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13. In V.H. Patel & Company and Ors., Appellants v. Hirubhai Hmabhai Patel and Ors., Respondent, reported in (2000) 4 SCC 368, the Supreme Court in para 12 held as follows :

"12. So far as the power of the arbitrator to dissolve the partnership is concerned, the law is clear that where there is a clause in the articles of partnership, or agreement or order referring all the matters in difference between the partners to arbitration, the arbitrator has power to decide whether or not the partnership shall be dissolved and to award its dissolution. (See Phoenix v. Pope 8). Power of the arbitrator will primarily depend upon the arbitration clause and the reference made by the court to it. If under the terms of the reference all disputes and difference arising between the parties have been referred to arbitration, the arbitration will, in general, be able to deal with all matters, including dissolution. There is no principle of law or any provision which bars an arbitrator to examine such a question. Although the learned counsel for the petitioner relied upon a passage of Pollock & Mulla, quoted earlier, that passage is only confined to the inherent powers of the court as to whether dissolution of partnership is just and equitable, but we have demonstrated in the course of our order that it is permissible for the court to refer to arbitration, a dispute in relation to dissolution as well on grounds such as destruction of mutual trust and confidence between the partners which is the foundation therefor."