CAN AN ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL PASS AN AWARD OUTSIDE THE JURIDICAL SEAT OF THE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT?
The issue of "seat" and "venue" in arbitration proceedings is no longer res integra . Section 20 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (the Act) stipulates the place of arbitration as follows: “20. Place of arbitration.— (1) The parties are free to agree on the place of arbitration. (2) Failing any agreement referred to in sub-section (1), the place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the convenience of the parties. (3) Notwithstanding sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for inspection of documents, goods or other property.” The critical distinction between Section 20(1)/(2) (the "seat") and Section 20(3) (the "venue") was established by the Supreme Court in the ...