The Supreme Court has ruled against the practice of state-run companies unilaterally appointing arbitrators, impacting the arbitration process for public sector units (PSUs) and potentially shifting the focus towards mediation. This decision, made on Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud’s last day in office, is a result of the finance ministry’s push to reduce PSU arbitration costs and reflects the government’s growing preference for mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method.