Amazon and Future Retail Ltd. expressed their mutual agreement on 4th April’2022, to the Supreme Court, to appear before the Singapore Arbitration Tribunal. The development happened in the special leave petition (SLP) filed by Amazon challenging the Delhi High Court's order which stayed the arbitration proceedings on a challenge made by Future Retail Limited (FRL).
The FRL’s contention ever since has been that it is not covered by the arbitration agreement as Amazon's deal was with Future Coupons Private Ltd (FCPL).
"It is stated and agreed by both the parties that they wish to appear before the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and request that the proceedings, pending adjudication before it, be expedited on the issues agreed upon between them", the order passed by the bench led by the Chief Justice of India recorded.
The hearing has been adjourned to April 6 wherein the parties have been directed to file joint memos.
"It is stated and agreed by both the parties that they wish to appear before the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and request that the proceedings, pending adjudication before it, be expedited on the issues agreed upon between them", the order recorded.
Previously, the Chief Justice of India had urged both the parties to opt for an amicable settlement of their dispute over the FRL's deal with the Reliance group. However, it did not pay heed. Later, Amazon moved an application seeking to restrain Future group alleging that it was handing over its stores to Reliance in violation of the injunction orders passed by the arbitration tribunal.
The bench comprising CJI NV Ramana, Justices Krishan Murari and Hima Kohli did not pass orders on Amazon's injunction application and instead asked it to pursue the matter before the Delhi High Court.
"Please don't take advantage of these proceedings to solve all your problems. You just keep filing and dumping papers on papers", the CJI also added.
"This is a small issue and you are going beyond the issues. Both the sides. You file 30 pages, he files 30 pages, what’s the scope of this litigation? This is on a small issue. This was on small issue of injunction. You just keep filing and dumping papers on papers". CJI Ramana said addressing counsels for both parties.
Senior Advocate Harish Salve appeared for Future Retail Ltd while Senior Advocate Gopal Subramanium appeared for Amazon.
Case Title: Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings LLC vs Future Coupons Private Limited & Ors
