S.B.P. & Co vs Patel Engineering Ltd. & Anr

The Supreme Court clarified the nature of the Chief Justice's function under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, affirming that it is purely administrative and does not involve adjudicating contentious issues between parties, as established in Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. v. Mehul Construction Co. The Court upheld the view that the Chief Justice or nominee's role is limited to appointing arbitrators without engaging in judicial or quasi-judicial functions. The appeals questioning this interpretation were dismissed, reinforcing the existing legal framework.