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Niddhi Parmar Vinod Kothari Consultants Private Limited Kolkata 1006-1009 Krishna Building 224 AJC Bose Road Kolkata – 700017 Phone:033-22811276/ 22813742/7715 E: [email protected] New Delhi A/11, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016 Phone:011-41315340/ 65515340 E: [email protected] Mumbai 601-C, Neelkanth 98 Marine Drive Mumbai 400002 Phone:022-43472206/ 22817427 E: [email protected] www.vinodkothari.com / www.india-financing.com Email: [email protected] Law of Arbitration

Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

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Page 1: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

Niddhi Parmar Vinod Kothari Consultants Private Limited

Kolkata

1006-1009 Krishna Building 224 AJC Bose Road Kolkata – 700017

Phone:033-22811276/ 22813742/7715

E: [email protected]

New Delhi

A/11, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016

Phone:011-41315340/ 65515340

E: [email protected]

Mumbai

601-C, Neelkanth 98 Marine Drive Mumbai 400002

Phone:022-43472206/ 22817427

E: [email protected]

www.vinodkothari.com / www.india-financing.com Email: [email protected]

Law of Arbitration

Page 2: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

Copyright

The presentation is a property of Vinod Kothari Consultants Private Limited. No

part of it can be copied, reproduced or distributed in any manner, without

explicit prior permission.

In case of linking, please do give credit and full link.

Page 3: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Alternative Dispute Resolution is a method for resolving

disputes outside of the official judicial mechanisms

▫ Classified into 4 types

Negotiation

Voluntary – no involvement of 3rd party who facilitates or imposes.

Mediation

Involvement of 3rd party who facilitates the resolution process

▫ Does not impose a resolution on the parties

Collaborative law

Each party has an attorney who facilitates the resolution process within

specifically contracted terms

Arbitration

Involvement of 3rd party who imposes a resolution

Occurs due to arbitration clause. Also known as “Scott Avery Clause”

What is ADR

Page 4: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Constitution of India

▫ Part IV - Directive principles of state policy (Article 36 – 51)

Promotion of international peace and security

The state shall endeavour to encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration (Article 51)

▫ Part XI – Relations between the union and the states

Subject-matter of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of States (Article 246)

Power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List III (Concurrent List) in the Seventh Schedule

▫ Civil procedure, including all matters included in the Code of Civil Procedure at the commencement of this Constitution, limitation and arbitration (Para 13).

Indian Scenario

Page 5: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Black‟s Law Dictionary (4th Edition) defines the term

„arbitration‟

▫ The submission for determination of disputed matter to

private unofficial persons selected in manner provided by

law or agreement.

• Section 2 (1) (a) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act,

1996 defines the term “arbitration” as follows–

▫ “arbitration” means any arbitration whether or not

administered by permanent arbitral institution;

See next slide

Arbitration: Meaning

Page 6: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Two modes of arbitration

▫ Institutional arbitration and ad hoc arbitration

• Institutional arbitration

▫ A specialised institution take on the role of administering the

arbitration process

Each institution has its own set of rules and own way to assist in the process

Eg. of some global institutions - London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA),

the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Singapore International

Arbitration Centre (SIAC)

Eg. of some Indian institutions – Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA), Indian

Institute of Arbitration & Mediation (IIAM)

• Ad hoc arbitration

▫ Not administered by an institution

Parties shall decide all aspects of arbitration such as number of arbitrators,

manner of their appointment, procedure for conducting the arbitration, etc.

Modes of Arbitration

Page 7: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

Modes of Arbitration

Institutional Arbitration

• More expensive

• No need of framing the

process

▫ Institutional arbitrators

have there own rules

• Parties may select the

arbitrator from the list

▫ Based on specialisation

• More flexible when foreign

country is involved

• Remuneration – have their

own scale for determining

Ad hoc Arbitration

• Less expensive

• Parties may control the process

▫ Process for appointment, proceedings – all are decided by the parties

• Delay in process due to disagreement

• Selection of arbitral tribunal

▫ Shall rely on their own views

▫ Difficult in case of international arbitration

• Lack of expertise in drafting the arbitration clause or agreement

• Remuneration – parties need to decide the scale

Page 8: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

Why Arbitration?

Arbitration Matters

• Cost of the proceeding

▫ Lower as compared to

courts

• Time efficient

• Power with the parties

▫ Arbitrator is appointed by

the parties

• Specialisation

▫ Since arbitrator is

appointed by the parties,

they may appoint a person

who possess specialised

knowledge in that sector/

area

Court Matters

• Cost of the proceeding

▫ Heavy cost

• Time taking process

• Power with the parties

▫ No power in the hands of

arbitrator except

jurisdiction

• Specialisation

▫ The judge may or may not

posses the required skills.

Rely on expert view

Page 9: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

1859

• Act No. VIII dealing with the Code of Civil Procedure; Chapter VI – Reference to Arbitration • Sections 312 – 325 deals with reference to arbitration between the parties to a suit • Sections 326 – 327 deals with arbitration without the intervention of any court • See. http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/textofcentralacts/1859.pdf.

1872 • The Indian Contract Act, 1872 came into force on April 25, 1872 • Section 28 permitted settlement of dispute by arbitration

1899

• Indian Arbitration Act, 1899 came into force on July 1, 1899 – based on the British Arbitration Act, 1889

• Act 1899 was confined only to Presidency Towns viz. Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.

1908

• The Code of Civil Procedure 1908 was enacted • Provisions relating to the law of arbitration contained in Schedule II which extended to the

other parts of the British India

History of the law of arbitration (1/3)

Page 10: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

1937 • The Arbitration (Protocol and Convention) Act 1937 • India was a signatory to the convention on the execution of foreign arbitral award

1940 • In 1925, the Civil Justice Committee recommended various changes in the arbitration law • The Arbitration Act, 1940 was enacted

1961

• India was signatory to the New York Convention 1958. • For implementing the convention the Foreign Awards (Recognition and Enforcement) Act 1961

was enacted • The Arbitration (Protocol and Convention) Act 1937 was repealed

1978

• The Eight Law Commission established in 1977 under the Chairmanship of Justice H. R. Khanna presented 10 reports i.e. from report no. 71 till 80 (between 1978 and 1979)

• The Law Commission of India suggested amendment in the Arbitration Act 1940 in Report No. 76.

History of the law of arbitration (2/3)

Page 11: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

1996

• Enactment of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 • Based on United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) – model law

on International Commercial Arbitration

2001

• The 16th Law Commission established in 2000 under the Chairmanship of B. P. Jeevan Reddy presented 11 reports i.e. from report no. 175 till 185 (between 2000 and 2003)

• Report No. 176 recommended the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2002

2014

• The 20th Law Commission established in 2013 under the Chairmanship of D.K. Jain and A. P. Shah presented 19 reports i.e. from report no. 244 till 262 (between 2014 & 2015)

• Report No. 246 recommended amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

2015 • Enactment of the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act 2015 • Based on the recommendation od the 20th LC

History of the law of arbitration (3/3)

Page 12: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Conciliation

▫ Conciliator brings the disputants to agreement – negotiated

settlement

▫ Conciliator is appointed only after the dispute has arisen

• Mediation

▫ It is a structured process

▫ Mediator assists the disputants to reach a negotiable

settlement

▫ This process results in signed agreement which defines the

future behaviour of the parties

Some similar terms

Page 13: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

Points for discussion

Arbitration Conciliation

Pre-condition The process can start only if there is Arbitration Agreement between the parties to dispute

No such requirement

Appointment Can be even before dispute arises Appointed only after the dispute has arisen

Number can be even/odd

Number of arbitrators need to be odd

Number of conciliator can be even

Decision is known as Arbitral award Settlement

Signed by Arbitral tribunal members Parties concerned

Difference between the 2 terms

Arbitration agreement specifies for even number of arbitrator. Can the said agreement may

be treated as an invalid agreement?

No. In MMTC Ltd. v. Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd. [1996] it was held that the number of

arbitrators is dealt separately in section 10 which is a part of the machinery provision for

the working of the arbitration agreement.

Therefore, the arbitration agreement specifying an even number cannot be the

ground to render the arbitration agreement invalid under the Act

Page 14: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

Scheme of the Act • The Act is divided into 4 parts and 3 schedules

Part I – Arbitration (sections 2-43)

• Divided into 10 chapters

• General provisions, Arbitration agreement, Composition of arbitral tribunal, Jurisdiction of arbitral tribunal, Conduct of arbitral proceedings, Making of arbitral award and termination of proceedings, Recourse against arbitral award, Finality and enforcement of arbitral awards, Appeals, Misc.

Part II – Enforcement of certain foreign awards (sections 44-60)

• New York Convention Awards, Geneva Convention Awards

Part III – Conciliation (sections 61-81)

Part IV – Supplementary provisions (sections 82-86)

First Schedule – Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Award

Second Schedule – Protocol on Arbitration Clauses

Third Schedule – Execution of Foreign Arbitral Awards

Page 15: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Arbitrator ▫ A person appointed by the parties to settle a dispute

• Arbitral award ▫ It includes an interim award ▫ Generic points:

Shall be in writing and dated Oral decision is not an award

An arbitral award = decree of the court Such award shall be signed by the members of the arbitral tribunal

Signature of majority of members is sufficient with a suitable reasoning for the omitted signature

Award shall also mention the reason except Where the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given, or

the award is an arbitral award on agreed terms under section 30 (settlement).

Important terms

Page 16: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Arbitration Agreement ▫ Section 2 (1) (b) defines the term to mean an agreement referred to in

section 7 Section 7 defines the „arbitration agreement‟ to mean an agreement by

parties to submit the arbitration or certain dispute which has arisen or which may arise between them in respect of defined legal relationship whether contractual or not

May be in the form of an arbitration clause in the contract or in the form of a separate agreement

Shall be in writing

Reference in a contract to a document containing the arbitration clause constitutes an arbitration agreement if the contract is in writing and the reference is such as to make that arbitration clause part of the contract In Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. v. M/s Pink City Midway Petroleum [AIR

(2003) SC 2881] – The jurisdiction of civil court is barred after an application under section 8 of the Act is made for arbitration

In Mahesh Kumar v. Rajasthan State Road Corporation [AIR (2006) Raj 56] Raj HC held that mere existence of arbitration clause in agreement does not bar jurisdiction of Civil Court automatically ▫ Objection may be raised not later than submission of its first statement of defence on

the substance of the dispute.

Important terms

Page 17: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• KK Modi Vs KN Modi (1998 AIR SC 1297) ▫ The arbitration agreement must contemplate that the decision of the

tribunal will be binding on the parties to the agreement. ▫ The jurisdiction of the tribunal to decide the rights of the parties must

derive from their consent, or from an order of the Court or from a statute, the terms of which make it clear that the process is to be an arbitration.

▫ The agreement must contemplate that substantive rights of the parties will be determined by the agreed tribunal.

▫ The tribunal will determine the rights of the parties in an impartial and judicial manner with the tribunal being fair and equal to both sides.

▫ The agreement of the parties to refer their disputes to the decision of the tribunal must be intended to be enforceable in law.

▫ The agreement must contemplate that the tribunal will make a decision upon a dispute which is already formulated at the time when a reference is made to the tribunal.

Essential ingredients of an arbitration

agreement

Page 18: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Section 2 (1) (d) defines „arbitral tribunal‟ to mean a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators

• Number of arbitrators ▫ Parties may determine the number of arbitrators – such number shall not be an

even number

▫ On failure – the arbitral tribunal shall consist of sole arbitrator

• Appointment of arbitrator ▫ Parties may determine the procedure for appointment of arbitrator

In not acted on time– below process shall be followed

▫ On failure – arbitrator shall be appointed by the manner provided u/s. 11 Arbitrator could be of any nationality

Arbitration with 3 arbitrators Each party shall appoint 1 arbitrator and the two shall appoint 3rd arbitrator who shall

be presiding arbitrator

Within 30 days ▫ If the parties fails to appoint their arbitrator

▫ Two appointed arbitrator fails to agree on the 3rd arbitrator

Composition of arbitral tribunal

the arbitrator shall be appointed by the SC or HC or

any person or institution designated by such court

Page 19: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Appointment of arbitrator

▫ In case of sole arbitrator – if the parties fail to agree on the appointment of a sole arbitrator within 30days

Appointment shall be made by the SC or HC or a person or institution designated by such person

▫ Arbitrator appointed by the SC or HC or a person or institution designated by such person is final

▫ Where the parties belong to different nations – the arbitrator may be of different nation altogether (in case of sole arbitrator or 3rd arbitrator)

▫ An application made to the SC or HC or a person or institution designated by such person shall be disposed within a period of 60 days from the date of service of notice on the other party

▫ Fees and manner of the arbitral tribunal shall be such as specified in the Fourth Schedule.

Composition of arbitral tribunal

Page 20: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• In Atlaz Degi-Tel Pvt Ltd Vs Atlaz Technology Pvt Ltd

[2002(4) RAJ 625 (Bom)]

▫ Arbitration is a remedy for affording reliefs to the party

affected by the breach of agreement

arbitrator cannot conduct a trial of any act which amounts to

an offence, though the same act may be connected with the

discharge of any function under the agreement

▫ Although the transaction is question is a commercial

transaction arising out of an agreement

offence u/s 138 NI Act appears to have been committed in

the course of such transaction and as such the process issued

u/s 138 should not be quashed.

Whether an arbitral tribunal can entertain criminal

complaint?

Page 21: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Whether an arbitrator may be challenged? ▫ An arbitrator shall disclose in writing the grounds likely to give rise to

justifiable doubts as to his independence or impartiality On the grounds as stated in the Fifth Schedule

Disclosure shall be made in the form specified in Sixth Schedule

From the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings

▫ An arbitrator may be challenged if – circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his

independence or impartiality, or

he does not possess the qualifications agreed to by the parties. Challenge procedure under section 13

▫ Arbitrator shall not be eligible to be appointed if the relationship with the parties falls under the categories specified in the Seventh Schedule Subsequent to the dispute have arisen between them – applicability of

sub-section (5) may be waived by an express agreement in writing

Grounds for challenge

Page 22: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Arbitral Tribunal is not bound by the Code of Civil

Procedure, 1908 or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872

▫ Parties are free to agree on the procedure to be followed

by the arbitral tribunal in conducting the proceedings

▫ Failing any agreement – arbitral tribunal may conduct the

proceedings in the manner it consider appropriate

• The CPC provides for rules relating to suits, judgement,

decree, interest cost etc.

• The Evidence Act makes the law relating to evidence and

applies to all judicial proceedings in or before the Court

▫ Not to proceedings before arbitral tribunal

Rules of procedures for conducting the proceedings

Page 23: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Place of arbitration

▫ Parties may decide

▫ In case of failure of any mention in the agreement – place shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal (convenient to the parties)

• Commencement of proceeding

▫ Date on which a request for that dispute to be referred to the arbitration is received by the respondent

• Language

▫ Parties may decide

▫ In case of failure of any mention in the agreement –shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal

Arbitration proceedings

Page 24: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Section 23 to 27 stipulates the procedure to be followed in arbitration proceedings

▫ Claimant shall state the facts supporting his claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy sought,

▫ the respondent shall state his defence in respect of these particulars

▫ The parties may submit with their statements all documents they consider to be relevant or may add a reference to the documents or other evidence they will submit.

▫ Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, either party may amend or supplement his claim or defence during the course of the arbitral proceedings,

unless the arbitral tribunal considers it inappropriate to allow the amendment or supplement having regard to the delay in making it.

Arbitration procedure

Page 25: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Default by the parties – without showing sufficient cause

▫ the claimant fails to communicate his statement of claim in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 23,

the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings;

▫ the respondent fails to communicate his statement of defence in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 23,

the arbitral tribunal shall continue the proceedings without treating that failure in itself as an admission of the allegations by the claimant.

▫ a party fails to appear at an oral hearing or to produce documentary evidence,

the arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings and make the arbitral award on the evidence before it.

Arbitration procedure

Page 26: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• In an arbitration other than an international commercial arbitration

▫ the arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute submitted to arbitration in accordance with the substantive law for the time being in force in India;

• In international commercial arbitration

▫ the arbitral tribunal shall decided the dispute in accordance with the rules of law designated by the parties as applicable to the substance of the dispute;

▫ any designation by the parties of the law or legal system of a given country shall be construed, unless otherwise expressed, as directly referring to the substantive law of that country and not to its conflict of laws rules;

▫ failing any designation of the law under clause (a) by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall apply the rules of law it considers to be appropriate given all the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

Substance of dispute

Page 27: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Can an arbitral tribunal provide an interim measures? ▫ Yes. Section 17 permits an arbitral tribunal to provide an interim

measures of protection as deems fit the preservation, interim custody or sale of any goods which are the

subject-matter of the arbitration agreement; securing the amount in dispute in the arbitration; the detention, preservation or inspection of any property or thing;

interim injunction or the appointment of a receiver; such other interim measure of protection as may appear to the

arbitral tribunal to be just and convenient Arbitral tribunal shall have the same power for making order as vested

with the courts

▫ Arbitral tribunal may require a party to provide appropriate security in connection with the measures ordered

▫ Operative till the dispute is resolved by an award to protect the interest of a party

Measures provided by the arbitral tribunal

Page 28: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Section 29A (Amendment Act) provides for time limit for arbitration award ▫ Award shall be made within a period of 12 months from the

date the arbitral tribunal enters upon the reference Date on which the arbitrator(s) receive notice in writing of their

appointment Period may be extended by 6 months if the parties consent ▫ If the award is not made within the specified time – the mandate of the

arbitrator(s) shall be terminated unless the court has extended the period ▫ If the Court finds that the proceedings have been delayed by the arbitral

tribunal – then Court may order reduction in fees not exceeding 5% for each month of such delay ▫ Extension may be on an application of any of the parties – such application shall be

disposed within a period of 60 days from the date of service of notice on the opposite party

▫ If the award is made within a period of 6 months Arbitral tribunal shall be entitled to receive such amount of

additional fees to the parties as they may agree

Arbitration Award

Page 29: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Section 31provides for form and contents of arbitral award ▫ Arbitral award shall be made in writing and shall be signed by

the members of the arbitral tribunal. ▫ Reason upon which the award is based unless

the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given, or the award is an arbitral award on agreed terms under section 30

(settlement).

▫ Award shall state the date and place of arbitration ▫ Arbitral tribunal shall send the signed copy to each party ▫ Where award is for the payment of money

the arbitral tribunal may include in the sum for which the award is made interest, at such rate as it deems reasonable

Rate of interest @ 2% higher than the current rate of interest prevalent on the date of award from the date of award to the date of payment

Cost of arbitration shall be fixed by the arbitral tribunal

Arbitration Award

Page 30: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Whether awards made in an international commercial

arbitration shall be considered as foreign awards?

▫ In Bhatia International Vs Bulk Trading S.A. [(2002) AIR SC

1432]

Award made under Part I of the Act – Domestic Awards;

Award made in an arbitration held in a non-convention country

– Domestic Awards;

Award made in an arbitration held in a convention country –

Foreign Awards;

Determining domestic & foreign award

Page 31: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• The party shall make an application for setting aside the arbitral award

• Award may be set aside by the Court only if - ▫ the party making the application furnishes proof that

a party was under some incapacity, or

the arbitration agreement is not valid under the law or

the party making the application was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case

the arbitral award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or it contains decisions on matter beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration:

the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, unless such agreement was in conflict with a provision of this Part from which the parties cannot derogate, or, failing such agreement, was not in accordance with this Past; or

▫ the Court finds that

the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law for the time being in force, or

the arbitral award is in conflict with the public policy of India.

• Such application may not be considered if – ▫ An application for setting aside has been made after 3 months have elapsed from the date on

which the party making that application had received the arbitral award,

▫ if a request had been made under section 33 (correction of award), from the date on which that request had been disposed of by the arbitral tribunal

However, the option to provide sufficient cause is always available

Setting aside arbitral award

Page 32: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• An appeal shall lie from the following orders to the Court authorised by law to hear appeals from original decrees of the Court passing the order ▫ refusing to refer the parties to arbitration under section 8; ▫ granting or refusing to grant any measure under section 9; ▫ setting aside or refusing to set aside an arbitral award under section

34.

• Appeal shall also lie to a court from an order of the arbitral tribunal ▫ accepting the plea referred to in sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) of

section 16; or ▫ granting or refusing to grant an interim measure under section 17.

• No second appeal shall lie from an order passed in appeal under this section, but nothing in this section shall affect or taken away any right to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Appealable order

Page 33: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Section 2 (1) (e) defines the term “court” to mean –

• In the case of an arbitration other than international commercial arbitration ▫ the principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction in a district, and includes the High

Court in exercise of its ordinary original civil jurisdiction, having jurisdiction to decide the questions forming the subject-matter of the arbitration if the same had been the subject-matter of a suit, but does not include any Civil Court of a grade inferior to such principal Civil Court, or any Court of Small Causes;

• In the case of international commercial arbitration ▫ the High Court in exercise of its ordinary original civil jurisdiction, having jurisdiction to

decide the questions forming the subject-matter of the arbitration if the same had been the subject-matter of a suit, and in other cases, a High Court having jurisdiction to hear appeals from decrees of courts subordinate to that High Court

• Ankati Satyamaiah Vs. Sallangula Lalaiah [(2003)(2) RAJ 433 (AP)] ▫ It was held that the definition of the word 'court' in the expression 'Principal civil court

of original jurisdiction' in Section 2(1) (e) in conjunction with the meaning given in Section 2(4) of CPC and Section 3(17) of the General Clauses Act, indicates that it implies the Court of District Judge i.e. 'Principal civil court of original jurisdiction' in a district. Also, the definition expressly excludes any other civil court of a grade inferior to such courts.

In which court an appeal can be filed?

Page 34: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• The parties at any stage either before or at the time of appointment of the arbitral tribunal agree in writing to have their dispute resolved by fast track procedure (section 29B – Amendment Act) ▫ The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute on the basis of written pleadings,

documents and submissions filed by the parties without any oral hearing;

▫ The arbitral tribunal shall have power to call for any further information or clarification from the parties in addition to the pleadings and documents filed by them;

▫ An oral hearing may be held only, if, all the parties make a request or if the arbitral tribunal considers it necessary to have oral hearing for clarifying certain issues;

▫ The arbitral tribunal may dispense with any technical formalities, if an oral hearing is held, and adopt such procedure as deemed appropriate for expeditious disposal of the case.

• Award shall be made within a period of 6 months from the date the arbitral tribunal enters upon the reference ▫ Failure to comply with the specified time lines then provisions of section 29A shall

apply

Fast track procedure

Page 35: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Arbitration Clause

• Reference to arbitration agreement

• Procedure for appointment of arbitrator

▫ Name of the arbitrator

• Place of arbitration

• Period within which the arbitrator shall make an award

• Arbitration fees to be borne

Points to be considered while drafting an agreement

Page 36: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar
Page 37: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

Scheme of the Act post Amendment Act

• The Act is divided into 4 parts and 7 schedules

Part I – Arbitration (sections 2-43)

Part II – Enforcement of certain foreign awards (sections 44-60)

Part III – Conciliation (sections 61-81)

Part IV – Supplementary provisions (sections 82-86)

First Schedule – Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Award

Second Schedule – Protocol on Arbitration Clauses

Third Schedule – Execution of Foreign Arbitral Awards

Fourth Schedule – Determination of the fees of the arbitral tribunal and the manner of its payment

Fifth Schedule – Parameters determining whether circumstances exists which give rise to justifiable doubts

Sixth Schedule – Disclosure shall be made by an arbitrator

Seventh Schedule – Eligibility to be appointed as an arbitrator

Page 38: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Previous services for one of the parties or other involvement in the case ▫ arbitrator has within the past 3 years served as counsel for one of the parties

or an affiliate of one of the parties or has previously advised or been consulted by the party or an affiliate of the party making the appointment in an unrelated matter but the arbitrator and the party or the affiliate of the party have no ongoing

relationship

▫ arbitrator has within the past 3 years served as counsel against one of the parties or an affiliate of one of the parties in an unrelated matter

▫ arbitrator has within the past 3 years been appointed as arbitrator on two or more occasions by one of the parties or an affiliate of one of the parties.

▫ arbitrator‟s law firm has within the past 3 years acted for one of the parties or an affiliate of one of the parties in an unrelated matter without the involvement of the arbitrator.

▫ arbitrator currently serves, or has served within the past 3 years, as arbitrator in another arbitration on a related issue involving one of the parties or an affiliate of one of the parties

Circumstances under Schedule V but not covered under

schedule VII

Page 39: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• Relationship between an arbitrator and another arbitrator or counsel

▫ arbitrator and another arbitrator are lawyers in the same law firm.

▫ arbitrator was within the past three years a partner of, or otherwise affiliated with, another arbitrator or any

of the counsel in the same arbitration.

▫ A lawyer in the arbitrator‟s law firm is an arbitrator in another dispute involving the same party or parties or

an affiliate of one of the parties.

▫ A close family member of the arbitrator is a partner or employee of the law firm representing one of the

parties, but is not assisting with the dispute.

▫ arbitrator has within the past three years received more than three appointments by the same counsel or the

same law firm.

• Relationship between arbitrator and party and others involved in the arbitration

▫ arbitrator‟s law firm is currently acting adverse to one of the parties or an affiliate of one of the parties.

▫ arbitrator had been associated within the past three years with a party or an affiliate of one of the parties in

a professional capacity, such as a former employee or partner.

• Other circumstances

▫ arbitrator holds shares, either directly or indirectly, which by reason of number or denomination constitute a

material holding in one of the parties or an affiliate of one of the parties that is publicly listed.

▫ arbitrator holds a position in an arbitration institution with appointing authority over the dispute.

▫ arbitrator is a manager, director or part of the management, or has a similar controlling influence, in an

affiliate of one of the parties, where the affiliate is not directly involved in the matters in dispute in the

arbitration.

Circumstances under Schedule V but not covered under schedule VII

Cont…

Page 40: Law of Arbitration by Niddhi Parmar

• In order to recover the dues from the borrower following

alternatives are available –

▫ First

Blank cheques collected/ cheques bounce – issue notice under

section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act

▫ Second

Where loan agreement does not contain „arbitration clause‟ -

file civil suit for the outstanding amount

▫ Third

Where the loan agreement contains „arbitration clause‟ –

commence arbitration proceeding

Recovery measures available with NBFCs