{"id":321207,"date":"2024-05-02T11:00:19","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T05:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=321207"},"modified":"2024-05-03T16:44:54","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T11:14:54","slug":"time-to-fill-legislative-vacuum-for-limitation-under-arbitration-and-conciliation-act-1996","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/05\/02\/time-to-fill-legislative-vacuum-for-limitation-under-arbitration-and-conciliation-act-1996\/","title":{"rendered":"Time to Fill the Legislative Vacuum for Limitation Under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"color: #903; float: left; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 75px; line-height: 60px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 8px; padding-left: 3px;\">T<\/span>he law of limitation is based on the Latin maxim \u2018<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">vigilantibus non dormientibus jura subveniunt<\/span>\u2019 meaning that the law serves the vigilant and not those who sleep. How this concept has been applied in the arbitration is sought to be examined in this paper.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, #79a4d2);\">Arbitration \u2014 What is?<\/h4>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the world of commercial litigations, parties intend to resolve their disputes at the earliest possible. The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism is the most efficient manner because the commercial world rightly believes that \u201ctime is money\u201d. We all know that arbitration is indeed one of the three pillars of the much talked about ADR mechanism. Arbitration plays a vital role in resolving the disputes in a much faster and cost-effective manner, which otherwise would have moved at a slow pace considering the traditional court system.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Arbitration is a procedure where the parties opt for a private dispute resolution procedure instead of going to court. In arbitration, a dispute is agreed to be settled by agreement of the parties, to one or more arbitrators who make a binding decision on the dispute. In the case of future disputes arising under a contract, the parties insert an arbitration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wipo.int\/amc\/en\/clauses\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clause<\/a> in the relevant contract. An existing dispute can be referred to arbitration by means of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wipo.int\/amc\/en\/clauses\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">submission agreement<\/a> between the parties. Arbitration is an effective alternative dispute resolution process.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In India, Section 19 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a><a id=\"fnref1\" title=\"1. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.\" href=\"#fn1\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a> contemplates, that the Arbitral Tribunal shall not be bound by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726944\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Code of Civil Procedure, 1908<\/a><a id=\"fnref2\" title=\"2. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.\" href=\"#fn2\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726934\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evidence Act, 1872<\/a><a id=\"fnref3\" title=\"3. Evidence Act, 1872.\" href=\"#fn3\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> and that the parties are free to agree on the procedure to be followed by the Arbitral Tribunal. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a><a id=\"fnref4\" title=\"4. Limitation Act, 1963.\" href=\"#fn4\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a> applies to arbitrations as it applies to proceedings in court. Sub-section (2) of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544949\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">43<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a>, contemplates that an arbitration shall be considered to have started on the date referred to in Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544922\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">21<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a>. Section 21 provides that arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular dispute starts on the date on which a request for that dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent. Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001528593\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">37<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002928126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration Act, 1940<\/a><a id=\"fnref5\" title=\"5. Arbitration Act, 1940.\" href=\"#fn5\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a> also provided that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002927406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1908<\/a>, since repealed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a> would apply to arbitration proceedings as they apply to proceedings before the court.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Section 9 of the Code gives plenary jurisdiction to try all suits of civil nature except, where the jurisdiction is either expressly or impliedly barred. In terms of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544989\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">8<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> a judicial authority is mandated to refer disputes to the arbitration, on satisfaction of the conditions mentioned in the said provision. Thus, an arbitration clause in the agreement expressly bars the jurisdiction of the civil court. Thus, the arbitration is a process alternate to the civil courts.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, #79a4d2);\">What is cause of action?<\/h4>\n<p>The expression cause of action is not defined either in the Code or in the Limitation Act. But it has received a definite meaning and interpretation by the courts in India. The foremost judgment is that of the Privy Council in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mohd. Khalil Khan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mahbub Ali Mian<\/span><a id=\"fnref6\" title=\"6. 1948 SCC OnLine PC 44.\" href=\"#fn6\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a>. The Court explained the scope of the expression \u201ccause of action\u201d in the following words:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt;\">The phrase \u2018cause of action\u2019 has not been defined in any enactment, but the meaning of it has been judicially considered in various decisions. In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Read<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Brown<\/span><a id=\"fnref7\" title=\"7. [LR] 22 QBD 128.\" href=\"#fn7\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a>, Lord Esher, M.R., accepted the definition given in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cooke<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Gill<\/span><a id=\"fnref8\" title=\"8. [LR] 8 CP 107.\" href=\"#fn8\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a>, that it meant \u2018every fact which it would be necessary for the plaintiff to prove, if traversed, in order to support his right to the judgment of the Court. It does not comprise every piece of evidence which is necessary to prove each fact, but every fact which is necessary to be proved\u2019<a id=\"fnref9\" title=\"9. [LR] 22 QBD 128, 131.\" href=\"#fn9\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a>. Fry, L.J., agreed, and said, \u2018Everything which, if not proved, gives the defendant an immediate right to judgment, must be part of the cause of action\u2019<a id=\"fnref10\" title=\"10. [LR] 22 QBD 128, 132, 133.\" href=\"#fn10\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a>. Lopes, L.J., said, \u2018I agree with the definition given by the Master of the Rolls of a cause of action, and that it includes every fact which it would be necessary to prove, if traversed, in order to enable a plaintiff to sustain his action\u2026.\u2019<a id=\"fnref11\" title=\"11. [LR] 22 QBD 128, 133.\" href=\"#fn11\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a>\u201d. This decision has been followed in India. The term has been considered also by the Board. In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Musummat Chand Kour<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Partab Singh<\/span><a id=\"fnref12\" title=\"12. 1888 SCC OnLine PC 14.\" href=\"#fn12\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a>, Lord Watson delivering the judgment of the Board observed as follows:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">\u2026Now the cause of action has no relation whatever to the defence which may be set up by the defendant, nor does it depend upon the character of the relief prayed for by the plaintiff. It refers entirely to the grounds set forth in the plaint as the cause of action, or, in other words, to the media upon which the plaintiff asks the court to arrive at a conclusion in his favour.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Raghwendra Sharan Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ram Prasanna Singh<\/span><a id=\"fnref13\" title=\"13. (2020) 16 SCC 601.\" href=\"#fn13\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court quoted from the <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Church of Christ Charitable Trust and Educational Charitable Society<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ponniamman Educational Trust<\/span><a id=\"fnref14\" title=\"14. (2012) 8 SCC 706.\" href=\"#fn14\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a>, holding that the cause of action is a bundle of facts which taken with the law applicable to them gives the plaintiff the right to relief against the defendant. Every fact which is necessary for the plaintiff to prove to enable him to get a decree should be set out in clear terms. A cause of action must include some act done by the defendant since in the absence of such an act no cause of action can possibly accrue.<\/p>\n<p>In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Goa<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Summit Online Trade Solutions (P) Ltd.<\/span><a id=\"fnref15\" title=\"15. (2023) 7 SCC 791.\" href=\"#fn15\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court held that it is axiomatic that without a cause, there cannot be any action. However, in the context of a writ petition, what would constitute such \u201ccause of action\u201d is the material facts which are imperative for the writ petitioner to plead and prove to obtain relief as claimed. The Court held as under:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">16<\/span>. The expression \u201ccause of action\u201d has not been defined in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a>. However, the classic definition of \u201ccause of action\u201d given by Lord Brett in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cooke<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Gill<\/span><a id=\"fnref16\" title=\"16. [LR] 8 CP 107.\" href=\"#fn16\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a> that \u201ccause of action means every fact which it would be necessary for the plaintiff to prove, if traversed, in order to support his right to the judgment of the court\u201d, has been accepted by this Court in a couple of decisions. It is axiomatic that without a cause, there cannot be any action. However, in the context of a writ petition, what would constitute such \u201ccause of action\u201d is the material facts which are imperative for the writ petitioner to plead and prove to obtain relief as claimed.<a id=\"fnref17\" title=\"17. Summit Online Trade Solutions (P) Ltd. case, (2023) 7 SCC 791, 797.\" href=\"#fn17\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, #79a4d2);\">Limitation in arbitration proceeding<\/h4>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a> is an outcome of the Third Report of the Law Commission of India on \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002927406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1908<\/a>\u201d (1956) which ultimately led to the repeal of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002927406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1908<\/a> and in the enactment of the present Act of 1963 which came into force w.e.f. 1-1-1964. Two articles from the Limitation Act, which may be relevant reads thus:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; table-layout: auto; width: 200.62mm; margin-bottom: 3%; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\">\n<colgroup>\n<col width=\"207\" \/>\n<col width=\"176\" \/>\n<col width=\"172\" \/> <\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 54.72mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Description of suitPeriod of limitation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 91.9mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Time from which period begins to run<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 54.72mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">Article 113 \u2014 Any suit for which no period of limitation is provided elsewhere in this schedule.<\/td>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 46.46mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">Three years.<\/td>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 45.44mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">When the right to sue accrues.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The Second Division of the Limitation Act is of period of limitation for appeals whereas the Third Division is that of an application. Part I of this division relates to application in specified cases whereas Part II relates to other applications. Article 137 is the only article in Third Division of Part II, which reads as under:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; table-layout: auto; width: 200.62mm; margin-bottom: 3%; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\">\n<colgroup>\n<col width=\"213\" \/>\n<col width=\"173\" \/>\n<col width=\"169\" \/> <\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 56.24mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Description of suitPeriod of limitation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 90.39mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Time from which period begins to run<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 56.24mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">Article 137 \u2014 Any other application for which no period of limitation is provided elsewhere in this division.<\/td>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 45.78mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">Three years.<\/td>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 44.61mm; padding: 0.0mm 1.91mm 0.0mm 1.91mm; border: 0.5pt solid #000000;\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">When the right to apply accrues.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A comparison of Articles 113 and 137 shows that in any suit for which no period of limitation is prescribed, the time begins to run when the right to sue accrues whereas in Article 137 time to which period began to run when the right to apply accrues. Article 113 uses the word right to sue and Article 137 uses expression right to apply.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The question, which arises is as to whether there is distinction between the two expressions \u201cright to sue\u201d and the \u201cright to apply\u201d. The expression right to sue appearing in Article 113 has no material or substantial difference with the right to apply appearing in Article 137. The word \u201csue\u201d is appearing in Article 113 for the reason that such article relates to the suit, whereas Article 137 relates to application, therefore the word \u201capply\u201d appears in that article. The Limitation Act applies as it applies to the court in terms of Section 43 of the Act. Therefore, for a dispute between the parties, the period of limitation has to be referred to in Part I or Part II or Article 113 of the Limitation Act as the case may be. The application to seek appointment of an arbitrator is for resolution of dispute is not independent of \u201cright to sue\u201d in terms of the substantial provisions of the Limitation Act. The judgments of the Supreme Court in relation to appointment of an arbitrator has been arising out of Article 137 (earlier Article 181) of the Limitation Act.<\/p>\n<p>In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Wazir Chand Mahajan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><a id=\"fnref18\" title=\"18. AIR 1967 SC 990.\" href=\"#fn18\"><sup>18<\/sup><\/a>, a three-Judge Bench held that as originally enacted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002927406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1908<\/a>, all applications contemplated to be made under Articles 158 to 180, were to be made under the Code of Civil Procedure and there was a catena of authorities holding that in Article 181 the expression \u201cunder the Code of Civil Procedure\u201d must be deemed to be necessarily implicit. The Court held as under:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">5<\/span>. If Article 181 of the Limitation Act only governs applications under the Code of Civil Procedure for which no period of limitation is provided under the Schedule, an application under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002928126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration Act, 1940<\/a> not being an application under the Code of Civil Procedure, unless there is some provision, which by express enactment or plain intendment to the contrary in the Arbitration Act, 1940, will not be governed by that article.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">* * *<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">7<\/span>. There is no doubt that clause (1) of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001528593\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">37<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002928126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration Act, 1940<\/a> deals only with the authority of the arbitrator to deal with and decide any dispute referred to him: it has no concern with an application made to the court to file an arbitration agreement and to refer a dispute to the arbitrator. After an agreement is filed in court and the matter is referred to the arbitrator, it is for the arbitrator to decide by the application of the law contained in the Limitation Act, whether the claim is barred. But, Section 37(1) does not confer authority upon the court to reject the application for filing of an arbitration agreement under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001528575\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002928126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration Act, 1940<\/a> because the claim is not made within three years from the date on which the right to apply arose. In dealing with an application for filing an arbitration agreement, the court must satisfy itself about the existence of a written agreement which is valid and subsisting and which has been executed before the institution of any suit, and also that a dispute has arisen with regard to the subject-matter of the agreement which is within the jurisdiction of the court. But, the court is not concerned in dealing that application to deal with the question whether the claim of a party to the arbitration agreement is barred by the law of limitation: that question falls within the province of the arbitrator to whom the dispute is referred.<\/p>\n<p>A three-Judge Bench judgment reported as <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kerala SEB<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">T.P. Kunhaliumma<\/span><a id=\"fnref19\" title=\"19. (1976) 4 SCC 634.\" href=\"#fn19\"><sup>19<\/sup><\/a>, took a different view. The Court held as to an application for appointment of an arbitrator is not under the Code. It was held that an application shall lie before the court, therefore such an application would be governed by Article 137. It did not agree with the view that an application under Article 137 is maintainable as it is an application under the Code. The judgment in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Wazir Chand Mahajan case<\/span><a id=\"fnref20\" title=\"20. AIR 1967 SC 990.\" href=\"#fn20\"><sup>20<\/sup><\/a> was not brought to the notice of the Court. It was held as under:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">18<\/span>. The alteration of the division as well as the change in the collocation of words in Article 137 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a> compared with Article 181 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002927406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1908<\/a> shows that applications contemplated under Article 137 are not applications confined to the Code of Civil Procedure. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002927406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1908<\/a> there was no division between applications in specified cases and other applications as in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a>. The words \u2018\u201cany other application\u2019\u201d under Article 137 cannot be said on the principle of ejusdem generis to be applications under the Civil Procedure Code other than those mentioned in Part I of the Third Division. Any other application under Article 137 would be petition or any application under any Act. But it has to be an application to a court for the reason that Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001553196\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001553197\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a> speak of expiry of prescribed period when court is closed and extension of prescribed period if applicant or the appellant satisfies the court that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal or making the application during such period.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">* * *<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\">22. The conclusion we reach is that Article 137 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a> will apply to any petition or application filed under any Act to a civil court. With respect we differ from the view taken by the two-Judge Bench of this Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Town Municipal Council<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Presiding Officer<\/span><a id=\"fnref21\" title=\"21. (1969) 1 SCC 873.\" href=\"#fn21\"><sup>21<\/sup><\/a> and hold that Article 137 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a> is not confined to applications contemplated by or under the Code of Civil Procedure. The petition in the present case was to the District Judge as a court. The petition was one contemplated by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002835336\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Telegraph Act, 1885<\/a> for judicial decision. The petition is an application falling within the scope of Article 137 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a>.<a id=\"fnref22\" title=\"22. Kerala SEB case, (1976) 4 SCC 634, 638, 639.\" href=\"#fn22\"><sup>22<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Thus, there is material change in the interpretation in respect to applicability of Article 137 to an application for the appointment of an arbitrator. The view that an application under Article 181 is in fact an application under the Code is changed to the say that an application under Article 137 (old Article 181) is maintainable before the court. The said judgment in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kerala SEB case<\/span><a id=\"fnref23\" title=\"23. (1976) 4 SCC 634.\" href=\"#fn23\"><sup>23<\/sup><\/a> holds the field even now. The difference was in the reasoning and not in respect of applicability of Article 137 of the Limitation Act.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court held that an application for appointment of an arbitrator under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001528575\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002928126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration Act, 1940<\/a> or that under Section 11 of the Act is required to be filed within period of three years in terms of Article 137 of the Limitation Act (earlier Article 181 of the Limitation Act), when the demand for appointment is raised and not accepted by the respondents. The question as to whether the subject-matter of arbitration, it is within the period of limitation or not, will be gone into by the arbitrator.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The consistent view of the courts is that the period of limitation for an application for appointment of an arbitrator is under Article 137 of the Limitation Act.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The interpretation that Article 137 would be applicable in all situations of appointment of an Arbitral Tribunal, in my view, is fallacious. Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544949\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">43<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> or Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001528593\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">37<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002928126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration Act, 1940<\/a> states that the Limitation Act would apply as it applies to proceedings in courts. Therefore, the limitation would be the same as if the parties are approaching the civil court. Arbitration is an alternative to the civil court. The law does not provide a different period of limitation, then what would be limitation, if the cause is to be brought before the civil court?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">There are multiple ways of appointment of an Arbitral Tribunal, firstly, if a party fails to appoint an arbitrator after 30 days&#8217; notice is served in terms of Section 11(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, then by filing an application under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. This section provides that a party can approach the court for appointment of arbitrator, if both parties fail to appoint an arbitrator, either under an agreed procedure as per the agreement between the parties, or upon notice of invocation of arbitration. This aspect would be covered by the judgment in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kerala SEB case<\/span><a id=\"fnref24\" title=\"24. (1976) 4 SCC 634.\" href=\"#fn24\"><sup>24<\/sup><\/a>. In other words, the view is that the limitation is independent of cause of action to resolve disputes, as the period of limitation would be deemed to arise when the notice seeking appointment of an arbitrator is not accepted by the other side.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Secondly, the question is what would be the period of limitation if the other party agrees to appoint an arbitrator without the intervention of the court or if the parties have agreed to seek resolution of disputes by an arbitral institution. The limitation for resolution of disputes is the period prescribed for raising claim under the Limitation Act. Thus, in case of refusing to appoint an arbitrator, when the intervention of the court is required to be invoked, there would be extended period of limitation, which will start from the date of refusal but not in the case of appointment of an arbitrator without the intervention of the court or appointment of an arbitrator by an institution.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Thirdly, what would be the period of limitation, if an issue of arbitration agreement arises, before a judicial authority in terms of Section 8 of the Act. Section 8 deals with the situation where a party invokes the jurisdiction of a civil court even though there is an arbitration agreement. Such a court is competent to refer the parties to arbitration. Therefore, in a case where an arbitration agreement exists between the parties, and one party has still brought a civil action before the court, the opposing party can approach the court by filing an application under Section 8 praying for the matter to be referred to arbitration. Thus, if a judicial authority in terms of Section 8 of the Act is called upon to appoint an Arbitral Tribunal, the period of limitation would be as that is before the civil court.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The answer to the above questions would be different if an application for appointment of an arbitrator is treated to be one under Article 137 of the Limitation Act. In a situation where a party to an agreement appoints an arbitrator without intervention of the court, the period of limitation would be that under Part I or Part II or under Article 113 of the Limitation Act of the First Division relating to suits. Article 137 would not come into play at all in such a scenario.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544922\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">21<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> deals with the commencement of arbitration proceedings and not the period of limitation, or as to when the cause of action accrues to a party.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, #79a4d2);\">Identifying the statutory snag<\/h4>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Act requires the entire arbitration proceedings to be decided within 12 months (excluding the 6-month time for statement of claim and defence). While, on the other hand, in view of the judgments referred to above, an application under Section 11(6) of the Act, the period of limitation is three years. Such time is contrary to the concept of arbitration to ensure time-bound completion of the proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>22. In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Arif Azim Co. Ltd.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aptech Ltd.<\/span><a id=\"fnref25\" title=\"25. 2024 SCC OnLine SC 215.\" href=\"#fn25\"><sup>25<\/sup><\/a> an arbitration application was filed within a period of three years from the date when the respondent failed to comply with the notice of invocation of arbitration, which was issued by the petitioner. In the said petition, the following two issues were decided:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(1) Whether the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a> is applicable to an application for appointment of arbitrator under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11(6)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a>? If yes, whether the present petition is barred by limitation?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(2) Whether the court may refuse to make a reference under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> where the claims are ex facie and hopelessly time-barred?<\/p>\n<p>The Court observed that the Parliament should consider bringing an amendment to the Act prescribing a specific period of limitation within which a party may move the court for making an application for appointment of arbitrators under Section 11 of the Act. The relevant extract from the judgment reads as under:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">94<\/span>. Before we part with the matter, we would like to mention that this Court while dealing with similar issues in many other matters has observed that the applicability of Section 137 to applications under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11(6)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> is a result of legislative vacuum as there is no statutory prescription regarding the time-limit. We would again like to reiterate that the period of three years is an unduly long period for filing an application under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> and goes against the very spirit of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> which provides for expeditious resolution of commercial disputes within a time-bound manner. Various amendments to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> have been made over the years so as to ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted and concluded expeditiously. We are of the considered opinion that the Parliament should consider bringing an amendment to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> prescribing a specific period of limitation within which a party may move the court for making an application for appointment of arbitrators under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a>.\u2026<a id=\"fnref26\" title=\"26. Arif Azim Co. Ltd. case, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 215.\" href=\"#fn26\"><sup>26<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In my view, the Act is required to be amended so as to make it implicit about the period of limitation in all situations and not merely in case of an application for appointment of an arbitrator under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001544910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a>, so that purpose of the Act to provide an effective alternative dispute mechanism for a quick resolution of disputes becomes a reality. In order to make India as a global arbitration hub, the procedure should not be allowed to defeat the very essence of arbitration. An ideal periphery on an equal footing in the arbitration laws is the need of the hour especially when the arbitration world is looking upon India as a \u201clight bearer\u201d in the field of ADR mechanism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">*Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and Chairperson, India International Arbitration Centre<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726944\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Code of Civil Procedure, 1908<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726934\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evidence Act, 1872<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Limitation Act, 1963<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002928126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arbitration Act, 1940<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/89A62GlH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1948 SCC OnLine PC 44<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8vSRzUvB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[LR] 22 QBD 128<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2Tx8oEpz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[LR] 8 CP 107<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8vSRzUvB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[LR] 22 QBD 128<\/a>, 131.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8vSRzUvB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[LR] 22 QBD 128<\/a>, 132, 133.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8vSRzUvB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[LR] 22 QBD 128<\/a>, 133.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/iL3Vxn52\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1888 SCC OnLine PC 14<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/UYE8d125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2020) 16 SCC 601<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tf7F0lf2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2012) 8 SCC 706<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2Gw51XnC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2023) 7 SCC 791<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2Tx8oEpz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[LR] 8 CP 107<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Summit Online Trade Solutions (P) Ltd. case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2Gw51XnC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2023) 7 SCC 791<\/a>, 797.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn18\" href=\"#fnref18\">18.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/n6MsTSp0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AIR 1967 SC 990<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn19\" href=\"#fnref19\">19.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/52OshEaf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(1976) 4 SCC 634<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn20\" href=\"#fnref20\">20.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/n6MsTSp0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AIR 1967 SC 990<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn21\" href=\"#fnref21\">21.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/iNDR0I1x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(1969) 1 SCC 873<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn22\" href=\"#fnref22\">22.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kerala SEB case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/52OshEaf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(1976) 4 SCC 634<\/a>, 638, 639.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn23\" href=\"#fnref23\">23.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/52OshEaf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(1976) 4 SCC 634<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn24\" href=\"#fnref24\">24.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/52OshEaf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(1976) 4 SCC 634<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn25\" href=\"#fnref25\">25.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/w9Gcw9r4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 215<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn26\" href=\"#fnref26\">26.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Arif Azim Co. Ltd. case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/w9Gcw9r4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 215<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Justice (Retd.) Hemant Gupta*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8808,"featured_media":321209,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20271,67193],"tags":[29543,68210,10131,27414,46260,15491,68208,3655,24144,68209],"class_list":["post-321207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-experts_corner","category-justice-hemant-gupta","tag-alternative-dispute-resolution","tag-appointment-of-an-arbitrator","tag-arbitration-and-conciliation-act","tag-cpc","tag-experts-corner","tag-law-commission-of-india","tag-legislative-vacuum","tag-limitation","tag-limitation-act","tag-limitation-under-arbitration"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Time to Fill the Legislative Vacuum for Limitation 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