(In the following post, Ms Renu Gupta, Advocate, considers whether the Chief Justice or his designate is entitled to appoint an arbitrator under section 11 without considering whether there is a valid arbitration agreement)
Can the Chief Justice
(or his designate), appoint an arbitrator, under Section 11 of the Arbitration
and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“Arbitration Act”), without deciding the question
of existence of the arbitration agreement, merely on the basis of consent of
the parties?
(or his designate), appoint an arbitrator, under Section 11 of the Arbitration
and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“Arbitration Act”), without deciding the question
of existence of the arbitration agreement, merely on the basis of consent of
the parties?
The jurisprudence on
Section 11 of the Arbitration Act indicates, with sufficient clarity, that while
making an order for appointment of an arbitrator by a Chief Justice (or his
designate), a finding on the existence of an arbitration agreement is
mandatory.
Section 11 of the Arbitration Act indicates, with sufficient clarity, that while
making an order for appointment of an arbitrator by a Chief Justice (or his
designate), a finding on the existence of an arbitration agreement is
mandatory.
However, in my
experience, several High Courts [Chief Justice or his designate] (I have not
come across this in any decision of the Supreme Court), while appointing an
arbitrator under Section 11 of Arbitration Act; upon a request being made by
the respondent (to which the claimant often concedes since he achieves his
objective of appointment of an arbitrator), leave the question of existence of the
arbitration agreement open, to be determined by the arbitrator.
experience, several High Courts [Chief Justice or his designate] (I have not
come across this in any decision of the Supreme Court), while appointing an
arbitrator under Section 11 of Arbitration Act; upon a request being made by
the respondent (to which the claimant often concedes since he achieves his
objective of appointment of an arbitrator), leave the question of existence of the
arbitration agreement open, to be determined by the arbitrator.
A plausible
explanation for such approach of appointing an arbitrator, without deciding the
question of existence of the arbitration agreement, could be that the jurisdiction
of the Chief Justice (or his designate) in making such an appointment emanates
from the consent of the parties and not Section 11. But could this be correct?
explanation for such approach of appointing an arbitrator, without deciding the
question of existence of the arbitration agreement, could be that the jurisdiction
of the Chief Justice (or his designate) in making such an appointment emanates
from the consent of the parties and not Section 11. But could this be correct?
In my view, this
approach may not be correct in view of the decisions of the Supreme Court of
India.
approach may not be correct in view of the decisions of the Supreme Court of
India.
The Supreme Court of
India in National Insurance
Co. Ltd. v. Boghara Polyfab (P) Ltd., has clearly held that whether there
is a valid arbitration agreement or not, is a question which the Chief Justice
(or his designate) will have to decide,
while appointing an arbitrator.
India in National Insurance
Co. Ltd. v. Boghara Polyfab (P) Ltd., has clearly held that whether there
is a valid arbitration agreement or not, is a question which the Chief Justice
(or his designate) will have to decide,
while appointing an arbitrator.
In Alva Aluminium Ltd., Bangkok v.
Gabriel India Limited, the court clarified that the existence of arbitration
agreement will have to be decided “because existence of an arbitration
agreement is a jurisdictional fact which will have to be addressed while making
an order on a petition under Section 11 of the Act” and that “it is
quite evident that the question whether or not an arbitration agreement exists
between the parties will have to be answered for it is only if the answer to
that question is in the affirmative that the Chief Justice or his designate can
pass an order of reference of the disputes for adjudication”.
Gabriel India Limited, the court clarified that the existence of arbitration
agreement will have to be decided “because existence of an arbitration
agreement is a jurisdictional fact which will have to be addressed while making
an order on a petition under Section 11 of the Act” and that “it is
quite evident that the question whether or not an arbitration agreement exists
between the parties will have to be answered for it is only if the answer to
that question is in the affirmative that the Chief Justice or his designate can
pass an order of reference of the disputes for adjudication”.
Additionally, where
the Chief Justice (or his designate) leaves the question of existence of
arbitration open for the arbitrator, does the arbitrator have the jurisdiction
to decide such a question?
In my view (which also finds support in Alva
Aluminium case), the jurisdiction of an arbitrator to decide his own
jurisdiction under Section 16 of the Arbitration Act, including the question of
existence of an arbitration agreement, exists only in cases where the
appointment of arbitrator is not made under Section 11 of the Arbitration Act.
Such jurisdiction does not exist where the arbitrator has been appointed under
Section 11 of the Arbitration Act
the Chief Justice (or his designate) leaves the question of existence of
arbitration open for the arbitrator, does the arbitrator have the jurisdiction
to decide such a question?
In my view (which also finds support in Alva
Aluminium case), the jurisdiction of an arbitrator to decide his own
jurisdiction under Section 16 of the Arbitration Act, including the question of
existence of an arbitration agreement, exists only in cases where the
appointment of arbitrator is not made under Section 11 of the Arbitration Act.
Such jurisdiction does not exist where the arbitrator has been appointed under
Section 11 of the Arbitration Act
Arbitration agreement comes into force, by implication, once parties consent to appoint arbitrator(s). Therefore whether arbitration agreement was pre-existing or not becomes a moot question, and pursuing the same question further becomes a futile exercise to delve into. The existence or non-existence of arbitration agreement continues to be relevant only when respondent does not relent, and continues to allege non-existence of arbitration agreement.
Interesting post 🙂 I think that reference to the arbitration without a previous agreement between the parties is not according to the Act. Only if the parties have a valid arbitration agreement under section 7 can any reference be made. Any consent order is a new agreement post the dispute and after court's intervention.
The post by Anonymous suggests a more reasonable and commercial approach for resolving the issue.
I agree. The Patel Engineering and National Insurance cases clearly make out the validity is to be ascertained by the Court. Its more like a public policy issue to be sure parties with agreement are being referred.
I would infact agree with this approach as after Patel Engineering the appointment in Domestic Arbitrations by CJ of the relevant state can only be challenged under Art. 136. While appointments in International Arbitrations via 11(9) cannot be challenged. The Court must surely ascertain that the decision is taken with all foresight possible.