In Brief
Three work contracts for a water treatment plant assigned to Geo Miller & Co. involved disputed payment obligations. The appellant (contractor) sought arbitration in 2002–2003 for outstanding amounts due since 1983 and 1989, relying on arbitration clauses in the contracts. The High Court rejected the application as barred by limitation, finding the claim arose years earlier and noting the appellant had slept on its rights for 14 years. The Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal, holding that under the Limitation Act, the three-year limitation period for arbitration runs from when the final bills were handed over, not from subsequent correspondence. Mere negotiations and reminders do not extend the limitation period in commercial disputes.
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