G.S. Patel, J.

1. Is a dispute brought before the Company Law Board invoking the provisions of Sections 397, 398 and 402 of the Companies Act, 1956 at all referable to a private tribunal, viz., an arbitral panel for resolution? Does a decision of a foreign court on the question of whether a dispute is covered by an arbitration agreement bind the Company Law Board? These are among the questions of law canvassed in this group of appeals.

A. STRUCTURE

2. The following table of contents is intended to serve as a guide to the structure of this judgment. A list of the authorities cited or referred is appended for convenience.

A. Structure ....................................................................................... 13

B. Summary ....................................................................................... 15

C. The factual background ................................................................ 20

I. The Super-Max Group ...................................................... 20

II. The Restructuring Proposal & The Subscription & Shareholder Deed ....................... 21

III. The Business Restructing Agreements and the Supplemental Deed .....................