'Only British courts can hear London gas arbitration award'

New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) The Supreme Court Wednesday ruled that only British courts can hear a petition that challenges the decision of a London arbitration tribunal on Panna-Mukta and Tapti gas fields' contract between Reliance Industries and the government.

The apex court bench of Justice S.S. Nijjar and Justice A.K. Sikri said that the British courts, while hearing the petition challenging the award by the arbitration tribunal, will rely on the substantive Indian laws relating to it.

The court said this while setting aside the Delhi High Court order that said it can hear such a challenge on an award made by the London arbitration tribunal. Reliance had moved the Supreme Court against this decision of the high court.