International Commercial Arbitration

Lec1: Introduction & Overview (part 1)

Readings Zhao, Xiu-wen, International Commercial Arbitration Law,

2004, Chapter 1

Redfern & Hunter, Law & Practice of International Commercial

Arbitration, 2005, Chapter 1

Introduction Meaning of Arbitration

Fouchard, Gaillard & Goldman on International Commercial Arbitration:

Arbitration is a device whereby the settlement of a question, which is of interest for two or more persons, is entrusted to one or more other persons – the arbitrator or arbitrators – who derive their powers from a private agreement, not from the authorities of a State, and who are proceed and decide the case on the basis of such an agreement. (France)

Introduction Meaning of Arbitration

Fouchard, Gaillard & Goldman on International Commercial Arbitration:

a private method of settling disputes, based on the agreement between the parties. Its main characteristic is that it involves submitting the dispute to individuals chosen, directly or indirectly, by the parties. In international arbitration, this definition is preferable to the negative definition found in domestic law, according to which the principle characteristic of arbitration is the fact that the dispute is removed from the jurisdiction of the courts.

Introduction Meaning of Arbitration

Law & Practice of International Commercial Arbitration

two or more parties faced with a dispute which they cannot resolve themselves, agreeing that some private individual will resolve it for them and if the arbitration runs its full course… it will not be settle by a compromise, but by a decision.

Introduction Doctrinal Basis of Arbitration

Party autonomy

Agreement to arbitrate Selection of arbitrator(s) Autonomy in arbitral proceedings

Introduction Fundamental Features of Arbitration

An alternative to national court

A Private mechanism for dispute resolution

Selected and controlled by the parties

Final and binding determination of parties’ rights and obligations

Introduction History of Arbitration

Arbitration of antiquity

The Baltic Exchange

Modern arbitration

Introduction Relationship between Arbitration and Courts

Supporting role

Supervising role

Introduction International Conventions

Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of States 1965 or ICSID Convention or Washington Convention

Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 (The New York Convention 1958)

Introduction UNCITRAL Model Law on International

Commercial Arbitration

UNCITRAL Model Rules on International Commercial Arbitration

Introduction Meaning of International

UNCITAL Model Law:

An arbitration is international if:  

Introduction (a) the parties to an arbitration agreement have,

at the time of the conclusion of that agreement, their places of business in different States; or

Introduction (b) one of the following places is situated outside the

State in which the parties have their places of business:

 (i) the place of arbitration if determined in, or

pursuant to, the arbitration agreement;  (ii) any place where a substantial part of the

obligations of the commercial relationship is to be performed or the place with which the subject-matter of the dispute is most closely connected; or

Introduction (c) the parties have expressly agreed that the

subject-matter of

(i) In the interpretation of this Law, regard is to be

had to its international origin and to the need to promote uniformity in its application and the observance of good faith.

 (ii) Questions concerning matters governed by this

Law the arbitration agreement relates to more than one country.

Introduction Meaning of International

New York Convention:

This Convention shall apply to the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards made in the territory of a State other than the State where the recognition and enforcement of such awards are sought, and arising out of differences between persons, whether physical or legal. It shall also apply to arbitral awards not considered as domestic awards in the State where their recognition and enforcement are sought.

Introduction Meaning of Commercial

UNCITAL Model Law:

The term "commercial" should be given a wide interpretation so as to cover matters arising from all relationships of a commercial nature, whether contractual or not. Relationships of a commercial nature include, but are not limited to, the following transactions: any trade transaction for the supply or exchange of goods or services; distribution agreement; commercial representation or agency; factoring; leasing; construction of works; consulting; engineering; licensing; investment; financing; banking; insurance; exploitation agreement or concession; joint venture and other forms of industrial or business co-operation; carriage of goods or passengers by air, sea, rail or road.

Overview of Arbitral Process Arbitration agreement Dispute Reference to arbitration Constituting arbitral tribunal Settling the schedule Hearings Award Enforcement/Challenge

Forms of Arbitration Ad hoc Arbitration Advantages & disadvantages

Institutional Arbitration Advantages & disadvantages

International Arbitration Institutions

Private international institutions Local institutions Regional institutions Others

Industry focused and commodity institutions