Bias Challenges In International Commercial Arbitration

Shows how 'dirty' challenge tactics are made viable primarily by the prevalence of a judicially derived test for bias which focuses on appearances, rather than facts and He argues that the most commonly used test of bias, the 'reasonable apprehension' test, makes it easy to allege a lack of impartiality and independence.

The agreement of disputing parties to each make a unilateral appointment of an arbitrator is among the most distinctive features of arbitral practice. A detailed examination, long overdue, of how this feature affects the actual process of arbitration is presented in this book. The study includes a historical analysis of unilateral nominations, a critical assessment of how the unilateral appointments system currently works and an empirical study of challenges of arbitrators. The author's critical assessment addresses several issues including: - limits to the right of the parties to make unilateral appointments; - the principle of equality of the parties in the constitution of the arbitral tribunal; - arbitrators’ duty to be impartial and independent; - specific problems of bias in tribunals with party-appointed members; - the question of whether a different standard of impartiality and independence in party-appointed arbitrators makes any sense; - the presumption that party-appointed arbitrators can do things that presiding arbitrators cannot; and - the question of whether it is worth keeping the system of unilateral appointments as the default method for the constitution of multiple-member tribunals, or keeping it at all. The empirical study, in which the author offers a comparative analysis of challenges of arbitrators taking into account the method of appointment of the arbitrator, reveals interesting differences and coincidences between party-appointed and non-party-appointed arbitrators. The book ends with some suggestions on how the system of unilateral appointments could be improved, namely in order to increase the trust of each party in the arbitrator appointed by the other party and to allow an accurate match between what arbitration end-users may want from party-appointed arbitrators and what they ultimately get. For both its thorough and well-informed analysis and its sound recommendations, the book is sure to be welcomed by professionals in the arbitral community worldwide, as well as by arbitration law academics.

Most books on international commercial arbitration approach the subject through legal theory supported by anecdotal evidence. This remarkable book is distinguished by its focus on the application of quantitative empirical research to the study of international arbitration. It collects, together with commentary, the existing empirical literature on the subject, and also presents several studies published here for the first time. Beginning with a basic overview of the methods of empirical research (surveys, observational studies, experimental studies), the book goes on to reprint the existing empirical studies under six headings: why parties agree to arbitrate; arbitration clauses; arbitral procedures; arbitrator selection; rules of decision and applicable law; and, arbitration awards. Written in an easily accessible, non-technical manner, Towards a Science of International Arbitration provides the starting point for future empirical research on international arbitration by collecting the existing empirical literature in one place and by suggesting possible topics for research. It will be of inestimable value to lawyers and others involved in international dispute resolution, whether as arbitrators, parties, party representatives, or in-house counsel, as well as to academics interested in methods of resolving disputes in international commerce.

"This important book will be of great interest to arbitration lawyers, international lawyers and business people, as well as to academics, libraries, and students of dispute resolution."--Publisher's website.

It is increasingly held that international commercial arbitration is becoming colonized by litigation. This book addresses, in a range of ways and from various locations and sites, those aspects of arbitration practice that are considered crucial for its integrity as an institution and its independence as a professional practice. The chapters offer multiple perspectives on the major issues in play, highlighting challenges facing the institution of arbitration, and identifying opportunities available for its development as an institution. The evidence of arbitration practice presented is set against the background of practitioner perceptions and experience from more than 20 countries. The volume will serve as a useful resource for all scholars and practitioners interested in the institution of arbitration and its professional practices.

Challenges and Recusal of Judges and Arbitrators in International Courts and Tribunals provides an in-depth analysis of a fundamental control mechanism of international dispute resolution in the context of some of the main international courts and tribunals. The book also assesses specific grounds and standards for challenging judges and arbitrators, and includes both regional and personal perspectives.

"The great strength of the arbitration process lies in its independence from any particular legal culture. Inevitably, its (cross-cultural perspective) has brought it to the fore as the preferred means of resolving international commercial disputes. The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London has long been concerned to promote scholarship and research in the law and practice relating to alternative dispute resolution. During its jubilee year, the Institute organised a prestigious series of lectures, which formed the basis of this book on the law pertaining to international arbitration. The nine authors bring a truly international perspective to their work Their combined experience has involved them in arbitrations In many countries in Europe, Asia, North America and South America; several of them have in addition had various posts in international diplomacy and in major international organisations. They include Dr. Christian Boris, on the civil law versus common law in arbitration culture; Professor Andreas F. Lowenfeld, on the 'mix' that creates the international arbitration process; Dr. Serge Lazareff, on the search for a common procedural approach; Sigvard Jarvin, who compares the leading international arbitration seats; Jonathon Crook, on arbitration seats in the Far East; Ambassador Malcolm R. Wilkey, on the practicalities of cross-cultural arbitration; Jean Reed Haynes, on the confidentiality of international arbitration; Dr. Horacio A. Grigera Naon, on Latin American arbitration culture; and Dr. Bernardo M. Cremades, on how interactive arbitration overcomes the clash of legal cultures. Conflicting Legal Cultures in Commercial Arbitration brings international arbitration as it is currently practised into sharp focus, and will be of great value to all practitioners, academics and students in the field."--Publisher's website.