Section 6 Arbitration Act: Administrative assistance

Section 6 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996: Administrative assistance

Official Bare Act Text

Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary

In order to facilitate the conduct of the arbitral proceedings, the parties, or the arbitral tribunal with the consent of the parties, may arrange for administrative assistance by a suitable institution or person.

Statutory Defined Terms in this Section: (Click any term for official legal definition)

Arbitration Sec 2(1)(a) Arbitral Tribunal Sec 2(1)(d)

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 6

Section 6 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 provides for administrative assistance to facilitate the conduct of arbitral proceedings, authorizing parties or the arbitral tribunal to arrange for administrative services by a suitable institution or person.

Administrative Services Engagement: In order to facilitate the conduct of arbitral proceedings, the parties, or the arbitral tribunal with the consent of the parties, may arrange for administrative assistance by a suitable institution or person.
Secretarial and Registry Support: Covers secretarial services, hearing venue management, electronic transcription, translation, and fund management.
Institutional Arbitration Bridge: Enables ad hoc tribunals to leverage established arbitration facilities (e.g., DIAC, MCIA, SIAC) for registry support without adopting full institutional rules.

Key Landmark Precedents:

Bharat Aluminium Co. (BALCO) v. Kaiser Aluminium Technical Services Inc., (2012) 9 SCC 552: The Supreme Court noted that Section 6 allows parties to enlist institutional registry assistance to maintain procedural efficiency and transparent record keeping.
Sundaram Finance Ltd. v. NEPC India Ltd., (1999) 2 SCC 479: Discussed the flexibility of procedural arrangements available to parties under the 1996 Act.

Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In high-value ad hoc arbitrations, propose an agreement under Section 6 designating an established arbitration centre to manage deposits, hearing rooms, and stenographic transcription to prevent administrative disputes.

Section 6: Administrative assistance

Section 6 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996: Administrative assistance

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 6