JUGGILAL KAMLAPAT Vs. GENERAL FIBRE DEALERS LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) I have not found it altogether easy to decide this appeal, but the weight of authority compels me to take the view which I am taking, I would add that having had an opportunity to consider the 'matter more fully since we reserved judgment the day before yesterday, I cannot say that, after all, good sense may not be on the side of that view.

(2.) THE appeal is against an order of S.R. Das Gupta, J., dated 25-5-1953, by which the learned Judge set aside an award in favour of the appellants on the ground that the arbitrators had mis-conducted themselves in proceeding against the respondents ex parte and in refusing to give them a proper opportunity for presenting their case. Such being the scope of the appeal, the dispute which was referred to arbitration is not of much consequence, Nevertheless, the facts may be stated in outline.

(3.) IN the last week of October, on some date which was not given to us, the respondents referred the dispute to the arbitration of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce in accordance with an arbitration clause contained in the contract. On 21-11-1951, the Registrar informed the parties that he had constituted a Court of Arbitration, That Court apparently was unable to enter upon the reference or to complete the work . within the time limited by law and, accordingly, on 24-3-1952, the Registrar informed the parties that he had constituted a second Court to adjudicate on the dispute. Thereafter, on the 3rd April, the Registrar issued a notice to the respondents, informing them that a sitting of the Court would be held on 9-4-1952, and requiring them to produce their evidence at the hearing: The letter or notice concluded by saying that it the respondents failed to appear at the time and the date mentioned, the Court would hear and take into consideration whatever evidence was adduced by the opposite party that is to say, the appellants. Then followed another letter from the Registrar, dated 5-4-1952, by which he informed the parties that instead of the 9th April, the arbitration would be held on 15-4-1952, to which date it had been postponed. That letter or notice referred to the earlier letter of the 3rd April and ended by saying that the parties were required to be present on the fresh date of hearing "in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3 and 4" of the earlier letter.