Job Description:
Position: Research Associate – Commercial Disputes
Organisation: DAKSH
Project: Commercial Dispute Resolution (Commercial Courts & Tribunals)
Location: Bengaluru
Fixed Term: 3 Years
Reporting To: Director - Commercial Disputes
About DAKSH
DAKSH works to strengthen public institutions and improve the functioning of courts and tribunals through data-driven research, institutional analysis, and strategic engagement. Our work focuses on building more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric justice systems.
DAKSHs Commercial Dispute Resolution initiative builds on this mission by examining how commercial courts and related judicial mechanisms function in practice. The initiative seeks to improve case management, procedural compliance, and institutional capacity to support economic productivity, ease of doing business, and public trust in the justice system.
About the Commercial Dispute Resolution Initiative
The Commercial Dispute Resolution initiative evaluates how procedural reforms in dedicated commercial courts are being implemented across jurisdictions – and what lessons this may have for judicial reforms more broadly. It will engage with on case management hearings, summary judgments, mediation, scheduling practices, technology adoption, capacity building, and data transparency/monitoring and oversight strategies.
Through rigorous field research, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with public institutions, the initiative aims to generate grounded evidence and translate it into practical reforms that strengthen commercial adjudication at all levels of the judiciary.
Purpose of the Role
The Research Associate will support research projects through analysis, and stakeholder engagement for the Commercial Dispute Resolution initiative. The role involves identifying systemic challenges in commercial adjudication, developing evidence-based reform proposals, and contributing to institutional capacity-building and policy influence.
Key Responsibilities
1. Research & Analysis (50%)
- Lead research on priority areas such as case management hearings, summary judgments, mediation processes, document admission protocols, and scheduling practices in commercial courts.
- Design research methodologies and tools for qualitative and quantitative data collection.
- Conduct field research through court observations, case record reviews, and stakeholder interviews.
- Analyse case timelines, disposal patterns, adjournments, and compliance with statutory procedures.
- Identify procedural bottlenecks, institutional gaps, and implementation challenges.
- Synthesise findings into clear, actionable insights for judicial and policy audiences.
2. Stakeholder Engagement (30%)
- Build and maintain relationships with judges, court administrators, lawyers, businesses, and industry associations.
- Coordinate and participate in workshops, consultations, and roundtables with judicial and commercial stakeholders.
- Facilitate dialogue between courts, practitioners, and litigants on procedural reform and case management.
- Conduct structured interviews and consultations to capture diverse user perspectives.
- Support collaboration with High Courts and judicial training institutions.
3. Policy Writing & Knowledge Dissemination (20%)
- Lead the preparation of policy papers, reports, and reform toolkits on commercial dispute resolution.
- Draft knowledge products for advocacy, including case studies, blogs, and opinion pieces.
- Contribute to the development of public dashboards, datasets, and practice guides.
- Present research findings at conferences, policy dialogues, and public events.
- Support the dissemination of research to policymakers, courts, and the legal community.
Educational Qualifications
- LLB or LLM required.
- A masters degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field is an advantage.
Core Experience
Demonstrated experience in legal or institutional research and process analysis, including:
- At least one year of demonstrable work experience
- Strong understanding of Indias commercial litigation and court administration landscape.
- Proven ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to engage constructively with judges, lawyers, court staff, government officials, and industry representatives.
- Deep commitment to institutional reform and evidence-based policymaking.
- Published research or policy writing in the legal or governance sector.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with statistical or data analysis tools.
- Knowledge of Kannada
Key Competencies
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate tasks, manage timelines, and ensure project timelines are met
- Strong research and writing skills
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively
- Capability to thrive in dynamic work environments and to adeptly navigate fieldwork requirements with ease
- Deep passion to make an impact in the field of judicial reforms