Arbitrator Can Only Decide On Point Which Is Referred To Tribunal, Not Entire Dispute': Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled on the scope of judicial review in arbitration cases, particularly with respect to the power of arbitrators to resolve only disputes referred to them. The case involved a challenge where the arbitrator decided a matter beyond the scope of the issues submitted for arbitration. The Court ruled that under Section 37 of the Arbitration Act, an arbitrator’s jurisdiction is limited to the disputes that are explicitly referred to them. The decision affirmed that an arbitrator cannot adjudicate on matters that were not part of the original agreement. This ensures that arbitration remains focused and does not overstep the boundaries set by the parties involved.