Arbitration Clauses for International Contracts - 2nd Edition

This book, by a leading international arbitration practitioner, offers suggested language for every option that a drafter of an international arbitration clause may need. Following a succinct assessment of the choice between arbitration and litigation and commentary on the choices among arbitration fora and formats, the author presents an accessible how-to for drafting. While other works offer theory and a smattering of drafting tips, there is no other comprehensive collection of workable language, presented accessibly with easy-to-reference appendices. This book is the standard reference for both in-house counsel and counsel.

Chapter 1 discusses model and standard clauses for both institutional and non-administered (Ad-Hoc) arbitration.

Chapters 2 through 5 discuss the threshold issues faced by parties when they consider providing for a dispute resolution method in their international contract. First, should the contract provide for arbitration (by means of an arbitration clause) or litigation (by means of a consent to the jurisdiction of a designated forum)? Second, if arbitration is selected, should it be administered by an institution or non-administered (ad hoc)? Third, if institutional arbitration is selected, which institution? Fourth, how should the place of arbitration be chosen and what are the implications of the choice?

Chapter 6 is a "how-to" discussion of drafting arbitration clauses, and comprises the largest section of this book. It divides the elements of an arbitration clause among three categories: essential elements; recommended elements; and optional elements. For each element, Chapter 5 offers in the text examples of workable contract language, and an explanation of alternatives. For ease of reference, the Appendices set out these same recommended clauses.

Chapter 7 discusses the utility of providing for negotiation or mediation as a mandatory first step before resorting to arbitration or litigation in international contracts, and suggests language that provides for such a first step without pitfalls.

Chapters 8 through 12 address special situations that may alter the considerations that lead to the selection or rejection of the clauses discussed in Chapter 6. Chapter 8 deals with joinder and intervention clauses for multi-party contracts. Chapter 9 discusses consolidation clauses for related contracts. Chapter 10 addresses expert determination clauses and dispute boards. Chapter 11 analyzes the special issues presented by arbitration clauses in contracts with sovereigns. Chapter 12 concentrates on Chinese arbitration law and contacts.

Chapter 13 addresses choice of law clauses, a subject distinct from dispute resolution per se but one that nevertheless should be addressed in any international contract.

New to the Second Editon:

(i) More decisive recommendations of clauses. The first edition included some clauses whose language the author considered workable, but which he did not in fact recommend. The new edition makes clear which clauses are recommended and why, and has eliminated entirely several clauses set out in the first edition.

(ii) Expert determination and dispute boards. This second edition adds a chapter on clauses providing for expert referral, a practice increasingly used in construction contracts and share purchase agreements.

(iii) China. This second edition introduces a chapter dealing with the special drafting considerations that arise when mainland China is either the place of arbitration or the place of possible enforcement of an arbitral award.

(iv) Sovereign contracts. This chapter is much revised. The author has expanded the discussion of ICSID arbitration clauses and added a section on the vexing issue of assignment of ICSID arbitration agreements. The author has excluded discussion of arbitration agreements involving NGOs.

(v) Increased reference to Latin America law and practice. During the years since the first edition of this book, Latin America has moved to the center of the international arbitration world. In this edition, references to U.S. and European laws have been retained (and updated), but they are no longer the sole references.