In defence of Indus Mobile v. Datawind Innovations and Doctrine of Ouster

Payal Chawla Last year, the decision in the matter of Indus Mobile Distribution Pvt. Ltd v. Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. [(2017) 7 SCC 678] was delivered by the Supreme Court. This decision was welcomed from the perspective of bringing quietus to the jurisdiction issue in domestic arbitration, and yet at the same time, criticized inter alia for being in the…

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A balanced Investment Agreement: the key to a successful start-up

Payal Chawla An ideal investment agreement is one that enables a start-up investee company to thrive. The key is finding the right balance of rights and obligations between the investor and the promoter. Overly onerous obligations on the promoter can suffocate the freedom, nimbleness, risk-taking ability and ingenuity required by the promoter to make a…

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Unilateral Appointment of an Arbitrator – A Point of View

Payal Chawla and Hina Shaheen The appointment of an arbitrator by one party to an arbitration agreement has been a vexed issue. The pre-amended Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 (“Act”) permitted such appointments, with certain limited exceptions. That these unilateral appointments have been the cause of much angst and litigation is not in dispute. The…

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If India Inc wants to globalise, it must consider franchising as a serious option

Franchising is a business model that has been effectively leveraged by the West in expansion of business, while splitting the cost and responsibility with the local franchisee. Payal Chawla Franchising is a business model that has been effectively leveraged by the West in expansion of business, while splitting the cost and responsibility with the local…

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“Saving arbitration from arbitration costs”. Is Third Party Funding the answer?

Payal Chawla and Aastha Bhardwaj Originally appeared in Bar & Bench, 19.12.2017 As arbitrations enhance in India, so will arbitration claims and their quantum. There will be a consequent rise in arbitration costs, be it legal fees, arbitrators’ fees, security on costs, and/or costs payable by the unsuccessful party. Arbitral costs can be exorbitant, and…

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