BACKGROUND
In order to prevent unnecessary delay in passing of the arbitral
award, a restrain has been placed on the arbitral tribunal to pass
the award within 12 months from the date the arbitral tribunal
enters upon reference.
Section 29A of the Act is intended to sensitize the parties as
also the Arbitral Tribunal to aim for culmination of the
arbitration proceedings expeditiously. It is with this legislative
intent, Section 29A was introduced in the Act by way of the
Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2015. This provision
is not intended for a party to seek substitution of an arbitrator
only because the party has apprehension about the conduct of the
arbitration proceedings by the said arbitrator. The only ground for
removal of the arbitrator under Section 29A of the Act can be the
failure of the arbitrator to proceed expeditiously in the
adjudication process.1
