Real estate developers can't force homebuyers to go for arbitration: NCDRC

Many cases were pending in consumer forums because of developers inclusion of arbitration clause

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has provided relief to home buyers who cannot pursue cases against developers due to a conflict in the law concerned.

According to lawyers, many cases were pending in different consumer forums because developers had included a clause that disputes between two parties would be first settled though a private resolution mechanism, also known as arbitration.

The Consumer Protection Act is an additional remedy available to individuals, and it is usually not affected by other Acts in force. 

But in 2015 the Arbitration and Conciliation Act was changed. The new changes said that a