In Brief
This judgment addresses the critical backlog of arbitrator appointment applications pending under Sections 11(5) and 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act across Indian High Courts. The Supreme Court found that thousands of applications were languishing for several years, with some pending since 2016, undermining arbitration's role as an effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism. The Court emphasized that such delays erode public confidence in the justice system and harm the country's commercial interests and global competitiveness. The Court directed all High Courts to dispose of all pending arbitrator appointment applications and substitution/change applications filed over one year ago within six months, and to preferably decide all future applications within six months of filing.
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