S.29A Of Arbitration Act As Amended By 2019 Amendment Governs All Pending Arbitrations After Coming Into Force: Sikkim High Court

The Sikkim High Court held that the amended Section 29A of Arbitration Act (introducing strict timelines) applies to all pending arbitrations when the 2019 amendment took effect. Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan ruled the provision is procedural and thus immediately applicable. The case involved a 2017 arbitration delayed beyond new 12-month deadline. This clarifies uncertainty about transitional cases, expediting long-pending arbitrations. The judgment balances efficiency with fairness by allowing extensions for sufficient cause shown. Institutional arbitrations may need to prioritize older cases to comply with retroactive timelines. The ruling accelerates India's shift toward time-bound dispute resolution in commercial matters.