The Construction Law & Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum of India (CLAFI) was formally launched during MILANA 2025, the Construction Law Seminar hosted by Manipal Law School, Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in India’s construction and infrastructure dispute resolution landscape.
The announcement coincided with a thought-provoking round table discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Law Meets Engineering”, where industry professionals, academicians, engineers, and legal experts deliberated on the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration in construction and infrastructure projects. The discussion highlighted how technical insight and legal foresight must work in tandem to prevent disputes and improve project delivery.
The launch of CLAFI at MILANA 2025 was attended by members of its Governing Council, including Prof. R. Venkataraghavan, Founder, Mentor and Chief Patron of CLAFI and Professor of Practice at Manipal Law School, Bengaluru; Ms. Bindu Ramakrishnan, President; Mr. Manjunath R and Mr. H. K. Sharma, Vice Presidents; Mr. Suresh Sheshagiri Rao, Secretary; Mr. Deepak and Mr. Thingaran D, Joint Secretaries; and Mr. Shachindra Bhat, Treasurer.
About CLAFI
Construction Law & ADR Forum of India (CLAFI) is India’s first techno-legal professional community formed by the inaugural batch of Post Graduate Diploma and LLM professionals in Construction Law and Arbitration from Manipal Law School, Bengaluru.
CLAFI aims to bridge the long-standing gap between engineering and law by creating a trusted national platform for:
- Construction law education and knowledge-sharing
- Arbitration, adjudication, and expert determination
- Contract management and dispute prevention
- Development of expert witnesses and arbitrators
- Ethical and sustainable infrastructure practices
Vision and Mission
CLAFI envisions becoming India’s leading techno-legal forum, fostering collaboration among engineers, lawyers, and industry professionals to advance excellence in construction law and alternative dispute resolution.
The forum is committed to:
- Training engineers in legal awareness and lawyers in technical fluency
- Promoting multi-tier dispute resolution mechanisms
- Building a pan-India community of practice
- Contributing to policy dialogue, research, and industry standards
Membership in CLAFI is open to a diverse range of professionals and institutions involved in the construction and infrastructure sector. This includes advocates, arbitrators, and mediators; engineers, architects, and other technical experts; project managers and contract administrators; academicians, researchers, students, and young professionals; as well as law firms, construction companies, consultancies, and educational institutions. By bringing together such a broad spectrum of expertise, CLAFI aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and build a vibrant national community dedicated to excellence in construction law and dispute resolution.
Beyond its foundational role in bridging law and engineering, CLAFI actively promotes research, publications, and case studies to equip professionals with practical insights into emerging trends in construction disputes and contract management. The forum also encourages innovation in dispute resolution, exploring technology-driven approaches and global best practices to enhance efficiency and fairness in project delivery.
CLAFI is committed to mentorship and capacity-building, offering structured programs, workshops, and training for young professionals and students. By fostering continuous learning and collaboration, the forum seeks to create a nationwide network of highly skilled, ethically grounded experts, raising the standards of professionalism and accountability across India’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
Through webinars, expert commentary, case insights, and professional events, CLAFI seeks to support India’s infrastructure growth in alignment with national initiatives such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), Gati Shakti Mission, and Ease of Doing Business reforms. With its launch, CLAFI aims to strengthen collaboration between legal and technical professionals.The forum will focus on improving contract management, supporting effective dispute resolution, and developing skilled professionals through programs, publications, and networking. This approach is intended to enhance project delivery and promote best practices across construction and infrastructure projects in India.