Judgment

D.P. Wadhwa, J. -The Facts :

These three appeals raise three different questions relating to the construction and interpretation of Section 85 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (the ‘new Act’ for short) which contains repeal and saving provision of the three Acts, namely, the Arbitration (Protocol and Convention) Act 1937, the Arbitration Act, 1940 (the ‘old Act’ for short) the Foreign Awards (Recognition and Enforcement) Act, 1961 (the ‘Foreign Awards Act’ for short).

2. This Section 85 of the new Act we reproduce at the outset :

“85. Repeal and saving.-(1) The Arbitration (Protocol and Convention) Act, 1937 (6 of 1937), the Arbitration Act, 1940 (10 of 1940) and the Foreign Awards (Recognition and Enforcement) Act, 1961 (45 of 1961) are hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,-

(a) the provisions of the said enactments shall apply in relation to arbitral proceedings which commenced before this Act came into force unless otherwise agreed by the parties but this Act shall apply in relation to arbitral proceedings which commenced on or after this Act comes into force;