ISSUE:
Whether an arbitral award devoid of a date on it along with lack of reasons behind a missing signature of one of the arbitrators on the award violation Section 31 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, thus rendering the arbitral award invalid?
RULE:
An arbitral award passed by an arbitral tribunal must mention the reasons behind the award, requires signatures of all arbitrators and reasons behind lack of an arbitrator’s signature under Section 31 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
An arbitral award can be set aside under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, if it goes against the provisions of Part 1, including Section 31.