Authority: Calcutta High Court, Commercial Division
Order Date: 12 June 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Petitioner – SREI EQUIPMENT FINANCE LIMITED; Respondents – BUMI GEO ENGINEERING LTD and another.
- The petition was filed under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking an extension of the arbitral tribunal’s mandate to conclude the proceedings and publish the award.
- Prior procedural history:
- Order dated 03 January 2024 appointed a sole arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes.
- With parties’ consent, the tribunal’s mandate was first extended for six months up to 02 January 2026.
- Subsequent order dated 28 January 2026 further extended the mandate for four months, setting the new deadline as 27 May 2026.
- Respondent counsel expressed no objection to any further extension.
- Petitioner counsel indicated that the matter was at the stage of final arguments.
- The Court observed that there was no undue or unwarranted delay by the sole arbitrator in concluding the proceedings.
Final Outcome
- The Court, considering the advanced stage of the arbitration and in the interest of justice, extended the mandate of the arbitral tribunal for an additional three months from the date of the order (12 June 2026), effectively setting a new deadline around 12 September 2026.
- The sole arbitrator was directed to make all reasonable endeavours to conclude the arbitral proceedings and publish the arbitral award within this extended period.
- The application for extension was disposed of.
Topics: Arbitration Extension, Commercial Litigation