In India adjustments by the competent tax authorities with regards to transfer pricing follow the regular appellate proceedings. In many cases, the appeals were pending at the first appellate authority for 3–5 years. Hence, to fast-track transfer pricing issues, in 2009, the government introduced an alternative dispute resolution process. Under this process, the taxpayer may choose to approach a dispute resolution panel in case a transfer pricing adjustment is proposed by the tax officer. The panel should dispose of the matter within nine months. The panel's decision which was binding on the tax officer till last year will now be appealable. This process is expected to significantly expedite the first stage of the litigation process in India, which usually takes much longer. APA opportunity: An APA regime has been introduced in India with effect from 1 July 2012. The APA rules provide an opportunity for taxpayers to opt for a unilateral, bilateral or multilateral APA.