In Brief
Three related civil appeals challenged orders of the Bombay High Court appointing arbitrators in disputes arising from partnership retirement deeds. The appellant contended the High Court failed to serve formal notice of the Section 11 petition and that the retiring partner's claim was time-barred with no valid arbitration agreement. The Supreme Court held that service by advocate's notice, proved by affidavit, is valid under long-standing High Court practice. The Court also held that post-2016 amendments, courts must restrict review at the arbitration appointment stage and refer matters to arbitration when non-arbitrability contentions are plainly arguable. The appointment order did not conclude substantive issues, which remain open for the Arbitral Tribunal and post-award review under Section 34. Appeals dismissed.
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