Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(1985)
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Copyright © 1985 United Nations (UN)
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
1 UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial which the subject-matter of the dispute is most closely con-
Arbitration (1985) (as adopted by the United Nations nected; or
Commission on International Trade Law on 21 June (c) the parties have expressly agreed that the subject-matter 11
1985) of the arbitration agreement relates to more than one coun-
try.
2 CHAPTER I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
4. For the purposes of paragraph (3) of this article: 12
1
Article headings are for reference purposes only and are not to be used (a) “arbitration' means any arbitration whether or not adminis- 19
contractual or not. Relationships of a commercial nature include, but are not trators;
limited to, the following transactions: any trade transaction for the supply or
exchange of goods or services; distribution agreement; commercial (c) “court” means a body or organ of the judicial system of a 21
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
(d) where a provision of this Law, except article 28, leaves the 22 the parties may derogate or any requirement under the arbitra-
parties free to determine a certain issue, such freedom includes tion agreement has not been complied with and yet proceeds
the right of the parties to authorize a third party, including an with the arbitration without stating his objection to such non-
institution, to make that determination; compliance without undue delay or, if a time-limit is provided
therefor, within such period of time, shall be deemed to have
23 (e) where a provision of this Law refers to the fact that the par-
waived his right to object.
ties 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; Article 5 - Extent of court intervention 32
24 (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, In matters governed by this Law, no court shall intervene except 33
and where it refers to a defence, it also applies to a defence to where so provided in this Law.
such counter-claim.
Article 6 - Court or other authority for certain functions of 34
26 1. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties: The functions referred to in articles 11(3), 11(4), 13(3),14,16 35
agreement
28 (b) the communication is deemed to have been received on the
day it is so delivered. 1. “Arbitration agreement” is an agreement by the parties to 38
29 2. The provisions of this article do not apply to communications submit to arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen
in court proceedings. or which may arise between them in respect of a defined legal
relationship, whether contractual or not. An arbitration agree-
ment may be in the form of an arbitration clause in a contract
30 Article 4 - Waiver of right to object
or in the form of a separate agreement.
31 A party who knows that any provision of this Law from which 2. The arbitration agreement shall be in writing. An agreement 39
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
is in writing if it is contained in a document signed by the parties 45 CHAPTER III - COMPOSITION OF ARBITRAL
or in an exchange of letters, telex, telegrams or other means of TRIBUNAL
telecommunication which provide a record of the agreement,
or in an exchange of statements of claim and defence in which Article 10 - Number of arbitrators 46
before court
1. No person shall be precluded by reason of his nationality 50
the substance of the dispute, refer the parties to arbitration un- arbitrator or arbitrators, subject to the provisions of paragraphs
less it finds that the agreement is real and void, inoperative or (4) and (5) of this article.
incapable of being performed. 3. Failing such agreement, 52
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
on the appointment procedure provides other means for secur- an arbitrator, subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this
ing the appointment. article.
60 5. A decision on a matter entrusted by paragraph (3) and (4) 2. Failing such agreement, a party which intends to challenge 66
of this article to the court or other authority specified in article an arbitrator shall, within fifteen days after becoming aware of
6 shall be subject to no appeal. The court or other authority, in the constitution of the arbitral tribunal or after becoming aware
appointing an arbitrator, shall have due regard to any qualifica- of any circumstance referred to in article 12(2), send a writ-
tions required of the arbitrator by the agreement of the parties ten statement of the reasons for the challenge to the arbitral
and to such considerations as are likely to secure the appoint- tribunal. Unless the challenged arbitrator withdraws from his
ment of an independent and impartial arbitrator and, in the case office or the other party agrees to the challenge, the arbitral
of a sole or third arbitrator, shall take into account as well the tribunal shall decide on the challenge.
advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality other than 3. If a challenge under any procedure agreed upon by the par- 67
those of the parties. ties or under the procedure of paragraph (2) of this article is not
successful, the challenging party may request, within thirty days
61 Article 12 - Grounds for challenge after having received notice of the decision rejecting the chal-
lenge, the court or other authority specified in article 6 to decide
62 1. When a person is approached in connection with his possi- on the challenge, which decision shall be subject to no appeal;
ble appointment as an arbitrator, he shall disclose any circum- while such a request is pending, the arbitral tribunal, including
stances likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impar- the challenged arbitrator, may continue the arbitral proceedings
tiality or independence. An arbitrator, from the time of his ap- and make an award.
pointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings, shall with-
out delay disclose any such circumstances to the parties unless
Article 14 - Failure or impossibility to act 68
they have already been informed of them by him.
63 2. An arbitrator may be challenged only if circumstances exist 1. If an arbitrator becomes de jure or de facto unable to perform 69
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
his functions or for other reasons fails to act without undue de- the arbitral tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not
lay, his mandate terminates if he withdraws from his office or entail ipso jure the invalidity of the arbitration clause.
if the parties agree on the termination. Otherwise, if a contro-
versy remains concerning any of these grounds, any party may 2. A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall 76
request the court or other authority specified in article 6 to de- be raised not later than the submission of the statement of de-
cide on the termination of the mandate, which decision shall be fence. A party is not precluded from raising such a plea by the
subject to no appeal. fact that he has appointed, or participated in the appointment
70 2. If, under this article or article 13 (2), an arbitrator withdraws of, an arbitrator. A plea that the arbitral tribunal is exceeding
from his office or a party agrees to the termination of the man- the scope of its authority shall be raised as soon as the matter
date of an arbitrator, this does not imply acceptance of the valid- alleged to be beyond the scope of its authority is raised dur-
ity of any ground referred to in this article or article 12 (2). ing the arbitral proceedings. The arbitral tribunal may, in either
case, admit a later plea if it considers the delay justified.
measures
74 Article 16 - Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its
jurisdiction
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal 79
75 1. The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction, including may, at the request of a party, order any party to take such
any objections with respect to the existence or validity of the interim measure of protection as the arbitral tribunal may con-
arbitration agreement. For that purpose, an arbitration clause sider necessary in respect of the subject-matter of the dispute.
which forms part of a contract shall be treated as an agreement The arbitral tribunal may require any party to provide appropri-
independent of the other terms of the contract. A decision by ate security in connection with such measure.
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
81 Article 18 - Equal treatment of parties ings 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.
82 The parties shall be treated with equality and each party shall
be given a full opportunity of presenting his case.
Article 22 - Language 91
83 Article 19 - Determination of rules of procedure 1. The parties are free to agree on the language or languages 92
arbitral tribunal includes the power to determine the admissibil- dence shall be accompanied by a translation into the language
ity, relevance, materiality and weight of any evidence. or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the
arbitral tribunal.
87 1. The parties are free to agree on the place of arbitration. Fail- 1. Within the period of time agreed by the parties or determined 95
ing such agreement, the place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state the facts sup-
by the arbitral tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the porting his claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy
case, including the convenience of the parties. sought, and the respondent shall state his defence in respect
of these particulars, unless the parties have otherwise agreed
88 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this ar-
as to the required elements of such statements. The parties
ticle, the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the
may submit with their statements all documents they consider
parties, meet at any place it considers appropriate for consul-
to be relevant or may add a reference to the documents or other
tation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or
evidence they will submit.
the parties, or for inspection of goods, other property or docu-
ments. 2. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, either party may 96
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
amend or supplement his claim or defence during the course of 104 (b) the respondent fails to communicate his statement of de-
the arbitral proceedings, unless the arbitral tribunal considers fence in accordance with article 23 (1), the arbitral tribunal shall
it inappropriate to allow such amendment having regard to the continue the proceedings without treating such failure in itself
delay in making it. as an admission of the claimant's allegations;
97 Article 24 - Hearings and written proceedings mentary evidence, the arbitral tribunal may continue the pro-
ceedings and make the award on the evidence before it.
98 1. Subject to any contrary agreement by the parties, the arbi-
tral tribunal shall decide whether to hold oral hearings for the
presentation of evidence or for oral argument, or whether the Article 26 - Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal 106
no hearings shall be held, the arbitral tribunal shall hold such tribunal
hearings at an appropriate stage of the proceedings, if so re- (a) may appoint one or more experts to report to it on specific 108
quested by a party. issues to be determined by the arbitral tribunal;
99 2. The parties shall be given sufficient advance notice (b) may require a party to give the expert any relevant informa- 109
of any hearing and of any meeting of the arbitral tribunal tion or to produce, or to provide access to, any relevant docu-
for the purposes of inspection of goods, other property or ments, goods or other property for his inspection.
documents.
2. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party so requests 110
100 3. All statements, documents or other information supplied to
or if the arbitral tribunal considers it necessary, the expert shall,
the arbitral tribunal by one party shall be communicated to the
after delivery of his written or oral report, participate in a hearing
other party. Also any expert report or evidentiary document on
where the parties have the opportunity to put questions to him
which the arbitral tribunal may rely in making its decision shall
and to present expert witnesses in order to testify on the points
be communicated to the parties.
at issue.
102 Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if, without showing suf-
The arbitral tribunal or a party with the approval of the arbitral 112
ficient cause,
tribunal may request from a competent court of this State assis-
103 (a) the claimant fails to communicate his statement of claim in tance in taking evidence. The court may execute the request
accordance with article 23 (1), the arbitral tribunal shall termi- within its competence and according to its rules on taking evi-
nate the proceedings; dence.
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
113 CHAPTER VI - MAKING OF AWARD AND the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings and, if re-
TERMINATION OF PROCEEDINGS quested by the parties and not objected to by the arbitral tri-
bunal, record the settlement in the form of an arbitral award on
114 Article 28 - Rules applicable to substance of dispute agreed terms.
2. An award on agreed terms shall be made in accordance with 123
115 1. The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance
the provisions of article 31 and shall state that it is an award.
with such rules of law as are chosen by the parties as applica-
Such an award has the same status and effect as any other
ble to the substance of the dispute. Any designation of the law
award on the merits of the case.
or legal system of a given State shall be construed, unless oth-
erwise expressed, as directly referring to the substantive law of
that State and not to its conflict of laws rules. Article 31 - Form and contents of award 124
118 4. In all cases, the arbitral tribunal shall decide in accordance less the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given or
with the terms of the contract and shall take into account the the award is an award on agreed terms under article 30.
usages of the trade applicable to the transaction.
3. The award shall state its date and the place of arbitration as 127
arbitral tribunal.
1. The arbitral proceedings are terminated by the final award or 130
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
of the arbitral proceedings when: to in paragraph (1) (a) of this article on its own initiative within
thirty days of the day of the award.
132 (a) the claimant withdraws his claim, unless the respondent ob-
jects thereto and the arbitral tribunal recognizes a legitimate 3. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party, with notice 142
interest on his part in obtaining a final settlement of the dis- to the other party, may request, within thirty days of receipt of
pute; the award, the arbitral tribunal to make an additional award as
to claims presented in the arbitral proceedings but omitted from
133 (b) the parties agree on the termination of the proceed-
the award. If the arbitral tribunal considers the request to be jus-
ings;
tified, it shall make the additional award within sixty days.
134 (c) the arbitral tribunal finds that the continuation of the pro-
4. The arbitral tribunal may extend, if necessary, the period of 143
ceedings has for any other reason become unnecessary or im-
time within which it shall make a correction, interpretation or an
possible.
additional award under paragraph (1) or (3) of this article.
135 3. The mandate of the arbitral tribunal terminates with the ter- 5. The provisions of article 31 shall apply to a correction or 144
mination of the arbitral proceedings, subject to the provisions interpretation of the award or to an additional award.
of articles 33 and 34 (4).
138 (a) a party, with notice to the other party, may request the arbi- only by an application for setting aside in accordance with para-
tral tribunal to correct in the award any errord in computation, graphs (2) and (3) of this article.
any clerical or typographical errors or any errors of similar na- 2. An arbitral award may be set aside by the court specified in 148
ture; article 6 only if:
139 (b) if so agreed by the parties, a party, with notice to the other (a) the party making the application furnishes proof that: 149
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
152 (iii) the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not 159 CHAPTER VIII - RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT
falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or con- OF AWARDS
tains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the submission
to arbitration, provided that, if the decisions on matters submit- Article 35 - Recognition and enforcement 160
not submitted to arbitration may be set aside; or made, shall be recognized as binding and, upon application in
writing to the competent court, shall be enforced subject to the
153 (iv) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral proce- provisions of this article and of article 36.
dure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties,
2. The party relying on an award or applying for its enforcement 162
unless such agreement was in conflict with a provision of this
shall supply the duly authenticated original award or a duly cer-
Law from which the parties cannot derogate, or, failing such
tified copy thereof, and the original arbitration agreement re-
agreement, was not in accordance with this Law; or
ferred 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,
154 (b) the court finds that:
the party shall supply a duly certified translation thereof into
such language.3
155 (i) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement
by arbitration under the law of this State; or
Article 36 - Grounds for refusing recognition or 163
156 (ii) the award is in conflict with the public policy of this enforcement
State.
1. Recognition or enforcement of an arbitral award, irrespective 164
157 3. An application for setting aside may not be made after three of the country in which it was made, may be refused only:
months have elapsed from the date on which the party making
(a) at the request of the party against whom it is invoked, if 165
that application had received that award or, if a request had
that party furnishes to the competent court where recognition
been made under article 33, from the date on which that request
or enforcement is sought proof that:
had been disposed of by the arbitral tribunal.
(i) a party to the arbitration agreement referred to in article 7 166
158 4. The court, when asked to set aside an award, may, where was under some incapacity; or the said agreement is not valid
appropriate and so requested by a party, suspend the setting under the law to which the parties have subjected it or, failing
aside proceedings for a period of time determined by it in or- any indication thereon, under the law of the country where the
der to give the arbitral tribunal an opportunity to resume the award was made; or
arbitral proceedings or to take such other action as in the ar- 3
The conditions set forth in this paragraph are intended to set maximum
bitral tribunal's opinion will eliminate the grounds for setting standards. It would, thus, not be contrary to the harmonization to be
aside. achieved by the model law if a State retained even less onerous conditions.
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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
167 (ii) the party against whom the award is invoked was not given
proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbi-
trator proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case;
or
168 (iii) the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not
falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or it con-
tains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the submission
to arbitration, provided that, if the decisions on matters submit-
ted to arbitration can be separated from those not so submitted,
that part of the award which contains decisions on matters sub-
mitted to arbitration may be recognized and enforced; or
169 (iv) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral proce-
dure 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
170 (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
171 (b) if the court finds that:
172 (i) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement
by arbitration under the law of this State; or
173 (ii) the recognition or enforcement of the award would be con-
trary to the public policy of this State.
174 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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UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
Metadata
Document Manifest @:
‹http://www.jus.uio.no/lm/un.arbitration.model.law.1985/sisu_manifest.
html›
Title: UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (1985)
Creator: United Nations (UN)
Rights: Copyright (C) 1985 United Nations (UN)
Publisher: SiSU ‹http://www.jus.uio.no/sisu› (this copy)
Date: 1985
Topics Registered: United Nations:arbitration:model law;arbitration:model law
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