An Arbitral Tribunal is a body established to resolve disputes between parties through arbitration, as provided under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. It may consist of a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators, appointed either as per the parties' agreement or by a competent authority in case of disputes over appointment. The tribunal is empowered to determine its own jurisdiction and adjudicate both substantive and procedural matters while ensuring fairness and efficiency. Its decisions, known as "awards," are binding on the parties, and its functioning is based on principles of independence, impartiality, and natural justice.
Sime Darby Engg. SDN. BHD. v. Engineers India Ltd., (2009) 7 SCC 545 at page 549
21. The Arbitral Tribunal as defined under Section 2(1)(d) of the Act means “a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators”. Section 10(2) of the Act is very relevant in order to resolve the controversy in this case inasmuch as Section 10(2) makes it very clear where the number of arbitrators is not determined, the Arbitral Tribunal shall consist of a sole arbitrator. In this connection if the UNCITRAL Rules are referred the position will remain the same. The UNCITRAL Model Law on international commercial arbitration also accepts the same definition of Arbitral Tribunal in Article 2(b). Article 10 of those Rules is almost identical with Section 10 of the said Act.