Sudha Sampath was a Consultant at ATB Legal, where she advised on arbitration and commercial disputes under the DIFC and ADGM frameworks. She has more than 15 years of legal practice in India, including appearances before the Supreme Court of India, High Courts and arbitral tribunals.
Construction projects are inherently complex, involving multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and high financial stakes. These factors often lead to claims and disputes which, if not managed properly, can cause costly delays and damage professional relationships. Emotional intelligence (“EI”) plays a pivotal role in transforming how these disputes are addressed and resolved. While the concept of […]
Disputes arising out of real estate transactions have long been a source of frustration for homebuyers, developers, and legal practitioners alike in India. Historically characterized by delayed resolutions, complex litigation, and enforcement challenges, the landscape witnessed a significant regulatory intervention through the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (“RERA”). The introduction of RERA aimed […]
In today’s interconnected global economy, disputes involving international commercial contracts frequently lead to foreign judgments or arbitration awards. For Indian companies entangled in such disputes, understanding the enforceability of these foreign decisions under Indian law, particularly through the National Company Law Tribunal (“NCLT”), is vital. This article unpacks the legal framework, practical considerations, and recent […]
Back-to-back contracts, also known as parallel contracts, play a pivotal role in the Indian construction sector, offering a mechanism for efficient risk allocation and project management among multiple stakeholders. Such contracts consist of two distinct contractual relationships: the first being a contract between the principal and the main contractor, and the second being a separate […]
In the complex arena of construction projects, deadlines extend beyond mere dates; they embody contractual duties, financial stakes, and professional reputations. Among the critical facets of managing such projects is the handling of time claims, commonly known as Extension of Time (“EOT”) requests. These claims, when managed effectively, are vital tools for contractors seeking fair […]
India’s arbitration framework has undergone a significant evolution in the last two decades, driven by a legislative push toward institutionalising arbitration and judicial pronouncements aimed at fostering a pro-arbitration jurisprudence. However, the tension between judicial oversight and arbitral autonomy has remained a persistent concern. The Indian Supreme Court, in a series of landmark decisions, has […]
In its recent judgment in BGM and M-RPL-JMCT (JV) v. Eastern Coalfields Limited[1], dated 18th July 2025, the Supreme Court addressed a recurring legal conundrum in arbitration jurisprudence, whether a clause containing the option to seek arbitration, rather than an unequivocal reference, constitutes an “arbitration agreement” within the meaning of Section 7[2] of the Arbitration […]
In a significant pronouncement of 24th July 2025, the Calcutta High Court in M/s B.B.M. Enterprise v. State of West Bengal[1] reaffirmed the judiciary’s restrained role in arbitral matters under Section 34[2] of the Arbitration Act and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“A&C Act”). The Court set aside the earlier judgment of the trial court[3], which had […]
The recent decision of the Technology and Construction Court (“TCC”) in VMA Services Ltd v Project One London Ltd[1] marks another significant judicial reaffirmation of the principles governing “smash-and-grab” adjudications. It also re-engages with the interplay between the statutory payment regime under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) (the “Act”) and […]
Introduction In a significant reaffirmation of arbitral autonomy and judicial restraint, the Madras High Court in Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board v. SPML Infra Ltd.[1] has once again underscored the limited scope of interference with arbitral awards under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“A & C Act”). At the heart of the […]
Introduction In a landmark decision that brings clarity to the interplay between the Limitation Act, 1963, and the dispute resolution framework under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (“MSMED Act”), the Supreme Court in M/S Sonali Power Equipments Pvt. Ltd. v. Chairman, Maharashtra State Electricity Board & Ors.[1], has definitively ruled on […]
The Delhi High Court’s decision dated 18th July 2025, in the matter of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd v. Precision Technik Pvt Ltd[1], offers a valuable precedent on the interpretation of force majeure clauses in Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”), the scope of Performance Bank Guarantee (“PBG”) encashment, and the limits of judicial intervention under Sections […]