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Gian Chand Manchanda & Anr. vs. Namita Arora & Anr.

Arbitration Petition · 2026:DHC:8910Decided 6 Oct 2026New Delhi Bench
ARB.P. 1330/2026CNR: DLHC010350392026
Justice Om Prakash Shukla

Background

The petitioner sought appointment of an arbitrator for a dispute with the respondents. At the hearing, the respondent's counsel proposed first attempting mediation, with arbitration to follow if mediation failed, and both sides agreed.

Decision Breakdown

The Court referred the matter to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre (SAMADHAN), granting three weeks for mediation, while simultaneously appointing Mr. Karan Malik as sole arbitrator to take over only if mediation fails, since the existence of the arbitration agreement itself was undisputed.

Lesson Learnt

Courts can combine a mediation attempt with a ready-made arbitration fallback in a single order, sparing parties a second trip to court if mediation does not succeed.

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