Court extends arbitral mandate under Section 29A upon parties' mutual consent to ensure continuity of proceedings.

The Petitioner and Respondents entered into a Term Sheet Agreement (02.02.2011) and subsequent definitive agreements.

Following disputes, a three-member Arbitral Tribunal was constituted on 27.10.2023.

Pleadings concluded on 08.09.2024, and the mandate was initially extended by mutual consent until 27.10.2025.

Subsequently, the High Court extended the mandate until 30.06.2026 via O.M.P. (Misc.) (Comm.) No. 889/2025.

As the proceedings remain at the stage of cross-examination of witnesses, the Petitioner approached the Court seeking a further extension until 30.06.2027.

1. Whether the Court should exercise its power to extend the mandate of the Arbitral Tribunal under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

The Court applied Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which stipulates the time limits for arbitral awards and empowers the court to extend the mandate upon the expiry of the statutory or consensually extended period.

Specifically, Section 29A(4) allows for such extension for "sufficient cause," and Section 29A(5) outlines the application process.

The Court also referred to the precedent of Rohan Builders (India) Private Limited v. Berger Paints India Limited, which clarified the scope and ambit of Section 29A regarding the timeline for making an award.

The Court observed that the arbitral proceedings had progressed to the stage of cross-examination but could not be completed within the previously extended deadline of 30.06.2026.

To ensure "continuity and consistency" in the adjudication of the dispute, the Court found it necessary to grant an extension.

The Court placed significant weight on the fact that both the Petitioner and the Respondents were ad idem (in agreement) regarding the need for further time, as the Respondents expressed no objection to the relief sought.

Finding "sufficient cause" and no legal impediment, the Court determined that allowing the petition would serve the interests of justice.

The mandate of the learned Arbitral Tribunal was extended for an additional period of twelve months, setting the new deadline for the award as 30.06.2027 (noted as 31.06.2027 in the order). All pending applications were disposed of accordingly.