Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 · Chapter V
Section 20: Place of arbitration
(1) The parties are free to agree on the place of arbitration.
(2) Failing any agreement referred to in sub-section (1), the place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the convenience of the parties.
(3) Notwithstanding sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for inspection of documents, goods or other property.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 16 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 20
- Bbr (India) Private Limited v. S.P. Singla Constructions Private Limited
- M/S. Inox Renewables Ltd. v. Jayesh Electricals Ltd.
- Noy Vallesina Engineering Spa, (Now Known As Noy Ambiente S.P.A.) v. Jindal Drugs Limited & Ors.
- Bgs Sgs Soma Jv v. Nhpc Ltd.
- Indus Mobile Distribution Private Limited v. Datawind Innovations Private Limited & Ors.
- Enercon (India) Ltd. & Ors. v. Enercon Gmbh & Anr.
- Bharat Aluminium Co. v. Kaiser Aluminium Technical Service, Inc.