01Who needs an arbitration lawyer in Pune
Arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 resolves commercial disputes before a tribunal rather than a court, where the contract contains an arbitration clause. Interim relief is available from the court under Section 9 before or during proceedings, and an award is challengeable only on the narrow grounds in Section 34.
The first thing we read is the clause. Whether it is a valid arbitration agreement, what it says about seat, venue, number of arbitrators and appointment mechanism, decides most of what follows — including whether you are in arbitration at all. A surprising number of clauses we are shown are unworkable, and knowing that before you invoke is considerably better than discovering it afterwards.
Commercial disputes
Supply, distribution, construction, shareholder and joint-venture disputes referred to arbitration under the contract.
How it worksSection 9 interim relief
Urgent court relief to preserve assets or the subject matter, before or during the arbitration.
How it worksAppointment & conduct
Appointment of the tribunal, pleadings, evidence and hearings through to the award.
How it worksChallenge & enforcement
Section 34 challenges on the limited statutory grounds, and enforcement of an award as a decree.
How it works02How an arbitration proceeds
A domestic arbitration generally moves through these stages:
The clause & notice
The arbitration agreement is reviewed and a notice invoking it is issued, proposing an arbitrator in accordance with the clause.
1–3 weeksAppointment & interim relief
The tribunal is constituted, by agreement or by court appointment. Section 9 relief is sought where assets are at risk.
1–3 monthsPleadings & evidence
Statement of claim, defence and counterclaim, followed by documents and evidence. The timetable is set by the tribunal.
6–12 monthsAward & enforcement
The award is made and, absent a successful challenge, enforced as a decree of the court.
Case-dependent03Documents required to commence arbitration
Checklist — Arbitration
- The contract containing the arbitration clause
- All correspondence relating to the dispute
- Invoices, purchase orders and delivery records
- Accounts and statements evidencing the claim
- Any prior notice issued or received
- Details of the other party's assets, where interim relief may be needed
04How long arbitration takes
A domestic arbitration commonly runs twelve to twenty-four months from invocation to award, and the Act sets timelines intended to keep it there. Section 9 interim relief is available far faster — weeks rather than months — and is usually the urgent step. A Section 34 challenge adds a further one to two years, which is worth weighing before treating arbitration as the quick option.
05Common mistakes in arbitration
- Invoking without reading the clauseSeat, venue, appointment mechanism and scope all sit in it. Invoking contrary to the clause invites a jurisdictional objection that costs months.
- Delaying interim reliefWhere assets are being moved, Section 9 relief should be sought immediately. Freezing an asset is far easier than recovering a dissipated one.
- Treating the award as the endAn award still has to be enforced, and the losing party may challenge it. Plan the enforcement route before the award, not after.
- Assuming arbitration is always cheaperTribunal fees, venue and expert costs are borne by the parties. It is usually faster than a suit; it is not always cheaper.
06Arbitration lawyer fees in Pune
Every engagement begins with a written understanding of the fee structure — consultation, drafting, appearances — before any work starts. We will tell you plainly at the first meeting what your matter involves, and you will never see a charge we did not explain.
What happens at your first consultation
- You talk, we listen. Bring whatever papers you have, organised or not. There is no form to fill and nothing to prepare.
- We tell you where you stand — including the weaknesses in your position. An advocate who only tells you good news is not advising you.
- You get options, not pressure. Sometimes the honest answer is that you do not need to file anything yet.
- Fees in writing before any work begins, so no invoice ever surprises you.
Everything you say is privileged, whether or not you engage the firm. Consultations are held in Marathi, Hindi or English — in person at Kasba Peth, or over video.
Adv. Indrajit Dongre
Leads this practice, appearing before Pune's courts since 1998. Commercial matters are handled by Adv. Indrajit Dongre with the firm's corporate team.