Jurisdictional Issues In Execution Of Domestic Arbitration Awards: Has The Bird Fled Its Nest?
The growth of international commerce has necessitated the creation of efficient methods of resolution of disputes. In some situations, securing an award or a final judgment from the courts may only be a battle half won; this is especially true in the Indian context. Taking a totally divergent view from the erstwhile Arbitration Act, 1940, The Parliament by inculcating Section 36 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, enabled execution of an arbitral award “in the same manner as if it were a decree of the court”. Straightforward one would think, but a great deal of confusion has emanated from divergent views taken by high courts across the country. An award holder would have to wait for a period of three months after the receipt of the award prior to applying for enforcement and execution. During the intervening period [1] the award may be challenged in accordance with Section 34 of the Act. After expiry of the aforesaid period, if a court finds the award to be enforc...