IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Suresh Kumar Kait, J.
M/s Mbd Printographics Pvt Ltd - Appellant
Versus
M/s Paragon Paper Industries & Ors. - Respondents
Arbitration Petition No. 506 of 2021
Decided On : 13-01-2022
arbitration - appointment of sole arbitrator - Section 11(6)(a) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 - Clause 17.1 & 17.2, Clause 10.1 & 10.2, Clause 15.1 & 15.2 - agreements for Job Work, Improvement Plan, Project Management, Sale Purchase of Paper and Paper Products
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, a company engaged in the business of paper and paper products, filed a petition seeking appointment of a sole arbitrator to adjudicate disputes with the respondents, involving multiple agreements related to processing raw materials and manufacturing paper products.
Finding of the Court:
The court allowed the petition and appointed a sole arbitrator to adjudicate the dispute through three different arbitration proceedings, in accordance with the agreements between the parties.
Issues: Appointment of sole arbitrator, adjudication of disputes under multiple agreements, compliance with arbitration provisions
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on Section 11(6)(a) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 and the specific arbitration clauses (Clause 17.1 & 17.2, Clause 10.1 & 10.2, Clause 15.1 & 15.2) in the agreements to appoint a sole arbitrator and determine the process for adjudicating the disputes.
Final Decision: The present petition was allowed, and a sole arbitrator was appointed to adjudicate the disputes through three different arbitration proceedings, as per the agreements between the parties.
JUDGMENT
Suresh Kumar Kait, J. - I.a. 9063/2021 (u/O. 1 R. 10 r/w S. 151 CPC) I.a. 9061/2021 (u/O. 1 R. 10 r/w S. 151 CPC)
1. The present applications have been filed by the applicants/respondent Nos.6 and 7, respectively, seeking striking off their names from the array of the parties.
2. Notice issued.
3. Learned counsel for petitioners accepts notice and submits that he has no objection if the present applications are allowed.
4. accordingly, the present applications are allowed and respondent Nos.6 and 7 are deleted from the array of the parties.
5. Petitioner is directed to file amended memo of parties within three days.
6. accordingly, the present applications stand disposed of.
aRB.P. 506/2021
7. The present petition has been filed under Section 11(6) (a) of the arbitration and Conciliation act, 1996 seeking appointment of sole arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes inter-se b/w the parties.
8. as per the averments made in the present petition, petitioner is a company engaged in the business of paper and paper products. Respondent No. 1 is a partnership firm formed vide partnership deed dated 08.10.2018. Respondent Nos.2 and 3 are involved in the business of paper and paper products. The Respondent No. 4 & 5 are companies run and managed by the partners of respondent No.1 having same office address and operated with the same set of management.
9. It is further averred in the present petition that respondent No.1 through respondent Nos.2 & 3, approached the petitioner for the purpose of processing the raw materials thereby manufacturing of paper and paper products from the paper mill of the petitioner on the terms and conditions set out in agreements signed between petitioner and respondents. On 11.10.2018, the petitioner and respondents executed a Job Work agreement. Parties also entered into another agreement, i.e. Improvement Plan agreement, on the same date. Petitioner also entered into two more separate agreements with respondent No.4 and respondent No.5, i.e. Project Management agreement and agreement for Sale Purchase of Paper and Paper Products, respectively. Petitioner and Respondents agreed on the terms set out in the respective agreements for further smooth conduct of their businesses.
10. It is further averred that in the agreements dated 11.10.2018, it is abundantly clear that in the event of any default/breach of terms and conditions under the agreements, the respondents shall indemnify the petitioner.
11. Further , all the four agreement dated 11.10.2018 executed between the parties abovementioned separately prescribed at Clause 17 .1 & 17 .2 in the agreement for Job Work, Clause 10.1 & 10.2 in the Improvement Plan agreement, Clause 15.1 & 15.2 of the Project management agreement and Clause 15.1 & 15.2 of the agreement for Sale Purchase of Paper and Paper Products that in the event of any dispute of whatsoever nature is incapable of being resolved amongst the parties amicably then and in that event the parties have agreed to refer all dispute to the sole arbitrator.
12. Further, petitioner approached the respondent Nos. 1, 2 & 3 vide notice dated 03.06.2020 subjected: "Demand letter cum notice of Invocation of Termination for material default in payments of commitment charges and other payables taxes as stipulated under the agreement for Job work dated 11.10.2018."
13. Respondents and the Petitioner had discussions on several occasions to resolve the dispute between them and on 05.10.2020, respondent No.3 in the capacity of Partner/Managing Director of respondents/ institutions had ensured and undertaken the modalities to resolve the dispute/claim against each other however, no steps have been taken by the respondents to fulfil the commitment.
14. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that the petitioner sent notices dated 01.12.2020 and 17.2.2021 to the respondents for invocation of arbitration regarding dispute of unpaid operational debt to the tune of Rs.8,52,03,262/- to the proposed learned sole arbitrator Mr. Osama Su
The main legal point established is the court's authority to appoint a sole arbitrator and determine the process for adjudicating disputes based on the specific arbitration clauses in the agreements,....
The court affirmed the necessity for arbitration as agreed by the parties in their contracts, appointing a sole Arbitrator to resolve multiple disputes arising from distinct agreements.
The court emphasized the importance of compliance with the arbitration and Conciliation act, 1996 and directed the appointment of arbitrators as per the agreement reached by the parties.
The court has the authority to appoint a sole arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 when the parties fail to agree on the appointment.
The main legal point established is the court's authority to appoint a sole arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the arbitration and Conciliation act, 1996 when the parties fail to mutually appoint one,....
The court's decision emphasized the importance of appointing the same arbitrator to hear disputes related to the same composite transaction to avoid conflicting findings.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the court's authority to appoint a sole arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 to adjudicate disputes between....
The Court clarified that deletion of a party from proceedings under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act does not preclude the invocation of the arbitration clause against the deleted pa....
The court's decision to appoint a new sole Arbitrator underlines the importance of continued arbitration proceedings and addressing counterclaims in compliance with statutory provisions.
The court emphasized the arbitrability of the disputes and the appointment of an independent arbitrator to consider all issues raised by the parties.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.