The legal document emphasizes that an interim award passed by an ineligible arbitrator is unenforceable. The core principle is that the appointment of an arbitrator must adhere to the statutory provisions and procedural requirements of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, especially after the amendments introduced in 2015.

Key points include: - An arbitrator's independence and impartiality are fundamental to valid arbitration proceedings. If an arbitrator falls within the disqualifying categories specified in the relevant schedules of the Act, their appointment is invalid, rendering any awards passed by them null and void (!) (!) . - The appointment of an arbitrator must be made in accordance with the prescribed procedures, including proper disclosures and adherence to the statutory criteria. Appointment by a person who is statutorily ineligible, such as one falling within the disqualifying categories, invalidates the arbitration process and any awards issued (!) (!) (!) . - An interim award passed by an arbitrator who was appointed in contravention of the law is considered a nullity and cannot be enforced by the courts (!) (!) (!) . - The enforcement of an award requires that the arbitrator was competent and validly appointed in accordance with the law. If the appointment is invalid, the award is unenforceable, as the underlying arbitration process lacked jurisdiction (!) (!) . - The court has supervisory powers to ensure that arbitration proceedings comply with legal standards, including the appointment process, and can set aside orders or awards that are based on invalid arbitrator appointments (!) (!) . - When enforcing interim awards, proper notice must be given to the respondent, especially after the commencement of arbitral proceedings, to uphold principles of natural justice and procedural fairness (!) (!) . - The court is mandated to scrutinize whether the appointment of the arbitrator was made in accordance with the law, and if not, the award must be set aside. This is especially relevant when the appointment violates the statutory restrictions on arbitrator eligibility (!) (!) (!) .

In summary, the enforceability of an interim arbitration award hinges on the eligibility and proper appointment of the arbitrator. Any deviation from statutory requirements renders the award unenforceable and the arbitration process invalid. The courts have the authority to scrutinize and set aside such awards to uphold the integrity of arbitration proceedings.