What is UNCITRAL?
UNCITRAL, or the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, was established by the United Nations (UN) to help harmonize and unify laws around the world related to international business and trade. It does this in part by promoting uniform practices and procedures and by creating model laws and rules, such as the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. UNCITRAL does not itself administer or become involved in individual arbitrations.
What are UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules?
The UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules are a set of procedural rules covering all aspects of the arbitration process, which parties may agree to in part or in whole in order to help resolve their international disputes.
The UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules provide, among other things:
- A model arbitration clause for contracts;
- Procedures for the appointment of arbitrators;
- Procedures for the conduct of arbitration proceedings; and
- Requirements about the form, effect and interpretation of an arbitration award.
When are UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules used?
The UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules have been used to govern a broad range of procedures, including:
- disputes between private commercial parties where no arbitral institution is involved (ad hoc arbitration)
- disputes between states and foreign investors (investment arbitration)
- disputes between two countries (State-to-State dispute
The UNCITRAL Rules are also often used as guidelines.
Why use UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules?
The UNCITRAL Rules provide users from around the world with a procedural framework for arbitration proceedings that is not necessarily tied to a specific arbitral institution and that may provide greater flexibility.
Who can use the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules?
Any party may agree to use the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules irrespective of their nationality, either in their contract of afterwards (see arbitration agreements).
Contact our International Arbitration Attorneys.
Our attorneys have successfully represented clients and acted as arbitrators in numerous international ad hoc arbitration proceedings, many of them under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.
Free, confidential consultations with our arbitration lawyers are available by dialing +001 415 981 4800 or by filling out the form to the right.
