Arbitration time extension granted where proceedings were actively pursued and the award-making deadline had expired.

Time for completion of arbitral proceedings and making the award was extended where the arbitration had been actively pursued, the mandate of the arbitrator had expired, and the respondent did not oppose the request. The Court treated the time and labour already invested in the proceedings as a relevant consideration and granted extension under the arbitration statute, allowing the proceedings to continue up to 30.09.2020 reckoned from 18.08.2019.

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Issues: Whether the time for completion of the arbitration proceedings and for making the arbitral award could be extended under Section 29A(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Analysis: The petition sought extension of time on the ground that the arbitral proceedings had been actively pursued but remained incomplete and the mandate of the arbitrator had expired. Notice was issued and the respondent did not oppose the prayer. In view of the time and labour already invested in the proceedings, the Court extended the time for completion of the arbitration and for rendering the award.

Conclusion: The extension was granted and the arbitral proceedings were allowed to continue up to 30.09.2020, reckoned from 18.08.2019.

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