In Brief

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the Supreme Court extended all limitation periods and time limits under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (including for making arbitral awards and filing statements of claim and defence) from 15 March 2020 until further orders. It also extended pre-litigation mediation timeframes under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 until 45 days after lockdown lifting. Electronic service of legal documents (email, FAX, messaging) was permitted. However, the Court declined to extend the cheque validity period prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India, holding that regulatory authorities have discretion to modify their own prescribed periods without judicial intervention."

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