In Brief
In this significant commercial arbitration case between Future Coupons and Amazon, the Supreme Court addressed whether Emergency Arbitrator awards fall within the Arbitration Act and whether enforcement orders are appealable. The Court confirmed Emergency Arbitrator interim awards are valid under the Act but set aside the Delhi High Court's enforcement orders dated 02.02.2021 and 18.03.2021, finding serious procedural violations of natural justice—respondents were not afforded reasonable opportunity to file replies before a 200-page judgment and punitive contempt directions were issued. The Court also set aside orders dated 29.10.2021. All orders were remitted for fresh consideration by the High Court uninfluenced by prior observations, with punitive contempt directions vacated as the required mental element for willful disobedience was not established.
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