Single Partner in a Firm Cannot Invoke Arbitration Without Explicit Authority from Other Partners: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has clarified an important legal principle concerning partnership firms and arbitration. Justice S. Manu held that one partner of a partnership firm cannot independently invoke an arbitration clause or seek appointment of an arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 without the explicit authorisation of the other partner or partners. This ruling came while deciding an arbitration request filed by a partner…