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Virender Singh vs. GTL Infrastructure Limited

Arbitration Petition · 2026:DHC:8919Decided 6 Oct 2026New Delhi Bench
ARB.P. 1504/2026CNR: DLHC010394172026
Justice Om Prakash Shukla

Background

The petitioner sought appointment of a sole arbitrator for disputes arising from a License Agreement dated 29.08.2009 and a Supplementary Agreement dated 12.12.2016, which contained an arbitration clause (Clause 11) providing for a sole arbitrator nominated by the licensee (respondent).

Decision Breakdown

Finding the arbitration clause undisputed and both parties agreed on referring the dispute to arbitration, the Court appointed Ms. Geetanjali Setia as sole arbitrator under DIAC rules, even though the respondent's counsel did not formally appear.

Lesson Learnt

A long-standing commercial contract (here dating to 2009) can still be enforced through arbitration years later, with the court's role limited to confirming a prima facie valid clause before handing the dispute to the arbitrator.

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