New Delhi, Jan. 13 -- The Supreme Court affirmed a Bombay High Court order appointing an arbitrator in a dispute stemming from a leave and licence agreement for Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited's office premises in Malad, Mumbai, holding that a valid arbitration agreement existed between the parties.

Limited Scope of Court's Inquiry Under Section 11

A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan ruled that the High Court was right in allowing the licensor's application and appointing a sole arbitrator, noting that at the Section 11(6A) stage, the court's scrutiny is limited to determining whether an arbitration agreement exists under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

The Court dismissed objecti...