Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, where, without showing sufficient cause,-
(a) the claimant fails to communicate his statement of claim in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 23, the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings;
(b) the respondent fails to communicate his statement of defence in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 23, the arbitral tribunal shall continue the proceedings without treating that failure in itself as an admission of the allegations by the claimant 1[and shall have the discretion to treat the right of the respondent to file such statement of defence as having been forfeited].
(c) a party fails to appear at an oral hearing or to produce documentary evidence, the arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings and make the arbitral award on the evidence before it.
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1. Ins. by s. 13, ibid. (w.e.f. 23-10-2015).
Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996
Section 21 of Arbitration Act - Commencement of arbitral proceedings
Section 22 of Arbitration Act - Language
Section 23 of Arbitration Act - Statements of claim and defence
Section 24 of Arbitration Act - Hearings and written proceedings
Section 25 of Arbitration Act - Default of a party
Section 26 of Arbitration Act - Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal
Section 27 of Arbitration Act - Court assistance in taking evidence
Section 28 of Arbitration Act - Rules applicable to substance of dispute
Section 29 of Arbitration Act - Decision making by panel of arbitrators
Section 29A of Arbitration Act - Time limit for arbitral award
Section 29B of Arbitration Act - Fast track procedure
Section 30 of Arbitration Act - Settlement