What types of disputes are not covered under arbitration in India?
Asked by: Michel Bauch | Last update: October 18, 2025Score: 5/5 (51 votes)
- Criminal offences.
- Matrimonial disputes.
- Guardianship matters.
- Insolvency petitions.
- Testamentary suits.
- Trust disputes.
- Labour and industrial disputes.
- Tenancy and eviction matters governed by rent control statutes.
What is excluded from arbitration?
First, that the claims subject to arbitration were primarily claims brought by employees (e.g., unlawful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour disputes, etc.); while claims typically brought by employers were explicitly excluded from arbitration (e.g., theft, embezzlement, non-compete agreements, ...
What matters are not allowed in arbitration?
1 of Act 49 of 1996.] A reference to arbitration shall not be permissible in respect of- (a) any matrimonial cause or any matter incidental to any such cause; or (b) any matter relating to status.
What makes an arbitration agreement invalid in India?
An arbitration agreement, being a contract governed by the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (ICA), will be void and unenforceable if executed by a person who is not competent to contract, for example, a minor or a person of unsound mind.
Is arbitration compulsory in India?
Generally parties who have not consented to arbitration either in the form of an arbitration agreement between each other or in the form of an arbitration clause which forms part of the main contract, cannot be forced to arbitrate disputes arising between them.
Explained: Arbitration Process in India | Rohit Pradhan
What kind of disputes could be resolved through arbitration in India?
Practically all types of Disputes of Civil Nature except Probate, Child Custody, Family Court Disputes and Tax and Revenue matters can be decided by way of Arbitration.
In which situation arbitration is mandatory?
Mandatory arbitration clauses—fine print contract terms that bar lawsuits—are everywhere. Once limited to negotiated agreements between corporations with comparable bargaining power, arbitration provisions can now be found in the terms of service for widely-used, take-it-or-leave-it consumer and employment contracts.
When should arbitration not be used?
“[T]he FAA does not require arbitration when there are valid contract defenses to the enforcement of the arbitration agreement.” (Id. at 1142.) A court may refuse to enforce an arbitration agreement if the agreement fails to satisfy California's conscionability standards.
Why is arbitration failing in India?
Reasons for the Failure of the Institutional Arbitration in India. The development of Institutional Arbitration has been hampered by a lack of support from the federal and state governments. More court intervention in the arbitration process. In the arbitral institutions, there is a lack of infrastructure.
What happens if a party does not appear for arbitration in India?
India has an adversarial system. The courts will proceed ex parte only if the award debtor fails to appear despite being served with proper notice of court proceedings. An award may be recognised and enforced on the basis of an application made by the award holder under section 47 of the Arbitration Act.
What disputes Cannot be arbitrated?
For example, most criminal, family, matrimonial, and labor disputes can't be settled by arbitration. Instead, as in the case of a criminal dispute, the prosecuting authority would compel the defendant to appear in court with the force of law.
What are 2 disadvantages of arbitration?
- Limited Appeal Options: One of the most significant downsides of arbitration is that it offers very limited options for appeal. ...
- Potentially Less Oversight: The informal nature of the arbitration process could lead to less regulatory oversight, making it crucial to choose a reputable arbitrator.
What voids an arbitration?
As a general rule, only strong evidence of duress or fraud are sufficient to invalidate an arbitration clause. It is worth noting that many state courts will to set aside arbitration agreements where the parties have vastly disparate bargaining power (such as between employers and employees).
What happens if one party refuses arbitration?
On petition of a party to an arbitration agreement alleging the existence of a written agreement to arbitrate a controversy and that a party thereto refuses to arbitrate such controversy, the court shall order the petitioner and the respondent to arbitrate the controversy if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate ...
What can invalidate an arbitration agreement?
However, if a plaintiff unwittingly entered into an arbitration agreement due to coercion or deception, or if the terms of the arbitration agreement undermine the plaintiff's ability to vindicate their rights, courts can and sometimes do step in and invalidate the contract.
What are the exceptions to arbitration clause?
The following matters shall be excluded from arbitration under this Agreement: (i) any disputes involving third Persons; (ii) breach of confidentiality by either Party; and (iii) intellectual property claims, whether initiated by third Persons or by one of the Parties to this Agreement.
What are arbitration rules in India?
Appointment of arbitrators.—(1) A person of any nationality may be an arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. (2) Subject to sub-section (6), the parties are free to agree on a procedure for appointing the arbitrator or arbitrators.
Who bears the cost of arbitration in India?
The losing party bears the cost of arbitration which innocent party from bearing the costs. The court or tribunal has the power to determine which party is liable to pay costs, what would be the amount and when the payment has to be made.
Can you go to court after arbitration in India?
(1) Recourse to a Court against an arbitral award may be made only by an application for setting aside such award in accordance with sub-section (2) and sub-section (3). (ii) the arbitral award is in conflict with the public policy of India. (iii) it is in conflict with the most basic notions of morality or justice.
What claims are not subject to arbitration?
Under the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, arbitration agreements are unenforceable with respect to cases that include claims involving sexual harassment or sexual assault. Where a case includes such claims, other claims in the same case are also not subject to arbitration.
Who usually wins in arbitration?
An empirical study conducted by economic firm ndp | analytics and released by ILR shows that employees and consumers win more money, more often, and more quickly in arbitration than in a lawsuit. Employees were more likely to win in arbitration (almost 38 percent) than in a lawsuit (almost 11 percent).
Is it better to settle or go to arbitration?
An arbitration hearing is far more private. It only involves you, the other party, and a few neutral third parties. Arbitration is the better choice if your case has anything to do with intellectual property, trade secrets, or other confidential information.
Can you sue after arbitration?
In some instances, you may be able to sue if you signed a valid arbitration agreement. While courts generally favor arbitration agreements, they will allow you to file a lawsuit if either you didn't understand your rights or your claims fall outside the arbitration provision's scope.
What is the arbitration clause in India?
The standard arbitration clause is a contractual provision that compels the parties to resolve their dispute through arbitration rather than going to court for litigation. This is a private, cost-effective, and quicker alternate dispute resolution method.
Who pays for arbitration?
The parties each pay their own costs to conduct their case. Parties will likely not encounter all of the above costs on every case, and the amount of these costs, and which party must pay them, is different depending on the case and the rules that apply.