Bare Acts

The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

1996 · Ministry of Law and Justice · In force · synced 04 Jul 2026

1.Short title, extent and commencement

I

2.Definitions 3.Receipt of written communications 4.Waiver of right to object 5.Extent of judicial intervention 6.Administrative assistance

II

7.Arbitration agreement 8.Power to refer parties to arbitration where there is an arbitration agreement 8B.Power of the court, seized of matters under sections 34 or 37 of the Act, to refer the dispute to Mediation or Conciliation 9.Interim measures, etc., by Court

III

10.Number of arbitrators 11.Appointment of arbitrators 11A.Power of Central Government to amend Fourth Schedule 12.Grounds for challenge 13.Challenge procedure 14.Failure or impossibility to act 15.Termination of mandate and substitution of arbitrator

IV

16.Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction 17.Interim measures ordered by arbitral tribunal

V

18.Equal treatment of parties 19.Determination of rules of procedure 20.Place of arbitration 21.Commencement of arbitral proceedings 22.Language 23.Statements of claim and defence 24.Hearings and written proceedings 25.Default of a party 26.Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal 27.Court assistance in taking evidence

VI

28.Rules applicable to substance of dispute 29A.Time limit for arbitral award 29B.Fast track procedure 30.Settlement 31.Form and contents of arbitral award 31A.Regime for costs 32.Termination of proceedings 33.Correction and interpretation of award; additional award

VII

34.Application for setting aside arbitral award

VIII

35.Finality of arbitral awards 36.Enforcement

IX

37.Appealable orders

X

38.Deposits 39.Lien on arbitral award and deposits as to costs 40.Arbitration agreement not to be discharged by death of party thereto 41.Provisions in case of insolvency 42.Jurisdiction 42A.Confidentiality of information 42B.Protection of action taken in good faith 43.Limitations 43A.Definitions.43B.Establishment and incorporation of Arbitration Council of India 43C.Composition of Council 43D.Duties and functions of Council 43E.Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Council 43F.Resignation of Members 43G.Removal of Member 43H.Appointment of experts and constitution of Committees thereof 43J.Norms for accreditation of arbitrators 43K.Depository of awards 43L.Power to make regulations by Council 43M.Chief Executive Officer

I

44.Definition 45.Power of judicial authority to refer parties to arbitration 46.When foreign award binding 47.Evidence 48.Conditions for enforcement of foreign awards 49.Enforcement of foreign awards 50.Appealable orders 51.Saving 52.Chapter II not to apply

II

53.Interpretation 54.Power of judicial authority to refer parties to arbitration 55.Foreign awards when binding 56.Evidence 57.Conditions for enforcement of foreign awards 58.Enforcement of foreign awards 59.Appealable orders 60.Saving

III

61.Application and scope 62.Commencement of conciliation proceedings 63.Number of conciliators 64.Appointment of conciliators 65.Submission of statements to conciliator 66.Conciliator not bound by certain enactments 67.Role of conciliator 68.Administrative assistance 69.Communication between conciliator and parties 70.Disclosure of information 71.Co-operation of parties with conciliator 72.Suggestions by parties for settlement of dispute 73.Settlement agreement 74.Status and effect of settlement agreement 75.Confidentiality 76.Termination of conciliation proceedings 77.Resort to arbitral or judicial proceedings 78.Costs 79.Deposits 80.Role of conciliator in other proceedings 81.Admissibility of evidence in other proceedings

IV — SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

82.Power of High Court to make rules 83.Removal of difficulties 84.Power to make rules 85.Repeal and savings 86.Repeal and saving 87.Effect of arbitral and related court proceedings commenced prior to 23rd October,

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