As per case facts, the case arises from a dispute where one party invoked an arbitration agreement and sought the appointment of an arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration ... and Conciliation Act, 1996, but the other party did not cooperate. Previous Supreme Court decisions in Konkan Railway Corporation Limited Versus Mehul Construction Co. and Konkan Railway Corporation Limited & anothers Versus Rani Construction Private limted had held that the Chief Justice's function under Section 11(6) was purely administrative, not judicial, and thus not subject to appeal under Article 136. The correctness of this administrative view was questioned, as it potentially led to further delays and multiple court interventions if preliminary issues like the existence of an arbitration agreement or the Chief Justice's jurisdiction were left unresolved at the initial stage. The question arose as to the true nature of the function performed by the Chief Justice or his designate when appointing an arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, specifically whether it is an administrative or a judicial power. Finally, the Supreme Court clarified that the power exercised by the Chief Justice or his designate under Section 11(6) is a judicial power, not an administrative one, and thus involves adjudicatory functions. This entails deciding preliminary aspects such as their own jurisdiction, the existence of a valid arbitration agreement, whether a live claim subsists, and the qualifications of arbitrators. This decision, when made by a High Court Chief Justice or designated judge, is a judicial order appealable to the Supreme Court under Article 136. If made by the Chief Justice of India or a designated Supreme Court judge, it is final. The Court disapproved of High Courts interfering with arbitral tribunal orders under Articles 226 or 227 during arbitration. It also clarified that Chief Justices cannot designate non-judicial bodies or District Judges for this function, though they can delegate to another judge of the same High Court or Supreme Court respectively. Importantly, the earlier view in Konkan Railway Corporation Limited & another Versus Rani Construction Private limited (2000) was expressly overruled. This ruling aims to ensure credibility, streamline the arbitration process by resolving preliminary issues upfront, and minimize judicial intervention at later stages.