CIArb develops new arbitration principles

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has developed and published a set of principles for an effective, efficient, and 'safe' seat in international arbitration. Officially called the CIArb London Centenary Principles, they are the result of a lengthy debate which took place at the London Centenary Conference in July 2015.

Devised with the assistance of some of arbitration's leading practitioners, the CIArb London Centenary Principles recognise the importance of international arbitration today, consider current trends, and look towards the future of dispute resolution over the next century.

They encompass the law, the judiciary, legal expertise, education, rights of representation, accessibility and safety, facilities, ethics, enforceability, and immunity.

Commenting on the objective of the CIArb London Centenary Principles, the CIArb director general, Anthony Abrahams, said: 'The Principles are not another set of model rules for an arbitral institution. The intention behind these Principles is to have key criteria which a country, arbitral institution, professional body or legal sector can refer to when deciding how they will respond to the challenge of providing effective and safe arbitration facilities.'

The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith QC, PC, a CIArb fellow and chair of European and Asian litigation and arbitration at Debevoise & Plimpton, added: 'The Chartered Institute's Centenary Conference in London provided the opportunity not only to look back at the Institute's proud history of promotion of alternative dispute resolution but also to look forward. The CIArb London Centenary Principles which have been drafted, debated and now published set out an important guide to what makes an arbitration centre effective, useful and safe. Our hope is that these will be a point of reference especially for the many new arbitration centres in existence and contemplation. This will help provide parties with the best possible ways of resolving their disputes.'

Prof Doug Jones AO, chair of the CIArb Centenary, said that he was delighted that these principles would be a lasting contribution by the institute to the international dispute resolution community. He remarked: 'There have been exceptionally worthwhile activities across the globe as part of the Centenary many of which will be of lasting value. Of these, the Principles are very significant.'

The CIArb London Centenary Principles were devised with the assistance of The Rt Hon the Lord Goldsmith QC; Doug Jones AO; Judith Gill QC; Julian Lew QC; Constantine Partasides QC; Karyl Nairn QC; Toby Landau QC; The Hon Sir Vivian Ramsey; Wendy Miles QC; Peter Rees QC; Dr Maxi Scherer; and Audley Sheppard QC.

The London Centenary Conference took place from 1 to 3 July 2015 at the London Guildhall. The next Centenary event will take place on 3 and 4 September in Singapore.

CIArb is a global professional membership organisation representing the interests of alternative dispute resolution practitioners worldwide. CIArb signed up its 14,000th member in August 2015.