In Brief
Shriram EPC Limited sought to enforce an ICC award made in London against Rioglass Solar SA. Rioglass objected, arguing that because the foreign award had not been stamped under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, it could not be enforced under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Supreme Court held that the term "award" in the Indian Stamp Act has always referred only to domestic awards made in India, not foreign awards. Therefore, foreign awards are not subject to Indian stamp duty requirements. The Court dismissed the appeal, affirming that an unstamped foreign award is enforceable as a decree under Sections 47-49 of the 1996 Act.
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