In a notable clarification of removal and arbitration procedure, the Fifth Circuit in Odom Industries, Inc. v. Sipcam Agro Solutions, LLC, No. 24-60410 (5th Cir. June 4, 2025), held that a defendant may remove a case to federal court to compel arbitration—even when a contractual forum-selection clause requires remand—as long as federal jurisdiction exists.

Ordinarily, motions to remand are evaluated on jurisdictional grounds. If a federal court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction (typically due to lack of diversity […]

In a recent ruling in Gayatri Balaswamy vs. M/S. ISG Novasoft Technologies Ltd[1], a Constitution Bench of five judges of the Supreme Court considered a reference made by a three-judge Bench to determine whether a court has the authority to modify an arbitral award under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. By a 4:1 majority, the Bench, headed by the Chief Justice, held that while such modification is not generally permitted, […]