(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall decide whether to hold oral hearings for the presentation of evidence or for oral argument, or whether the proceedings shall be conducted on the basis of documents and other materials:
Provided that the arbitral tribunal shall hold oral hearings, at an appropriate stage of the proceedings, on a request by a party, unless the parties have previously agreed that no oral hearing shall be held:
Provided further that the arbitral tribunal shall, as far as possible, hold oral hearings for the presentation of evidence or for oral argument on day-to-day basis, and not grant any adjournments unless sufficient cause made out, and may impose costs including exemplary costs on the party seeking adjournment without any sufficient cause.
(2) The parties shall be given sufficient advance notice of any hearing and of any meeting of the arbitral tribunal for the purpose of inspection of documents, goods or other property.
(3) All statements, documents or other information supplied to, or applications made to the arbitral tribunal by one party shall be communicated to the other party, and any expert report or evidentiary document on which the arbitral tribunal may rely in making its decision shall be communicated to the parties.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 24
Section 24 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 regulates oral hearings and written proceedings, empowering the tribunal to decide whether to hold oral hearings for evidence and arguments or conduct proceedings on documents alone, while mandating oral hearings if requested by a party.
If your case involves disputed questions of fact, cross-examination, or technical quantification, submit a formal written request for oral hearings under Section 24(1) Proviso; the arbitrator is legally bound to grant oral hearings upon request.