Five Things to Check in an Arbitration Clause Before Signing a Contract

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An amendment to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 took effect in India on 23 October 2015, introducing a statutory deadline for arbitrators to deliver their award. The article argues that the arbitration clause, often treated as routine boilerplate, deserves close attention because it determines how disputes will be resolved. It recommends confirming that the clause is genuinely an arbitration agreement and naming the seat rather than just the venue. Parties should also decide how many arbitrators will hear the dispute and understand the timeline they are accepting. The piece additionally advises considering how hearings will actually be conducted and what follows once the award is issued.

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