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After Sunset: Courts on post Rohan Builders

The Supreme Court has resolved the debate on filing for an extension of time period under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (the “Act”), after the period for rendering an arbitral award has expired. This judgment was rendered in Rohan Builders (India) Private Limited v. Berger Paints India Private Limited, SLP (C) No. 23320 of 2023 (“Rohan Builders”) on September 12, 2024. Given that several months have passed since the judgment, this blog takes a bird’s eye view on disputes under Section 29A of the Act and how the courts have dealt with them post Rohan Builders

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No Vested Right for Highest Bidder: Examining IDA v. Shri Humud Jain Samaj Trust

This article analyses the Supreme Court judgment in Indore Vikas Praadhikaran (IDA) & Anr. v. Shri Humud Jain Samaj Trust & Anr. (Civil Appeal No. 13089 of 2024 arising out of SLP (Civil) No. 9940 of 2022), dealing with the highest bidder’s legal challenge following the cancellation of a tender process by the Indore Vikas Praadhikaran (“IDA”). This analysis delves into the case facts, the legal principles, relevant Indian law, and the potential impact of the judgment.

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Some Key Features of the SIAC rules 2025 and their implications for India-related Arbitrations

The seventh edition of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) arbitration rules (“2025 Rules”) came into force on January 1, 2025. The 2025 Rules are considerably longer than the previous edition, but SIAC’s very helpful summary of all its key features is available here. This piece discusses some of these key features and their implications for India-related arbitrations.

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US-India discussion on Sanctions: Indian Companies to remain diligent about Sanctions Compliance

Recent actions: Russia-related sanctions

On October 30, 2024, the United States (“US”) Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) sanctioned 19 Indian companies and 2 Indian individuals under its Russia-related sanctions program under the Executive Order (“EO”) 14024. This action was in the nature of imposition of secondary sanctions on third-country actors to discourage non-US persons from engaging in certain transactions, even without a US nexus, that might be harmful to the objectives of the US sanctions programs.

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Background

A scheme of arrangement is an oft used mechanism for company restructuring, which may take the form of a ‘merger’, a ‘demerger’ or even a ‘compromise’ with creditors. Sections 391-394 of the Companies Act, 1956 (“1956 Act”), read with the Companies (Court) Rules, 1959, were the relevant statutory framework governing this. 

Continue Reading Objections at the first motion stage: Light at the end of the rainbow?
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Court’s power to partially set aside arbitral awards: An Indian perspective

Recently, the Delhi High Court (“DHC”) has reiterated that Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“Act”), empowers courts to partially set aside an arbitral award and it would not amount to a modification, as an arbitral award consists of distinct components independent of each other.

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Ripple Effect of Sanctions- II: Recent Iran-related sanctions imposed by the United States

Background

In the previous blog published on November 19, 2024, we had discussed the United States (“US”) Office of foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) sanctioning nearly 400 entities and individuals for their contribution to Russia’s efforts against Ukraine and the implications of this action on Indian businesses. The US has since imposed sanctions on several entities under its Russia-related sanctions program as well as under its other sanctions programs. There has also been a major focus on the Iran-related sanctions program.

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Introduction

The Supreme Court of India (“SC”) in its landmark decision in Arif Azim Co. Ltd. v. Micromax Informatics FZE[1] (“Arif Azim”)[2] has once again reiterated the distinction between ‘seat’ and ‘venue’ in an arbitration agreement and its jurisdictional implication. The judgment addresses the contentious issue of whether a location designated in an arbitration agreement serves merely as ‘venue’ (a place where proceedings may occur) or as juridical ‘seat’ (which grants a court jurisdictional oversight). This distinction has immense implications, especially for cross-border commercial agreements, where different interpretations can lead to divergent legal outcomes.

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Revisiting Unilateral Arbitrator Appointments: The Supreme Court’s New Stance on Fairness and Equality

Introduction

Party autonomy is undoubtedly a cornerstone of arbitration proceedings, allowing parties substantial freedom to shape the contours of their dispute resolution process. This freedom extends to choosing arbitrators and defining procedural rules, reflecting a central appeal of arbitration over litigation. However, this autonomy has limits, particularly where it intersects with the mandatory provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“Arbitration Act / Act”), designed to uphold fairness, impartiality and transparency.

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Ripple Effect of Sanctions: How US Measures against Russia affect Indian Businesses

Background

The ongoing tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict have led to significant geopolitical shifts, particularly in the realm of international sanctions. In response to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the United States (U.S.) had implemented a series of sanctions to curtail Russian influence and capabilities. A pivotal moment in this effort was the issuance of Executive Order 14024 (“EO 14024”) on April 15, 2021, by President Joe Biden.

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