Service of Scanned Arbitral Awards and Limitation Under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act

sketch of the Bombay High Court
Case
UNION OF INDIA v. INSPIRISYS SOLUTIONS LTD (Bombay High Court, 06-10-2026)
Law
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, General Clauses Act.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Examination of the limitation period under Section 34(3) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
  • Interpretation of the term "signed copy" under Section 31(5) regarding digital, scanned, or photostat delivery.
  • Assessment of whether delayed payment of arbitral fees defers the publication and commencement of limitation.
  • Application of modern jurisprudence recognizing electronic modes of service like WhatsApp and email as valid delivery.
  • Rejection of attempts to artificially extend statutory timelines by insisting on original ink-signed documents.