Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation · Emerging Aspects: Fast Track and Virtual Arbitration

Fast Track Procedure under Section 29B of the Arbitration Act

Updated 11 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Section 29B lets parties agree in writing, before or at the time the tribunal is appointed, to resolve a dispute by fast track procedure. The tribunal decides mainly on written pleadings and documents, without oral hearing, and must make the award within six months of entering upon the reference.

Understand Fast Track Procedure under Section 29B

Normal arbitration can be slow. Pleadings, oral hearings and evidence take time. Section 29B gives parties an optional shortcut. It works only if they choose it.

The choice must be made in writing. The parties can make it at any stage either before or at the time of appointment of the tribunal. So it can sit in the arbitration clause itself, or be agreed later by a separate document, but not after the tribunal has been appointed. The section begins with "notwithstanding anything contained in this Act", so its procedure overrides the usual rules where they conflict.

The parties may also agree that the tribunal will be a sole arbitrator chosen by the parties. This is an option, not a compulsory feature. Note that the sole arbitrator is chosen by the parties, not imposed on them.

The procedure is document-based. The tribunal decides on written pleadings, documents and submissions, and can call for more information or clarification. An oral hearing is the exception: it may be held only if all parties request it, or if the tribunal considers it necessary to clarify certain issues. If a hearing is held, the tribunal may dispense with technical formalities and follow whatever procedure is suitable for quick disposal.

The award must be made within six months from the date the tribunal enters upon the reference. If it is not, sub-sections (3) to (9) of section 29A apply. These deal with extension by consent or by Court, termination of the mandate, fee reduction, substitution of arbitrators and costs. The arbitrator's fees are whatever the arbitrator and the parties agree, including how they are paid.

Key rules to remember

Agreement to use fast track: Parties agree in writing, at any stage before or at the time of appointment of the tribunal; Section 29B(1). Without a written agreement, fast track does not apply.
Sole arbitrator option: Parties may agree on a sole arbitrator chosen by the parties; Section 29B(2). It is permissive: 'may agree'.
Procedure: Decision on written pleadings, documents and submissions; no oral hearing as the default; Section 29B(3)(a). The tribunal may call for further information or clarification under (3)(b).
When oral hearing is allowed: Only if all parties request it OR the tribunal considers it necessary to clarify certain issues; Section 29B(3)(c). A request by just one party is not enough.
Formalities at hearing: Tribunal may dispense with technical formalities and adopt procedure for expeditious disposal; Section 29B(3)(d). Applies if an oral hearing is held.
Time limit: Award within 6 months from the date the tribunal enters upon the reference; Section 29B(4). Counted from entering upon the reference, not from completion of pleadings.
Consequence of delay: If award is late, section 29A(3) to (9) applies; Section 29B(5). Covers extension by consent (up to a further six months), Court extension, termination of mandate, fee reduction, substitution and costs.
Fees: As agreed between the arbitrator and the parties, including manner of payment; Section 29B(6).

How to solve Fast Track Procedure under Section 29B questions

For any question on fast track arbitration, first check whether section 29B was validly invoked, then apply its procedure and time limit to the facts.

1Identify the facts: is there an arbitration agreement, and did the parties agree to fast track?
2Check the form and timing of the fast track agreement: it must be in writing and made before or at the time of appointment of the tribunal.
3Check the tribunal: a sole arbitrator is possible if the parties agreed, and the parties choose that arbitrator.
4Apply the procedure: written pleadings and documents, power to seek further information, and oral hearing only on request of all parties or if the tribunal thinks it necessary.
5Apply the time limit: six months from the date the tribunal entered upon the reference. Work out the date from the facts.
6If the award is late, apply section 29A(3) to (9): extension by consent or Court, termination of mandate, fee reduction, substitution, costs.
7Deal with fees if asked: they are as agreed between arbitrator and parties.
8Conclude clearly, stating the section and the answer to the question asked.

Quickest way: Five-point fast track checklist

When to use it: When a short case question asks whether a fast track procedure was properly followed, or what the tribunal must or may do.

Writing and timing: agreement in writing, before or at appointment.
Tribunal: sole arbitrator only if parties agreed.
Hearing: documents by default; oral hearing needs all parties' request or tribunal's view that it is necessary.
Clock: six months from entering upon the reference.
Delay: section 29A(3) to (9) applies; fees are by agreement.

Common mistakes in Fast Track Procedure under Section 29B

Saying a fast track agreement can be made at any time, even after the tribunal is appointed.
Students remember 'at any stage' and forget the limit that follows.
Fix: Remember the full phrase: at any stage either before or at the time of appointment of the arbitral tribunal.
Stating that fast track requires a sole arbitrator.
Fast track and sole arbitrator are usually taught together.
Fix: Section 29B(2) says parties 'may agree' on a sole arbitrator. It is an option.
Saying oral hearing is completely barred, or that one party's request is enough.
Students over-simplify 'without any oral hearing'.
Fix: Oral hearing may be held only if all parties request it or the tribunal considers it necessary to clarify certain issues.
Counting the six months from completion of pleadings.
Confusion with the twelve-month rule in section 29A(1).
Fix: Under section 29B(4) the six months run from the date the tribunal enters upon the reference.
Thinking the mandate ends automatically or that the Court has no role once six months pass.
Students miss the link to section 29A.
Fix: Section 29B(5) applies section 29A(3) to (9). The mandate terminates unless the period is extended, and the Court can extend it for sufficient cause.
Saying the arbitrator's fees are fixed by the tribunal or by a schedule.
Students mix this with the Fourth Schedule idea or with normal tribunal fee-fixing.
Fix: Section 29B(6): fees and manner of payment are as agreed between the arbitrator and the parties.

Worked examples

Example 1

Alpha Textiles Ltd and Bharat Dyes Pvt Ltd have a dispute under a supply contract. Before any arbitrator is appointed, they sign a written agreement to use the fast track procedure and name Mr. Rao as sole arbitrator. Mr. Rao enters upon the reference on 1 March. Alpha asks for an oral hearing; Bharat objects. Can Mr. Rao refuse the hearing, and by when should the award be made?

Show the solution

Provision: section 29B allows parties to agree in writing, before or at the time of appointment, to fast track, and to agree on a sole arbitrator chosen by them.
Facts: the agreement was in writing and made before appointment, so section 29B is validly invoked. A sole arbitrator chosen by the parties is permitted.
Hearing: under section 29B(3)(a) the tribunal decides on written pleadings, documents and submissions. Under 29B(3)(c) an oral hearing may be held only if all parties request it or the tribunal considers it necessary to clarify certain issues.
Here only Alpha requests it and Bharat objects, so the all-parties condition is not met. The hearing can still be held if Mr. Rao considers it necessary to clarify certain issues.
Time: the award must be made within six months from the date he entered upon the reference, that is, by 1 September.
Delay: if not made by then, section 29A(3) to (9) apply.

Answer: Mr. Rao need not hold an oral hearing merely because Alpha asks, since Bharat objects. He may hold one only if he considers it necessary to clarify issues. The award is due within six months of 1 March, that is by 1 September, failing which section 29A(3) to (9) apply.

Example 2

Kaveri Infra Ltd and Sundaram Steels Ltd agreed in writing for fast track arbitration. The award was not made within six months. Neither party wants to go to Court. What can they do, and what happens if nothing is done?

Show the solution

Provision: section 29B(5) says that if the award is not made within six months, sub-sections (3) to (9) of section 29A apply.
Consent route: under section 29A(3) the parties may, by consent, extend the period for a further period not exceeding six months.
Default: if the award is not made within the period or the extended period, section 29A(4) says the mandate of the arbitrator terminates, unless the Court has extended the period before or after expiry.
Court route: on application of a party, the Court may extend only for sufficient cause and on terms it imposes (section 29A(5)). It may substitute arbitrators and may reduce fees by up to five per cent for each month of delay attributable to the tribunal, after hearing the arbitrator.
Conclusion for the facts: since the parties do not want the Court route, they should agree by consent to extend, for not more than six months.

Answer: They can extend the time by consent for a further period of up to six months under section 29A(3), applied by section 29B(5). If nothing is done and no extension is obtained, the arbitrator's mandate terminates under section 29A(4), unless the Court extends the period.

Exam tips

Quote section 29B and its sub-section numbers. Examiners reward precise references such as 29B(4) for the six months and 29B(5) for delay.
In case questions, check the timing of the fast track agreement first. A late agreement is a common trap.
For a comparison question, set out regular versus fast track on points: agreement, tribunal, hearing, time limit and fees.
Always link delay to section 29A(3) to (9) and list what it covers. This shows you understand the consequence, not just the period.
Keep the sole arbitrator point as 'may', and the oral hearing point as 'only if all parties request or tribunal considers necessary'.

Practice questions from Emerging Aspects: Fast Track and Virtual Arbitration

Fast Track Procedure under Section 29B in other exams

The same ground in other exams, if you are preparing for more than one or want another angle on it.

CMA FinalFast Track Merger (Section 233)

Fast Track Procedure under Section 29B: frequently asked questions

What is the time limit for an award under section 29B?

The award must be made within six months from the date the arbitral tribunal enters upon the reference. If it is late, sub-sections (3) to (9) of section 29A apply.

Is an oral hearing allowed in fast track arbitration?

The default is a decision on written pleadings, documents and submissions. An oral hearing may be held only if all the parties request it or the tribunal considers it necessary to clarify certain issues.

Is a sole arbitrator compulsory in fast track arbitration?

No. Section 29B(2) says the parties may agree that the tribunal consists of a sole arbitrator chosen by them. It is their option.

How is the arbitrator paid in fast track arbitration?

The fees and the manner of payment are as agreed between the arbitrator and the parties, under section 29B(6).

How does fast track arbitration differ from regular arbitration?

Fast track needs a written agreement made before or at appointment of the tribunal. It uses a document-based procedure with oral hearing only in limited cases, and a six-month award period. Regular arbitration under section 29A has a twelve-month period from completion of pleadings in domestic cases.