Legal & Judicial Updates (July 2025)

NOTABLE JUDGEMENTS JUNE 2025

ARBITRATION LAW

I. Case Title: BGM and M-RPL-JMCT (JV) Versus Eastern Coalfields Limited

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 731

Court: Supreme Court of India

Decided on: 18.07.2025

Brief Facts:

• The Appellant–a joint venture entity–entered into a contract with the Respondent (Eastern Coalfields Ltd.) for the transportation/handling of goods. Disputes arose during the currency of the contract. The Appellant invoked Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking appointment of an arbitrator, relying upon Clause 13 of the General Terms and Conditions of the contract.
• Clause 13 stated that, in the case of parties other than government agencies, "the redressal of the dispute may be sought through Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996." The Respondent objected on the ground that the clause did not constitute a binding arbitration agreement under Section 7 of the Act. The Calcutta High Court upheld the objection