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 deadlines for arbitral awards and completion of pleadings, from 15 March 2020 until lockdown lifted plus 45 days. The pre-litigation mediation period under the Commercial Courts Act was similarly extended. Service of legal documents was permitted via email, fax, and instant messaging services (with simultaneous email when using messaging apps). The Court declined to extend the cheque validity period prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India, holding that regulatory matters fall within RBI's discretion."

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