--- title: "Impact of Covid-19 on Arbitration Proceedings in India" date: 2020-03-27 author: "Chandni Arora" url: https://ksandk.com/adr/covid-outbreak-on-arbitration-proceedings/ --- # Impact of Covid-19 on Arbitration Proceedings in India Posted On - 27 March, 2020 • By - Chandni Arora ![Impact of COVID Outbreak on Arbitration Proceedings](https://ksandk.com/wp-content/uploads/Arbitration-Aslam-and-Chandni-e1585288885462.jpg) ### Impact of COVID Outbreak on Arbitration Proceedings The world is reeling under the impact of Covid-19, a global pandemic that has caused lockdowns in many countries. With the outbreak showing no signs of abating, the worldwide disruption in all facets of life seems set to continue. The legal system of India is no exception including the Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism, which has also been adversely affected. The Supreme Court of India, taking suo moto cognizance of the difficulties faced by litigants throughout the country, on account of the Covid-19 Virus with respect to the period of limitation under various laws passed an order dated March 23, 2020. It was held that the period of limitation in all proceedings before any Court or any Tribunal [whether under the general law or Special Laws] shall stand extended w.e.f. March 15, 2020, till further orders are passed. ### **The challenge to arbitral proceedings in the present scenario and the implications of Section 29A** The situation of complete lockdown in the country prevents the physical conduct of arbitral proceedings. Non-conduction of proceedings gives rise to its own set of problems. Section 29A which was inserted by the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act in the year 2015, fixes the time-period for passing the arbitral award at twelve months from the date of reference to the arbitral tribunal (i.e. when notice of appointment is received by the arbitrator)  and is extendable by another six months with the consent of the parties. Any further extensions can only be granted by the concerned court, either prior to or after the expiry of the time period, failing which the mandate of the arbitral tribunal shall terminate. Hence, Section 29A, though enforcing a strict timeline for the conclusion of arbitration proceedings, also provides a saving grace which may be resorted to in situations such as the present one. In order to seek an extension of the statutory timeline for completion of arbitration proceedings, both the parties (jointly) or either of the parties individually can file an application before the concerned court *within a reasonable period* from either before or after the expiry of 12 months. The pending arbitration proceedings where the stipulated time period is expiring within the lockdown period as mandated by the Government of India may take recourse to Section29A for extension of time upon reopening of the courts of law. Further, in line with the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated March 23, 2020, the statutory timelines for filing pleadings as well as conduction of all other proceedings stand extended and may be referred to in the application for an extension being filed. The order dated March 23, 2020, is all-encompassing and is applicable to all Courts and Tribunals which includes an Arbitral Tribunal as well. ### **Litigation proceedings arising out of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act** Statutory timelines enumerated under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act wherein a Court of law is mandated to be approached such as under Section 27, seeking Court assistance for evidence or under Section 34 for challenging an arbitral award, also stand affected in the present scenario. However, the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated March 23, 2020, provides relief in extending the limitation period for all such stipulated timelines codified in the Act. ### **Modernized procedures in International Commercial Arbitration to lead the way** The Indian Council of Arbitration (**ICA**) is a leading arbitral institution in India administering the conduct of arbitration proceedings including international commercial arbitration. The ICA has been set up through the initiatives of the Government of India and handles a vast number of arbitration cases. The ICA has framed and adopted the International Commercial Arbitration Rules which govern international commercial arbitration carried out by the ICA and serve as a guideline to other arbitral institutions as well. The rules of the ICA mandate that the Arbitral Tribunal has the power to conduct arbitration proceedings by video conference, telephone or any such other means of communication as may be feasible and deemed fit. Since in international commercial arbitration, the parties are often residents of different countries, in order to enable the cost-effective arbitration proceedings and to meet the strict statutory timelines, the use of modern technology is a necessity more than a preference. Since the virtual conduct of proceedings is already an established norm in international commercial arbitration, domestic arbitration proceedings will do well taking a leaf out of their book and applying it to today’s tumultuous situation. ### **Continuity of Arbitration Proceedings in the time of Corona** Despite the increasing restrictions and complete lockdown in the country, some arbitral proceedings, which are of urgent nature, may be conducted virtually. Section 19 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 states that the Arbitral Tribunal shall not be bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 nor the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. The parties to the arbitration proceeding or the Arbitral Tribunal may decide on the procedure to be followed in the conduct of such arbitration proceedings. While the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 is silent on the conduct of arbitration proceedings through video conferencing, Section 19 certainly empowers the Arbitral Tribunal to allow the same. The Arbitral Tribunal can direct the parties to the arbitration proceedings to file pleadings through electronic mail and conduct proceedings through the means of video conferences aiding social distancing with minimal loss of productivity. In fact, Arbitral Tribunals in consonance with the changing technology and the strict statutory timelines enumerated in the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 may even resort to video conferencing in routine circumstances for convenience as well as cost-effectiveness even in domestic arbitration proceedings. ### Contributed By – [Mirza Aslam Beg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirza-aslam-beg-405b7a53/), Partner & [Chandni Arora](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandni-arora-060561a4/), Senior Associate #### [King Stubb & Kasiva](https://ksandk.com/), Advocates & Attorneys [Click Here to Get in Touch](https://ksandk.com/ksk/contact-us/) [New Delhi](https://g.page/king-stubb-and-kasiva) | [Mumbai](https://g.page/king-stubb-kasiva-mumbai) | [Bangalore](https://g.page/king-stubb-kasiva-bangalore) | [Chennai](https://g.page/king-stubb-kasiva-chennai) | [Hyderabad](https://g.page/king-stubb-kasiva-hyderabad) | Kochi Tel: [+91 11 41032969](tel:+911141032969) | Email: [info@ksandk.com](mailto:info@ksandk.com) --- ## Office Locations - [New Delhi](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-delhi/) (HQ): +91-11-41318190 | info@ksandk.com - [Mumbai](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-mumbai/): 3 offices (Nariman Point, Lower Parel, Andheri) | mumbai@ksandk.com - [Bangalore](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-bangalore/): bangalore@ksandk.com - [Chennai](https://ksandk.com/locations/chennai/): chennai@ksandk.com - [Hyderabad](https://ksandk.com/locations/hyderabad/): hyderabad@ksandk.com - [Pune](https://ksandk.com/locations/pune/): pune@ksandk.com - [Kochi](https://ksandk.com/locations/kochi/): kochi@ksandk.com ## Contact - [Contact Page](https://ksandk.com/contact-us/) - General: info@ksandk.com | +91-11-41318190 - WhatsApp: +91-7428567444 - [Privacy Statement](https://ksandk.com/privacy-statement/) - [Terms of Use](https://ksandk.com/terms-of-use/)