Case Name : Vidya Drolia & Ors vs Durga Trading Corporation Case Reference: (2021) 2 SCC 1; (2020) 11 SCR 1001 Case Number: CA No. 2402/2019 Court: Supreme Court Bench: 03 Coram: NV Ramana (concurring), Sanjiv Khanna (Author), Krishna Murari Date: 14.12.2020

On non-arbitrability (implicit non-arbitrability). When expressly prohibited or otherwise. Four-fold test

  1. Cause of action and subject matter of dispute relates to actions in rem; and do not pertain to subordinate rights in personam that arise from rights in rem
  2. Cause of action and subject matter of dispute affects third-party rights, have erga omnes effect
  3. Cause of action and subject matter of the dispute relates to inalienable sovereign and public interest functions of the State
  4. Subject matter of the dispute is expressly or by necessary implication non-arbitrable as per mandatory statutes

Difference between non-arbitrable claim and non-arbitrable subject matter.

Bifurcation of subject matter or causes of action in suit is not permissible.

No provision in A&C Act to compel third persons who have not exercised option to give up right to access to courts to be bound by arbitration clause.

Refer also:

Judgment name

See also: [A&C Act, 1996 - Section 2] A&C Act, 1996 - Section 7 A&C Act, 1996 - Section 8 A&C Act, 1996 - Section 11 A&C Act, 1996 - Section 16

Vidya Drolia vs Durga Trading Corporation, (2020) 11 SCR 1001 1.pdf