30. Awards.

(1) The Court shall have power in relation to a trade dispute referred to it or in relation to a reference to it under section 20 (3), to make an award (including an interim award) relating to all or any of the issues.

(2) Where the Court is not unanimous on any question or matter to be determined, a decision shall be taken by a majority of members and, if there is no majority decision, by the President or Chairman.

(3) The Court shall make its ward without delay and where practicable within thirty days from the date of reference to it of the trade dispute or of a reference to it under section 20 (3).

(4) In making its award in respect of a trade dispute, the Court shall have regard to the public interest, the financial implications and the effect of the award on the economy of the country, and on the industry concerned and also to the probable effect in related or similar industries.

(5) The Court shall act according to equity, good conscience and the substantial merits of the case without regard to technicalities and legal form.

(5A) In making its award, the Court may take into consideration any agreement or code relating to employment practices between organisations representative of employers and workmen respectively where such agreement or code has been approved by the Minister.

(6) In making its award, the Court shall not be restricted to the specific relief claimed by the parties or to the demands made by the parties in the course of the trade dispute or in the matter of the reference to it under section 20 (3) but may include in the award any matter or thing which it thinks necessary or expedient for the purpose of settling the trade dispute or the reference to it under section 20 (3).

(7) As award may specify the period during which it shall continue in force, and may be retrospective to such date as is specified in the award: Provided that the retrospective date of the award may not, except in the case of a decision of the Court under section 33 or an order of the Court under section 56 (2)(c) or an award of the Court for the reinstatement of a workman on a reference to it in respect of the dismissal of a workman, be earlier than six months from the date on which the dispute was referred to the Court.

(8) The award of the Court shall be signed by the President or the Chairman of any Division or in the event of the President or the Chairman for any reason being unable to sign the award by the remaining members.

(9) The may rectify in any award any clerical error or mistake arising from any accidental slip or omission.