Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Court

(1) From the date of constitution of the Tribunal, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Arbitration Act, 1940 (10 of 1940) or any other law for the time being in force or any contract or custom to the Civil Court, the jurisdiction of any Civil Court may be barred in respect of matters under this Act to be decided by the Tribunal. (1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Civil Court may entertain and decide any dispute of the nature specified in the said sub-section, which is referred by a person in the capacity of an indigent person. Explanation—For the purpose of this sub-section, "indigent person" shall have the same meaning as given to it in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908). (2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply to any arbitration proceedings which are pending before an arbitrator or umpire or any court or authority under the provisions of the Arbitration Act or any other law relating to arbitration, and such proceedings may be continued, heard and decided at all their stages in accordance with the contract or custom or the provisions of the Arbitration Act or any other law relating to arbitration as if this Act had not been in force.