Delhi is one of India's principal seats of arbitration, with arbitration-related court work concentrated before the High Court of Delhi and the commercial courts. The chamber of Advocate Manish Jha handles arbitration proceedings and the court applications that surround them.
Arbitration Work Handled by the Chamber
- Section 9 — applications for interim measures from the court before or during arbitration and before enforcement of the award: securing amounts in dispute, injunctions against invocation of bank guarantees, preservation of assets and appointment of receivers.
- Section 11 — petitions for appointment of arbitrators where the agreed appointment mechanism fails, before the High Court of Delhi in domestic matters.
- Section 34 — applications to set aside arbitral awards on the limited statutory grounds, and defence of awards against such challenges, within the strict limitation period of three months (extendable by thirty days on sufficient cause, and no further).
- Conduct of arbitrations — appearing for claimants and respondents in ad hoc arbitrations and in institutional arbitrations administered in Delhi, including under the rules of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre.
The chamber also drafts and reviews arbitration clauses — seat, governing law, institution and appointment mechanism — since most arbitration disputes trace back to a poorly drafted clause. Related practice pages: business and corporate law and notices of invocation and replies.
Chamber Address
Advocate Manish Jha
E-397, 4th Floor, Tagore Garden Extension,
New Delhi – 110027
Phone: +91 98738 50301
Email: legal@advocatemanishjha.com
When writing to the chamber about an arbitration matter, please mention the arbitration clause or agreement, the stage of the dispute (notice of invocation, pending arbitration, or award already passed with its date), any limitation dates you are aware of, and copies of the contract and correspondence. Award dates matter particularly, because the Section 34 window is short and strictly applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to challenge an arbitral award?
An application under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 must be filed within three months of receiving the award. The court may condone a further delay of up to thirty days on sufficient cause, but no more. The date of receipt of the signed award should therefore be recorded and acted upon immediately.
Can a court grant urgent relief before arbitration starts?
Yes. Section 9 permits a party to seek interim measures from the court before or during the arbitral proceedings — such as securing the amount in dispute, restraining encashment of bank guarantees or preserving assets. Where interim protection is granted before arbitration begins, the statute requires the arbitration itself to be commenced within the prescribed period.
What if the other side refuses to appoint an arbitrator?
After serving a notice invoking arbitration, if the agreed appointment procedure fails or the other party does not cooperate within the statutory period, a petition under Section 11 may be filed — before the High Court of Delhi in domestic matters — for appointment of the arbitrator by the court.