2. How arbitration works

Author(s):  
Thomas Schultz ◽  
Thomas Grant

This chapter explains how arbitration works in practice. Arbitration takes place if and only if parties have consented to it. Their consent needs to make clear how, specifically, arbitration is going to work for them. Parties in some situations may use courts and through them the executive apparatus to assist in arbitral proceedings. Under most arbitration agreements, once the arbitrator or arbitral tribunal has given the final arbitral award, arbitral jurisdiction comes to an end, and so there is no place for a party to turn to appeal against an adverse award. However, a losing party nevertheless may have opportunities to challenge an award, including in proceedings in national courts.

Author(s):  
Alex Mills

This chapter examines the concept and source of arbitral jurisdiction. In the context of arbitration, the term ‘jurisdiction’ typically refers to the ‘power’ or ‘authority’ of the arbitral tribunal to decide a dispute. A decision about whether a tribunal has jurisdiction will frequently be made by the tribunal itself, but that decision is not and cannot be a source of its jurisdiction, and cannot be a definitive determination of that jurisdiction, because the authority of that decision depends on the very question under review. A degree of deference may be given to the tribunal’s determination of these questions by national courts, but self-evidently a tribunal may not confer authority on itself. Thus, the ‘power’ of a tribunal comes more indirectly from two sources. First, the cooperation of national courts, which may readily recognize and enforce arbitral awards and may also act in support of arbitration in various other ways. Second, the potential reputational consequences of non-compliance with an arbitral award, which may lead a party to comply with it voluntarily. The legal framework for arbitration applied by most national courts is set out in the New York Convention 1958, and this remains a key basic source of the standards which are applied to determine when an arbitral tribunal is considered to have jurisdiction.


1999 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 975-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Kennett

A number of issues relating to the finality of arbitration awards in the face of arguments based on public and fraud were addressed by the Court of Appeal in Westacre Investments Inc. v. Jugoimport—SDRP Holding Co. Ltd.20 The claimant had obtained an arbitration award in its favour in Switzerland which it was seeking to enforce in England. The dispute referred to arbitration concerned a claim for payment of commission. The commission was due under a contract through which the claimant assisted the defendant to obtain a contract for the supply of military equipment to Kuwait. It was alleged in the English proceedings that this contract was invalid since the commission payment in fact amounted to a bribe to a member of the Kuwaiti government. The issue of bribery had been raised before the Swiss arbitral tribunal, but the majority of the tribunal found that they were not required to investigate this issue if the parties led no evidence to prove that it had taken place. The contract between the parties was therefore found valid and binding. An appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal was lodged by the defendant for an annulment of the arbitral award. The Federal Tribunal concluded that the nature of its competence to review arbitral proceedings required it to base its decision on the facts found by the Tribunal. It therefore confirmed the award. The defendants then tried to raise the same bribery issue in the enforcement proceedings in England.


Author(s):  
Wolff Reinmar

This concluding chapter examines the arbitral award given at the outcome of the arbitration proceedings. It describes the different ways German arbitration law resolves the dispute — by decision of the arbitral tribunal and by settlement of the parties — and the rules which the arbitral tribunal applies when deciding on the merits and costs. Traditionally, arbitration is characterized by, on the one hand, largely flexible arbitral proceedings and, on the other hand, an outcome, the award that not only is tantamount to a state court judgment but also is equipped with restricted remedies and facilitated means of enforcement both domestically and internationally. In conformity with German court tradition, arbitral tribunals in Germany often encourage the parties to consider making a settlement. To facilitate enforcement of the terms of any such settlement, it may be recorded by the arbitral tribunal in the form of an award on agreed terms.


Author(s):  
Baumann Antje

This chapter discusses the arbitration rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). It begins with a background on the ICC International Court of Arbitration, with emphasis on its role in the development of international commercial arbitration. It then examines the 2017 ICC Arbitration Rules, citing some relevant figures related to ICC arbitration for the year 2017, including the number of parties involved in cases, the arbitral tribunals, and awards rendered by arbitral tribunals. Figures on other ICC dispute resolution rules are also given. The chapter concludes with a commentary of Articles 1–42 of the ICC Arbitration Rules, which cover topics such as definitions; time limits for written notifications or communications; request for arbitration and the respondent’s counterclaims to such a request; effect of the arbitration agreement; constitution of the arbitral tribunal; appointment, confirmation, challenge, and replacement of arbitrators; and rules of law applicable to the arbitral proceedings.


Author(s):  
Gusy Martin F ◽  
Hosking James M

This chapter looks at Article 10 of the ICDR Rules. Both the arbitral tribunal and the parties to an arbitration must communicate in an effective and pre-agreed manner to ensure the smooth conduct of arbitral proceedings. Article 10(1) addresses the practicalities regarding notification of all communications between the parties. Notably, it addresses the variety of forms of modern communication, paying particular attention to forms of electronic communication. Likewise, Article 10(1) is drafted in sufficiently broad terminology that permits the parties and the tribunal to communicate in a variety of ways. Meanwhile, Article 10(2) provides the framework for calculating periods of time and time limits under the Rules. By specifically defining when notice periods begin to run, and anticipating holiday and other interruptions, Article 10(2) pre-empts possible dilatory tactics and sets the parties’ expectations for prompt notification, service of documents, and other communications that are essential to the timely and effective functioning of an arbitration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-108
Author(s):  
Reyadh Mohamed Seyadi

Abstract One significant feature of arbitration that distinguishes it from litigation in national courts, is the parties’ freedom to select the arbitrator or members of the arbitral tribunal familiar with the kind of dispute that might arise or already has arisen. In 2012, a new arbitration law was issued in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) inspired by the texts of the Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. In all its provisions it included the requirement not to violate Sharīʿah law (Islamic legal tradition). However, according to this law, the sole arbitrator or presiding arbitrator must hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Sharīʿah law degree. This provision is mandatory, and the parties cannot agree otherwise. This article seeks to provide some thoughts on this restriction through an analysis of arbitrator qualifications under Sharīʿah law in order to provide a better understanding of the position adopted by the KSA Arbitration Law.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-472
Author(s):  
Rania Alnaber

Abstract Effectiveness of emergency arbitration is a disputable question, which was touched by several commentators since it was first introduced in 2006. Concerns have been raised in relation to the enforceability of emergency reliefs under the New York Convention and the risk of concurrent jurisdiction between emergency arbitrators and national courts in granting interim measures prior to the constitution of the arbitral tribunal. A more specific concern is related to the suitability of introducing this mechanism, to investment arbitration. This article argues that adopting an international instrument for enforcing emergency reliefs will be the best solution. As for investment arbitration, emergency arbitrators are no less important in this type of arbitration than in commercial arbitration. However, certain features of emergency arbitration shall be tailored to meet the distinct nature of investment cases. Although certain amendments are needed to enhance the effectiveness of this relatively new mechanism, the future of emergency arbitrator is still optimistic. Therefore, to avoid any duplication of fora, courts are expected to respect emergency arbitrator's jurisdiction and only intervene when the latter is not capable of granting a relief.


Author(s):  
Blackaby Nigel ◽  
Partasides Constantine ◽  
Redfern Alan ◽  
Hunter Martin

This chapter examines the role that national courts play at the beginning, during, and end of arbitration proceedings. Arbitration is dependent on the support of the courts, which alone have the power to intercede when one party seeks to sabotage proceedings. This intervention may be possible at the beginning of the arbitral process in the context of the enforcement of the arbitration agreement, the establishment of the tribunal, and challenges to jurisdiction. National courts may also intervene during proceedings: it may be necessary for the arbitral tribunal or a national court to issue orders intended to preserve evidence, to protect assets, or in some other way to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the arbitration. Under the UNCITRAL Rules and Model Law, such orders are called ‘interim measures’. The chapter also describes how national courts exercise judicial control over the resulting award.


Author(s):  
Moser Michael ◽  
Bao Chiann

This chapter addresses a number of key procedural steps and principles in an HKIAC arbitration. It begins with a discussion of the general principles governing the conduct of proceedings, followed by rules concerning the seat and venue of the arbitration and the language of the arbitration. The chapter then analyses the filing of and amendment to the parties’ written submissions. Next, the chapter discusses the arbitral tribunal’s authority to rule on its own jurisdiction as well as HKIAC’s prima facie power to proceed with an arbitration. The remainder of the chapter covers evidentiary matters and hearings, experts appointed by the arbitral tribunal, non-participation of a party in the arbitral proceedings, closure of the proceedings, and the waiver of a party’s right to object.


Author(s):  
Blackaby Nigel ◽  
Partasides Constantine ◽  
Redfern Alan ◽  
Hunter Martin

This chapter outlines the conduct of the tribunal and the parties during arbitration proceedings. In general, an arbitral tribunal must conduct the arbitration in accordance with the procedure agreed by the parties. If it fails to do so, the award may be set aside, or refused recognition and enforcement. However, the freedom of the parties to dictate the procedure to be followed in an international arbitration is not unrestricted. The procedure must comply with any mandatory rules and public policy requirements of the law of the juridical seat of the arbitration. It must also take into account the provisions of the international rules on arbitration, such as those of the ICC, which aim to ensure that arbitral proceedings are conducted fairly. Accordingly, a balance must be struck between the parties’ wishes concerning the procedure to be followed and any overriding requirements of the legal regime that governs the arbitration.


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