Follow us on
LinkedIn Profile
Cinevistaas Ltd. vs. Prasar Bharti (12.02.2019 – DELHC) : MANU/DE/0592/2019, Coram : Justice Prathiba M. Singh, J
Facts:
π The Petitioner, Cinevistaas Ltd., had undertaken production of a game show the telecast of which was approved by Prasar Bharti, which is the public service broadcaster established under a statute.
πWhen Prasar Bharti informed Cinevistaas that the show would not be aired, the latter triggered arbitration and a sole arbitrator was also appointed by the High Court of Delhi upon an application made by Cinevistaas.
π During the pendency of the arbitration, Cinevistaas moved an application before the arbitrator seeking permission to correct two claims in its statement of claims.
πThrough the correction, Cinevistaas sought to increase the claims regarding losses incurred on account of concept development, research scripting and appointing technicians.
π This application was dismissed by the arbitrator on 08.08.2009 on the ground of limitation. The arbitrator held that the changes sought to be made by the application constituted additional claims and that the application for incorporating such additional claims, was barred by limitation.
πIt was this order of the arbitrator that was challenged before the High Court.
Sequitur by the Court:
35. Arbitral proceedings are not meant to be dealt with in a straightjacket manner. Arbitral proceedings cannot also be conducted in a blinkered manner. There could be various situations wherein, due to inadvertent or other errors, applications for amendments/corrections may have to be moved.
π So long as the disputes fall broadly within the reference, correction and amendments ought to be permitted and a narrow approach cannot be adopted.
36. In the facts of this case, it is clear that the quantification of claims was done correctly in the notice invoking arbitration, in the application under Section 11 as also in the writ petition filed by the Petitioner.
π The rejection of the additional claims has in fact resulted in greater delay rather than expeditious disposal. The bona fides of the Petitioner are not in question. Rejection of additional claims by the impugned order have all the trappings of an award and hence the Section 34 petition is clearly maintainable.
37. It is, accordingly, held that the present petition is maintainable. Additional claims having been raised in the first place in the notice invoking arbitration, the claims are not time barred by limitation as the commencement of arbitral proceedings is governed by Section 21 of the Act which stipulates that the notice invoking arbitration constitutes commencement. Amended claim petition is, therefore, directed to be taken on record.
Choose ADROIT as your Expert Advisor!
A-202 Oak Canopy, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore - 641 005,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Post Box 228, Postal Code 211,
Muscat - Oman.
This website has been designed only for the purposes of dissemination of basic information on ADROIT; information which is otherwise available on the internet, various public platforms and social media. Careful attention has been given to ensure that the information provided herein is accurate and up-to-date.
This website is not an attempt to advertise or solicit clients and does not seek to create or invite any lawyer-client relationship. The links provided on this website are to facilitate access to basic information on ADROIT, and, to share the various thought leadership initiatives undertaken by it. The content herein or on such links should not be construed as a legal reference or legal advice. Readers are advised not to act on any information contained herein or on the links and should refer to legal counsels and experts in their respective jurisdictions for further information and to determine its impact.