M/S Livguard Energy Technologies Private Limited vs. Arihant Enterprises
Background
The petitioner sought an extension of the sole arbitrator's mandate after arguments in the arbitration had already concluded and the matter had been reserved for the award; the respondent, despite advance notice, did not appear to oppose the request.
Decision Breakdown
Finding that the arbitration had reached an advanced stage (reserved for award) and that no party would be prejudiced, the Court extended the arbitrator's mandate by two further months and regularised the intervening period.
Lesson Learnt
Courts routinely grant procedural extensions to an arbitrator's mandate where the arbitration is nearly complete and no party stands to be prejudiced, helping avoid technical nullification of a nearly-finished arbitration.