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The UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration
CHAPTER I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER II - ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
CHAPTER III - COMPOSITION OF ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL
CHAPTER V - CONDUCT OF ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER VI - MAKING OF AWARD AND TERMINATION OF PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER VII - RECOURSE AGAINST AWARD
CHAPTER VIII - RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF AWARDS
CHAPTER I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Scope of application*
[* - Article headings are for reference purposes only and are not to be used for purposes of interpretation.]
1. This Law applies to international commercial** arbitration, subject
to any agreement in force between this State and any other State or
States.
2. The provisions of this Law, except articles 8, 9, 35 and 36, apply only
if the place of arbitration is in the territory of this State.
3. An arbitration is international if:
(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
(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
(c) the parties have expressly agreed that the subject-matter of the
arbitration agreement relates to more than one country.
4. For the purposes of paragraph (3) of this article:
(a) if a party has more than one place of business, the place of business
is that which has the closest relationship to the arbitration agreement;
(b) if a party does not have a place of business, reference is to be made
to his habitual residence.
5. This Law shall not affect any other law of this State by virtue of
which certain disputes may not be submitted to arbitration or may be
submitted to arbitration only according to provisions other than those of
this 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
of 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.]
Article 2 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Definitions and rules of interpretation
For the purposes of this Law:
(a) "arbitration' means any arbitration whether or not administered by a
permanent arbitral institution;
(b) "arbitral tribunal" means a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators;
(c) "court" means a body or organ of the judicial system of a State;
(d) where a provision of this Law, except article 28, leaves the parties
free to determine a certain issue, such freedom includes the right of the
parties to authorize a third party, including an institution, to make that
determination;
(e) where a provision of this Law refers to the fact that the parties have
agreed or that they may agree or in any other way refers to an agreement
of the parties; such agreement includes any arbitration rules referred to
in that agreement;
(f) where a provision of this Law, other than in articles 25 (a) and 32
(2) (a), refers to a claim, it also applies to a counter-claim, and where
it refers to a defence, it also applies to a defence to such
counter-claim.
Article 3 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Receipt of written communications
1. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties:
(a) any written communication is deemed to have been received if it is
delivered to the addressee personally or if it is delivered at his place
of business, habitual residence or mailing address; if none of these can
be found after making a reasonable inquiry, a written communication is
deemed to have been received if it is sent to the addressee's last-known
place of business, habitual residence or mailing address by registered
letter or any other means which provides a record of the attempt to
deliver it;
(b) the communication is deemed to have been received on the day it is so
delivered.
2. The provisions of this article do not apply to communications in court
proceedings.
Article 4 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Waiver of right to object
A party who knows that any provision of this Law from which the parties
may derogate or any requirement under the arbitration agreement has not
been complied with and yet proceeds with the arbitration without stating
his objection to such non-compliance without undue delay or, if a
time-limit is provided therefor, within such period of time, shall be
deemed to have waived his right to object.
Article 5 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Extent of court intervention
In matters governed by this Law, no court shall intervene except where so
provided in this Law.
Article 6 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Court or other authority for certain functions of arbitration
assistance and supervision
The functions referred to in articles 11(3), 11(4), 13(3),14,16 (3) and
(2) shall be performed by ... [Each State enacting this model law
specifies the court, courts or, where referred to therein, other authority
competent to perform these functions.]
CHAPTER II - ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
Article 7 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Definition and form of arbitration agreement
1. "Arbitration agreement" is an agreement by the parties to submit to
arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise
between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether
contractual or not. An arbitration agreement may be in the form of an
arbitration clause in a contract or in the form of a separate agreement.
2. The arbitration agreement shall be in writing. An agreement is in
writing if it is contained in a document signed by the parties or in an
exchange of letters, telex, telegrams or other means of telecommunication
which provide a record of the agreement, or in an exchange of statements
of claim and defence in which the existence of an agreement is alleged by
one party and not denied by another. The reference in a contract to a
document containing an arbitration clause constitutes an arbitration
agreement provided that the contract is in writing and the reference is
such as to make that clause part of the contract.
Article 8 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court
1. A court before which an action is brought in a matter which is the
subject of an arbitration agreement shall, if a party so requests not
later than when submitting his first statement on the substance of the
dispute, refer the parties to arbitration unless it finds that the
agreement is real and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed.
2. Where an action referred to in paragraph (1) of this article has been
brought, arbitral proceedings may nevertheless be commenced or continued,
and an award may be made, while the issue is pending before the court.
Article 9 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Arbitration agreement and interim measures by court
It is not incompatible with an arbitration agreement for a party to
request, before or during arbitral proceedings, from a court an interim
measure of protection and for a court to grant such measure.
CHAPTER III - COMPOSITION OF ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL
Article 10 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Number of arbitrators
1. The parties are free to determine the number of arbitrators.
2. Failing such determination, the number of arbitrators shall be three.
Article 11 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Appointment of arbitrators
1. No person shall be precluded by reason of his nationality from acting
as an arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
2. The parties are free to agree on a procedure of appointing the
arbitrator or arbitrators, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (4) and
(5) of this article.
3. Failing such agreement,
(a) in an arbitration with three arbitrators, each party shall appoint one
arbitrator, and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall appoint the third
arbitrator; if a party fails to appoint the arbitrator within thirty days
of receipt of a request to do so from the other party, or if the two
arbitrators fail to agree on the third arbitrator within thirty days of
their appointment, the appointment shall be made, upon request of a party,
by the court or other authority specified in article 6;
(b) in an arbitration with a sole arbitrator, if the parties are unable to
agree on the arbitrator, he shall be appointed, upon request of a party,
by the court or other authority specified in article 6.
4. Where, under an appointment procedure agreed upon by the parties,
(a) a party fails to act as required under such procedure, or
(b) the parties, or two arbitrators, are unable to reach an agreement
expected of them under such procedure, or
(c) a third party, including an institution, fails to perform any function
entrusted to it under such procedure,
any party may request the court or other authority specified in article 6
to take the necessary measure, unless the agreement on the appointment
procedure provides other means for securing the appointment.
5. A decision on a matter entrusted by paragraph (3) and (4) of this
article to the court or other authority specified in article 6 shall be
subject to no appeal. The court or other authority, in appointing an
arbitrator, shall have due regard to any qualifications required of the
arbitrator by the agreement of the parties and to such considerations as
are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial
arbitrator and, in the case of a sole or third arbitrator, shall take into
account as well the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a
nationality other than those of the parties.
Article 12 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Grounds for challenge
1. When a person is approached in connection with his possible appointment
as an arbitrator, he shall disclose any circumstances likely to give rise
to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence. An
arbitrator, from the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitral
proceedings, shall without delay disclose any such circumstances to the
parties unless they have already been informed of them by him.
2. An arbitrator may be challenged only if circumstances exist that give
rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence, or if
he does not possess qualifications agreed to by the parties. A party may
challenge an arbitrator appointed by him, or in whose appointment he has
participated, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the
appointment has been made.
Article 13 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Challenge procedure
1. The parties are free to agree on a procedure for challenging an
arbitrator, subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this article.
2. Failing such agreement, a party which intends to challenge an
arbitrator shall, within fifteen days after becoming aware of the
constitution of the arbitral tribunal or after becoming aware of any
circumstance referred to in article 12(2), send a written statement of the
reasons for the challenge to the arbitral tribunal. Unless the challenged
arbitrator withdraws from his office or the other party agrees to the
challenge, the arbitral tribunal shall decide on the challenge.
3. If a challenge under any procedure agreed upon by the parties or under
the procedure of paragraph (2) of this article is not successful, the
challenging party may request, within thirty days after having received
notice of the decision rejecting the challenge, the court or other
authority specified in article 6 to decide on the challenge, which
decision shall be subject to no appeal; while such a request is pending,
the arbitral tribunal, including the challenged arbitrator, may continue
the arbitral proceedings and make an award.
Article 14 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Failure or impossibility to act
1. If an arbitrator becomes de jure or de facto unable to perform his
functions or for other reasons fails to act without undue delay, his
mandate terminates if he withdraws from his office or if the parties agree
on the termination. Otherwise, if a controversy remains concerning any of
these grounds, any party may request the court or other authority
specified in article 6 to decide on the termination of the mandate, which
decision shall be subject to no appeal.
2. If, under this article or article 13 (2), an arbitrator withdraws from
his office or a party agrees to the termination of the mandate of an
arbitrator, this does not imply acceptance of the validity of any ground
referred to in this article or article 12 (2).
Article 15 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Appointment of substitute arbitrator
Where the mandate of an arbitrator terminates under article 13 or 14 or
because of his withdrawal from office for any other reason or because of
the revocation of his mandate by agreement of the parties or in any other
case of termination of his mandate, a substitute arbitrator shall be
appointed according to the rules that were applicable to the appointment
of the arbitrator being replaced.
CHAPTER IV - JURISDICTION OF ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL
Article 16 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction
1. The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction, including any
objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration
agreement. For that purpose, an arbitration clause which forms part of a
contract shall be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms
of the contract. A decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is
null and void shall not entail ipso jure the invalidity of the arbitration
clause.
2. A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall be
raised not later than the submission of the statement of defence. A party
is not precluded from raising such a plea by the fact that he has
appointed, or participated in the appointment of, an arbitrator. A plea
that the arbitral tribunal is exceeding the scope of its authority shall
be raised as soon as the matter alleged to be beyond the scope of its
authority is raised during the arbitral proceedings. The arbitral tribunal
may, in either case, admit a later plea if it considers the delay
justified.
3. The arbitral tribunal may rule on a plea referred to in paragraph (2)
of this article either as a preliminary question or in an award on the
merits. If the arbitral tribunal rules as a preliminary question that it
has jurisdiction, any party may request, within thirty days after having
received notice of that ruling, the court specified in article 6 to decide
the matter, which decision shall be subject to no appeal; while such a
request is pending, the arbitral tribunal may continue the arbitral
proceedings and make an award.
Article 17 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Power of arbitral tribunal to order interim measures
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may, at the
request of a party, order any party to take such interim measure of
protection as the arbitral tribunal may consider necessary in respect of
the subject-matter of the dispute. The arbitral tribunal may require any
party to provide appropriate security in connection with such measure.
CHAPTER V - CONDUCT OF ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS
Article 18 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Equal treatment of parties
The parties shall be treated with equality and each party shall be given a
full opportunity of presenting his case.
Article 19 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Determination of rules of procedure
1. Subject to the provisions of this Law, the parties are free to agree on
the procedure to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in conducting the
proceedings.
2. Failing such agreement, the arbitral tribunal may, subject to the
provisions of this Law, conduct the arbitration in such manner as it
considers appropriate. The power conferred upon the arbitral tribunal
includes the power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality
and weight of any evidence.
Article 20 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Place of arbitration
1. The parties are free to agree on the place of arbitration. Failing such
agreement, the place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral
tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the
convenience of the parties.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this article, the
arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any
place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for
hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for inspection of goods,
other property or documents.
Article 21 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Commencement of arbitral proceedings
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral proceedings in
respect of a particular dispute commence on the date on which a request
for that dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the
respondent.
Article 22 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Language
1. The parties are free to agree on the language or languages to be used
in the arbitral proceedings. Failing such agreement, the arbitral tribunal
shall determine the language or languages to be used in the proceedings.
This agreement or determination, unless otherwise specified therein, shall
apply to any written statement by a party, any hearing and any award,
decision or other communication by the arbitral tribunal.
2. The arbitral tribunal may order that any documentary evidence shall be
accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by
the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal.
Article 23 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Statements of claim and defence
1. Within the period of time agreed by the parties or determined by the
arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state the facts supporting his
claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy sought, and the
respondent shall state his defence in respect of these particulars, unless
the parties have otherwise agreed as to the required elements of such
statements. The parties may submit with their statements all documents
they consider to be relevant or may add a reference to the documents or
other evidence they will submit.
2. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, either party may amend or
supplement his claim or defence during the course of the arbitral
proceedings, unless the arbitral tribunal considers it inappropriate to
allow such amendment having regard to the delay in making it.
Article 24 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Hearings and written proceedings
1. Subject to any contrary agreement by the parties, the arbitral tribunal
shall decide whether to hold oral hearings for the presentation of
evidence or for oral argument, or whether the proceedings shall be
conducted on the basis of documents and other materials. However, unless
the parties have agreed that no hearings shall be held, the arbitral
tribunal shall hold such hearings at an appropriate stage of the
proceedings, if so requested by a party.
2. The parties shall be given sufficient advance notice of any hearing and
of any meeting of the arbitral tribunal for the purposes of inspection of
goods, other property or documents.
3. All statements, documents or other information supplied to the arbitral
tribunal by one party shall be communicated to the other party. Also any
expert report or evidentiary document on which the arbitral tribunal may
rely in making its decision shall be communicated to the parties.
Article 25 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Default of a party
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if, without showing sufficient
cause,
(a) the claimant fails to communicate his statement of claim in accordance
with article 23 (1), the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the
proceedings;
(b) the respondent fails to communicate his statement of defence in
accordance with article 23 (1), the arbitral tribunal shall continue the
proceedings without treating such failure in itself as an admission of the
claimant's allegations;
(c) any party fails to appear at a hearing or to produce documentary
evidence, the arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings and make the
award on the evidence before it.
Article 26 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal
1. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal
(a) may appoint one or more experts to report to it on specific issues to
be determined by the arbitral tribunal;
(b) may require a party to give the expert any relevant information or to
produce, or to provide access to, any relevant documents, goods or other
property for his inspection.
2. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party so requests or if
the arbitral tribunal considers it necessary, the expert shall, after
delivery of his written or oral report, participate in a hearing where the
parties have the opportunity to put questions to him and to present expert
witnesses in order to testify on the points at issue.
Article 27 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Court assistance in taking evidence
The arbitral tribunal or a party with the approval of the arbitral
tribunal may request from a competent court of this State assistance in
taking evidence. The court may execute the request within its competence
and according to its rules on taking evidence.
CHAPTER VI - MAKING OF AWARD AND TERMINATION OF PROCEEDINGS
Article 28 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Rules applicable to substance of dispute
1. The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance with such
rules of law as are chosen by the parties as applicable to the substance
of the dispute. Any designation of the law or legal system of a given
State shall be construed, unless otherwise expressed, as directly
referring to the substantive law of that State and not to its conflict of
laws rules.
2. Failing any designation by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall
apply the law determined by the conflict of laws rules which it considers
applicable.
3. The arbitral tribunal shall decide ex aequo et bono or as amiable
compositeur only if the parties have expressly authorized it to do so.
4. In all cases, the arbitral tribunal shall decide in accordance with the
terms of the contract and shall take into account the usages of the trade
applicable to the transaction.
Article 29 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Decision-making by panel of arbitrators
In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, any decision of the
arbitral tribunal shall be made, unless otherwise agreed by the parties,
by a majority of all its members. However, questions of procedure may be
decided by a presiding arbitrator, if so authorized by the parties or all
members of the arbitral tribunal.
Article 30 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Settlement
1. If, during arbitral proceedings, the parties settle the dispute, the
arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings and, if requested by the
parties and not objected to by the arbitral tribunal, record the
settlement in the form of an arbitral award on agreed terms.
2. An award on agreed terms shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of article 31 and shall state that it is an award. Such an
award has the same status and effect as any other award on the merits of
the case.
Article 31 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Form and contents of award
1. The award shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the
arbitrator or arbitrators. In arbitrator proceedings with more than one
arbitrator, the signatures of the majority of all members of the arbitral
tribunal shall suffice, provided that the reason for any omitted signature
is stated.
2. The award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the
parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given or the award is an
award on agreed terms under article 30.
3. The award shall state its date and the place of arbitration as
determined in accordance with article 20 (1). The award shall be deemed to
have been made at that place.
4. After the award is made, a copy signed by the arbitrators in accordance
with paragraph (1) of this article shall be delivered to each party.
Article 32 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Termination of proceedings
1. The arbitral proceedings are terminated by the final award or by an
order of the arbitral tribunal in accordance with paragraph (2) of this
article.
2. The arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the
arbitral proceedings when:
(a) the claimant withdraws his claim, unless the respondent objects
thereto and the arbitral tribunal recognizes a legitimate interest on his
part in obtaining a final settlement of the dispute;
(b) the parties agree on the termination of the proceedings;
(c) the arbitral tribunal finds that the continuation of the proceedings
has for any other reason become unnecessary or impossible.
3. The mandate of the arbitral tribunal terminates with the termination of
the arbitral proceedings, subject to the provisions of articles 33 and 34
(4).
Article 33 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Correction of interpretation of award; additional award
1. Within thirty days of receipt of the award, unless another period of
time has been agreed upon by the parties:
(a) a party, with notice to the other party, may request the arbitral
tribunal to correct in the award any errors in computation, any clerical
or typographical errors or any errors of similar nature;
(b) if so agreed by the parties, a party, with notice to the other party,
may request the arbitral tribunal to give an interpretation of a specific
point or part of the award.
If the arbitral tribunal considers the request to be justified, it shall
make the correction or give the interpretation within thirty days of
receipt of the request. The interpretation shall form part of the award.
2. The arbitral tribunal may correct any error of the type referred to in
paragraph (1) (a) of this article on its own initiative within thirty days
of the day of the award.
3. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party, with notice to the
other party, may request, within thirty days of receipt of the award, the
arbitral tribunal to make an additional award as to claims presented in
the arbitral proceedings but omitted from the award. If the arbitral
tribunal considers the request to be justified, it shall make the
additional award within sixty days.
4. The arbitral tribunal may extend, if necessary, the period of time
within which it shall make a correction, interpretation or an additional
award under paragraph (1) or (3) of this article.
5. The provisions of article 31 shall apply to a correction or
interpretation of the award or to an additional award.
CHAPTER VII - RECOURSE AGAINST AWARD
Article 34 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Application for setting aside as exclusive recourse against
arbitral award
1. Recourse to a court against an arbitral award may be made only by an
application for setting aside in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of
this article.
2. An arbitral award may be set aside by the court specified in article 6
only if:
(a) the party making the application furnishes proof that:
(i) a party to the arbitration agreement referred to in article 7 was
under some incapacity; or the said agreement is not valid under the law to
which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication thereon,
under the law of this State; or
(ii) the party making the application was not given proper notice of the
appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was
otherwise unable to present his case; or
(iii) the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling
within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or contains decisions
on matters beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration, provided
that, if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be
separated from those not so submitted, only that part of the award which
contains decisions on matters not submitted to arbitration may be set
aside; or
(iv) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure
was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, unless such
agreement was in conflict with a provision of this Law from which the
parties cannot derogate, or, failing such agreement, was not in accordance
with this Law; or
(b) the court finds that:
(i) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by
arbitration under the law of this State; or
(ii) the award is in conflict with the public policy of this State.
3. An application for setting aside may not be made after three months
have elapsed from the date on which the party making that application had
received that award or, if a request had been made under article 33, from
the date on which that request had been disposed of by the arbitral
tribunal.
4. The court, when asked to set aside an award, may, where appropriate and
so requested by a party, suspend the setting aside proceedings for a
period of time determined by it in order to give the arbitral tribunal an
opportunity to resume the arbitral proceedings or to take such other
action as in the arbitral tribunal's opinion will eliminate the grounds
for setting aside.
CHAPTER VIII - RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF AWARDS
Article 35 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Recognition and enforcement
1. An arbitral award, irrespective of the country in which it was made,
shall be recognized as binding and, upon application in writing to the
competent court, shall be enforced subject to the provisions of this
article and of article 36.
2. The party relying on an award or applying for its enforcement shall
supply the duly authenticated original award or a duly certified copy
thereof, and the original arbitration agreement referred to in article 7
or a duly certified copy thereof. If the award or agreement is not made in
an official language of this State, the party shall supply a duly
certified translation thereof into such language.***
[*** - The conditions set forth in this paragraph are intended to set maximum standards.
It would, thus, not be contrary to the harmonization to be achieved by the model law if
a State retained even less onerous conditions.]
Article 36 - UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement
1. Recognition or enforcement of an arbitral award, irrespective of the
country in which it was made, may be refused only:
(a) at the request of the party against whom it is invoked, if that party
furnishes to the competent court where recognition or enforcement is
sought proof that:
(i) a party to the arbitration agreement referred to in article 7 was
under some incapacity; or the said agreement is not valid under the law to
which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication thereon,
under the law of the country where the award was made; or
(ii) the party against whom the award is invoked was not given proper
notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitrator
proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or
(iii) the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling
within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or it contains
decisions on matters beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration,
provided that, if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be
separated from those not so submitted, that part of the award which
contains decisions on matters submitted to arbitration may be recognized
and enforced; or
(iv) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure
was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties or, failing such
agreement, was not in accordance with the law of the country where the
arbitration took place; or
(v) the award has not yet become binding on the parties or has been set
aside or suspended by a court of the country in which, or under the law of
which, that award was made; or
(b) if the court finds that:
(i) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by
arbitration under the law of this State; or
(ii) the recognition or enforcement of the award would be contrary to the
public policy of this State.
2. If an application for setting aside or suspension of an award has been
made to a court referred to in paragraph (1) (a) (v) of this article, the
court where recognition or enforcement is sought may, if it considers it
proper, adjourn its decision and may also, on the application of the party
claiming recognition or enforcement of the award, order the other party to
provide appropriate security.
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