#sec18arbitration #sec27arbitration #arbitrationact1996
Section 18 in THE ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT, 1996
18. Equal treatment of parties.-The parties shall be treated with equality and each party shall be given a full opportunity to present his case
.. Determination of rules of procedure.-(1) The arbitral tribunal
shall not be bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) or the
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872).
(2) Subject to this Part, the parties are free to agree on the procedure
to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in conducting its proceedings.
(3) Failing any agreement referred to in sub-section (2), the arbitral
tribunal may, subject to this Part, conduct the proceedings in the manner
it considers appropriate.
(4) The power of the arbitral tribunal under sub-section (3) includes
the power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality and
weight of any evidence.
20. Place of arbitration.-(1) The parties are free to agree on the
place of arbitration.
(2) Failing any agreement referred to in sub-section (1), the place of
arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal having regard to
the circumstances of the case, including the convenience of the parties.
(3) Notwithstanding sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the arbitral
tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any place it
considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing
witnesses, experts or the parties, or for inspection of documents, goods
or other property.
21. Commencement of arbitral proceedings.-Unless otherwise
agreed by the parties, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular
dispute commence on the date on which a request for that dispute to be
referred to arbitration is received by the respondent.