law: Arbitration Act 1940
  Section 8
  Power of Refer Parties to Arbitration where there is an Arbitration Agreement.
  (1) A judicial authority before which an
  
  action is brought in a matter which is the subject of an arbitration agreement
  
  shall, if a party so applies not later than when submitting his first statement
  
  on the substance of the dispute, refer the parties to arbitration.
  (2) The application referred to in sub-section
  
  (1) shall not be entertained unless it is accompanied by the original
  
  arbitration agreement or a duly certified copy thereof.
  (3) Notwithstanding that an application has
  
  been made under sub-section (1) and that the issue is pending before the
  
  judicial authority, an arbitration may be commenced or continued and an
  
  arbitral award made.