M/S Arif Azim Co. Ltd. vs M/S Aptech Ltd.

insc-2024-155 Supreme Court of India 1 March 2024 • 68 min read

Judges (3)

Parties (2)

Case Significance

M/S Arif Azim Co. Ltd. vs M/S Aptech Ltd. is a Supreme Court of India decision dated March 1, 2024 (citation: insc-2024-155). A Kabul-based company filed a petition under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act for appointment of an arbitrator in a franchise agreement dispute with Aptech Ltd. The Court addressed two key issues: whether the Limitation Act applies to Section 11(6) applications (holding it does, with Article 137's 3-year period applying) and whether a court may refuse reference when claims are ex-facie time-barred (holding it may in clear cases). The petition was allowed and Justice Sanja The bench comprised Justices Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The judgment was delivered by Justice J.B. Pardiwala.

Summary

A Kabul-based company filed a petition under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act for appointment of an arbitrator in a franchise agreement dispute with Aptech Ltd. The Court addressed two key issues: whether the Limitation Act applies to Section 11(6) applications (holding it does, with Article 137's 3-year period applying) and whether a court may refuse reference when claims are ex-facie time-barred (holding it may in clear cases). The petition was allowed and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul (retired) was appointed as sole arbitrator, while recommending Parliament prescribe a shorter limitation period.

What was the outcome of M/S Arif Azim Co. Ltd. vs M/S Aptech Ltd.?

A Kabul-based company filed a petition under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act for appointment of an arbitrator in a franchise agreement dispute with Aptech Ltd. The Court addresse...

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official India Courts portal.

Read on Indian Kanoon

Source: Indian Kanoon (insc-2024-155)