Review Article

The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe

Volume: 44 Number: 1 August 21, 2024
TR EN

The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe

Abstract

The 1996 Act has completed its quarter-century cycle of existence. At the time of its enactment, it was praised by scholars and practitioners as a “masterful… comprehensive” piece of legislation and one that was destined to “enhance the attractiveness of England as an arbitral forum”. These predictions proved exceedingly accurate. However, over time the legislation’s various shortcomings began to surface. Its review by the Law Commission was, therefore, very timely. This paper considers the present state of English arbitration law considering the provisions of the 1996 Act and substantive and/or noteworthy recommendations proposed to the legislation, alongside the relevant case-law, and considers the appropriateness and potential utility of these recommendations. In particular, this article considers the following issues: the governing law of an arbitration agreement, the arbitrators’ duty of disclosure, their immunity from liability, the summary disposal of claims and defences, the confidentiality of arbitration and court powers in support of arbitral proceedings and emergency arbitrations. The paper concludes that although the reform proposals are mostly commendable and sufficient to satisfy users’ concerns and expectations, not all are agreeable. Reform proposals do not go far enough. Most notably, the rule concerning the arbitrators’ duty of disclosure should recognise that, in appropriate instances, the subjective expectations of the parties should be addressed in the assessment. The parties’ reasonable and/or legitimate expectations should not be ignored when deciding what facts and circumstances to disclose to ensure that the parties retain confidence in the process and remain the ultimate arbiters of their dispute.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Bulunmamaktadir.

Ethical Statement

Cikar catismasi vb olmadigini beyan ederim.

Thanks

Bulunmamaktadir.

References

  1. Arbitration Act 1996 (c 23). Full title: An Act to restate and improve the law relating to arbitration pursuant to an arbitration agreement; to make other provision relating to arbitration and arbitration awards; and for connected purposes, passed on 17 June 1996 (Chapter 23). google scholar
  2. Civil Procedure Act 1997 (c 12). Full title: An Act to amend the law about civil procedure in England and Wales; and for connected purposes, passed on 27 February 1997 (Chapter 12). google scholar
  3. Africa Sourcing Cameroun Limited and another v Societe par Actions Simplifiee (Rockwinds) and another [2023] EWHC 150 (Comm). google scholar
  4. Ali Shipping Corporation v Shipyard Trogir [1999] 1 W.L.R. 314. google scholar
  5. C Ltd v D [2020] EWHC 1283 (Comm). google scholar
  6. David Sterling v Miriam Rand [2019] EWHC 2560 (Ch). google scholar
  7. Economic Department of City ofMoscow v Bankers Trust Co [2005] Q.B. 207. google scholar
  8. Emmott v Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd [2005] Q.B. 207. google scholar

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law

Journal Section

Review Article

Publication Date

August 21, 2024

Submission Date

May 22, 2024

Acceptance Date

June 24, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 44 Number: 1

APA
Gultutan, D. (2024). The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe. Public and Private International Law Bulletin, 44(1), 197-219. https://izlik.org/JA96WD68XZ
AMA
1.Gultutan D. The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe. PPIL. 2024;44(1):197-219. https://izlik.org/JA96WD68XZ
Chicago
Gultutan, Dogan. 2024. “The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe”. Public and Private International Law Bulletin 44 (1): 197-219. https://izlik.org/JA96WD68XZ.
EndNote
Gultutan D (August 1, 2024) The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe. Public and Private International Law Bulletin 44 1 197–219.
IEEE
[1]D. Gultutan, “The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe”, PPIL, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 197–219, Aug. 2024, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA96WD68XZ
ISNAD
Gultutan, Dogan. “The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe”. Public and Private International Law Bulletin 44/1 (August 1, 2024): 197-219. https://izlik.org/JA96WD68XZ.
JAMA
1.Gultutan D. The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe. PPIL. 2024;44:197–219.
MLA
Gultutan, Dogan. “The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe”. Public and Private International Law Bulletin, vol. 44, no. 1, Aug. 2024, pp. 197-19, https://izlik.org/JA96WD68XZ.
Vancouver
1.Dogan Gultutan. The UK Law Commission’s Reforms Proposed to the English Arbitration Act 1996: Bonum, Malum Et Turpe. PPIL [Internet]. 2024 Aug. 1;44(1):197-219. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA96WD68XZ