header-logo header-logo

31 March 2023 / Jon Felce , Mikhail Vishnyakov
Issue: 8019 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Arbitration , ADR
printer mail-detail

Arbitration Act 1996: staying ‘best in class’

117272
Jon Felce and Mikhail Vishnyakov discuss proposed changes to the Arbitration Act 1996
  • Sets out and discusses five key proposed reforms to Law Commission proposals for changes to the Arbitration Act 1996.
  • Outlines some proposed minor proposals, as well as the areas where no change is proposed.

The Law Commission is reviewing the Arbitration Act 1996 (AA 1996) for changes that may be needed to maintain its reputation for being ‘best in class’.

The provisional amendments (published in late 2022) aim to reflect the trends that have evolved in international arbitration, and potential improvements that have been identified to certain provisions of AA 1996, since its enactment more than 25 years ago.

As outlined in this article, the proposals are limited and carefully targeted. This suggests that, post-reform, many stakeholders will continue to regard AA 1996 highly. The consultation closed in December 2022 and the Law Commission aims to publish its final recommendations by mid-2023. Five key provisional proposals are set out below.

Summary determination

The

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Womble Bond Dickinson—Paula Myers

Womble Bond Dickinson—Paula Myers

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Paula Myers to private capital team in Leeds

mfg Solicitors—five promotions

mfg Solicitors—five promotions

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces five promotions at Birmingham office

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

NEWS
Calls to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 have been renewed, with the Bar Council arguing the current threshold criminalises children too early and risks pushing them towards lifelong offending
The legal profession's AI challenge extends far beyond fabricated case citations, according to a warning about the next phase of technological risk
Law firms should use the transition period before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumes anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to strengthen governance and compliance, experts have warned
Cross-border disputes increasingly demand creative approaches to gathering evidence, with litigators needing to look beyond traditional letters of request
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified the distinction between contracts of 'indefinite' and 'perpetual' duration, with potentially significant implications for commercial drafting
back-to-top-scroll