Delivering Arbitral Award To Power Of Attorney Holder Satisfies Requirement Of 'Delivery' U/S 31(5) Of A&C Act: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has ruled that the delivery of an arbitral award to the power of attorney (POA) holder of a party satisfies the requirement of delivery within the meaning of Section 31(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The court reasoned that a duly authorized POA holder acts on behalf of the principal, and therefore, delivery to the POA is equivalent to delivery to the party itself. This interpretation facilitates the arbitration process by recognizing the authority of POA holders in receiving important documents such as the arbitral award. It ensures that the statutory requirement of delivery is met even when the principal is not directly served, provided their authorized representative has received the award.