Extension of the time for preparing and pronouncing the Award by the Arbitral Tribunal due to nationwide lockdown : High Court of Delhi
Court can extend the time to conclude the arbitral proceedings for pronouncing the Award by the Arbitral Tribunal keeping in view nationwide lockdown and various Covid waves and same was upheld by High Court of Delhi though the learned bench led by HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SURESH KUMAR KAIT in the case of MICROMAX INFORMATICS LIMITED vs. STAR MOBITEL LIMITED (O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 35/2022) on 24.02.2022.
Brief facts of the case are that the petitioner has submitted that the last effective hearing before the Tribunal was on 15.02.2020 wherein the counsel for the claimant/petitioner had addressed the final arguments and the matter was adjourned to 20.03.2020. However, due to nationwide lockdown and various waves of the Covid pandemic, the matter has not proceeded further. Therefore, the present petition has been filed seeking extension of time to conclude the arbitral proceedings.
Learned counsel has appeared on behalf of respondent on advance notice and has supported the prayer made in this petition.
Court after hearing the reasons stated in the petition states that the same is allowed. Accordingly, the time for preparing and pronouncing the Award by the Arbitral Tribunal is extended upto 31.08.2022. With aforesaid, the present petition and pending applications are disposed of.
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Judgment reviewed by – Amit Singh