in Sonepat, Haryana, in 2012 under State Legislature Act No. 15 of 2012. The university promotes legal education, research and community service through specialised research centres, academic initiatives and its Legal Aid Clinic.
Moreover, the university focuses on connecting legal scholarship with practical challenges and advancing the role of law in social transformation.
University of Nairobi
The University of Nairobi is a public research university in Kenya. Established as an independent university in 1970, it has developed into a major academic and research institution in East Africa.
The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across several disciplines, including law. It also promotes research, innovation and community engagement.
About the Centre for Labour Studies
The Centre for Labour Studies at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University focuses on labour and employment law in India. Its work covers workers’ rights, industrial relations, social security and emerging forms of work.
Through research projects, academic events, workshops and publications, the Centre encourages critical discussion and policy-oriented research. In addition, it seeks to connect legal theory with workplace realities and contribute to labour law reform.
About the International Conference
The conference, titled “From Adjudication to Amicable Resolution: ADR’s Evolution in Labour Justice,” will bring together participants to discuss changing approaches to labour dispute resolution.
The event will examine conciliation, mediation and arbitration alongside traditional adjudication. Furthermore, it will consider challenges arising from the digital and platform economy, access to justice for vulnerable workers, comparative labour justice systems and workplace dispute management.
The organisers also intend to consider selected papers for publication and compile key recommendations into a policy brief.
Conference Themes
The conference invites papers across six broad themes.
Theme 1: International Labour Standards and Labour Dispute Resolution
Potential sub-themes include:
- The role of the International Labour Organization in shaping labour dispute resolution systems
- Implementation of international labour standards in domestic dispute mechanisms
- Tripartism and social dialogue in labour conflict resolution
- Conciliation, mediation and arbitration in labour governance
- Enforcement of labour dispute settlements and awards
Theme 2: Labour Disputes in the Digital and Platform Economy
Participants may examine:
- Dispute resolution in gig and platform work
- Algorithmic management and workplace conflicts
- Online dispute resolution in employment relationships
- Jurisdictional challenges in cross-border digital labour disputes
- Technology-driven innovations in labour dispute settlement
Theme 3: Comparative Labour Justice Systems
This theme includes:
- Comparative labour dispute mechanisms in Asia and Africa
- Institutional design of labour courts and tribunals
- The role of international organisations in labour justice reforms
- Cross-border labour disputes and jurisdictional issues
- Regional approaches to labour dispute resolution
Theme 4: Access to Justice and Vulnerable Workers
Possible areas of discussion include:
- Dispute resolution for informal and precarious workers
- Gender and equality in labour dispute settlement
- ADR in workplace harassment and discrimination cases
- Barriers to labour justice and dispute resolution
- The role of trade unions in labour dispute processes
Theme 5: Corporate Governance and Workplace Dispute Management
Sub-themes include:
- Corporate grievance redressal systems
- Industrial relations and dispute prevention strategies
- Corporate compliance with international labour standards
- The role of legal practitioners in labour ADR
- Labour governance in global supply chains
Theme 6: Future Directions in Labour Dispute Resolution
Participants may explore:
- Artificial intelligence in labour dispute resolution
- Digital case management in labour tribunals
- Restorative justice in workplace conflicts
- Hybrid models of adjudication and ADR
- Policy reforms in labour justice systems
These themes are indicative rather than exhaustive. Accordingly, authors may propose other relevant topics concerning labour and employment law and dispute resolution.
Eligibility
The conference welcomes participants from India and abroad, including:
- Students
- Academicians
- Research scholars
- Legal practitioners
- Industry professionals
- Policymakers
- Representatives of civil society
The call is therefore open to both academic researchers and professionals working on labour, employment and dispute resolution issues.
Abstract and Paper Submission Guidelines
The brochure specifies the following requirements for full-paper submissions:
- Word limit: Maximum 5,000 words, excluding footnotes.
- Abstract: Include an abstract of no more than 300 words.
- Keywords: Provide five keywords that capture the central themes of the paper.
- File format: Submit in Microsoft Word format (
.docor.docx). The organisers will not accept PDF submissions. - Anonymisation: Do not include author names, institutional affiliations, contact details or other identifying information in the manuscript.
- Originality: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their facts, references and citations.
The paper should clearly explain the research problem or question, methodology, arguments, analysis and findings. It should also provide a conclusion that summarises the key findings and, where appropriate, offers recommendations. The organisers will give preference to original work with analytical depth, doctrinal or empirical rigour, and contemporary relevance.
Formatting Requirements
| Element | Formatting |
|---|---|
| Title | Times New Roman, 14 pt, 1.5 line spacing |
| Main text | Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing |
| Section headings | Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing |
| Footnotes | Times New Roman, 10 pt, 1.5 line spacing |
| Header and footer | Times New Roman, 10 pt, centred |
| Citation style | Footnotes only |
Authors must use footnotes for references. Endnotes and in-text citations are not permitted.
Plagiarism and AI Policy
All manuscripts will undergo plagiarism and AI checks. The brochure states that submissions exceeding 15% similarity, including AI-generated content, will be automatically rejected.
Therefore, authors should review their manuscripts carefully, verify their sources and ensure that the work meets the conference’s originality requirements.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-conference webinar | 1 November 2026 |
| Abstract submission deadline | 10 November 2026 |
| Full-paper submission deadline | 10 January 2027 |
| International conference | 13 February 2027 |
The brochure also refers to the pre-conference event on 1 November 2026 as a hybrid event. However, the registration and fee details for the pre-conference session differ from those for the main conference.
Registration Fees
The brochure lists the following registration fees:
| Participant Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Industry professionals and academicians | ₹3,000 |
| Research scholars | ₹2,000 |
| Students | ₹800 |
| Faculty members of the host institution, University of Nairobi | ₹1,500 |
| Pre-conference participation only | ₹500 |
The brochure also provides the following fees for international participants:
- Industry professionals, academicians and professionals: US$31
- International research scholars: US$21
- International students: US$8
- University of Nairobi faculty members: US$16
- Pre-conference participation only: US$6
Members of the organising committee are exempt from registration fees. The brochure does not specify a separate general fee for every possible international participant category, so participants should consult the organisers if their category is unclear.
Pre-Conference Webinar
The pre-conference webinar is titled “ADR Mechanisms in Labour and Employment Disputes: Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration in Industrial Relations and the Evolving Labour Justice System in Addressing Adjudicatory Challenges.”
According to the brochure, the session will take place on 1 November 2026 in hybrid mode. Participants interested only in the pre-conference event can refer to the separate registration fee listed above.
Submission and Registration Procedure
Interested participants should consult the official brochure for the conference’s submission and registration instructions.
The supplied brochure does not provide a direct abstract-submission form URL in its extracted text. Therefore, participants should use the official document or contact the organisers to confirm the submission process.
Contact Details
For queries or clarification, contact the Centre for Labour Studies at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University.
Email: labourstudies@dbranlu.ac.in
Phone: +91 77280 41928
