(vi) Drafting an arbitration clause – points of attention
All model arbitration clauses provide for some options. Normally, it is advisable to include them:
- The parties should agree on a place of arbitration. Although the arbitration rules will provide for a solution, identifying a venue improves the enforceability of an arbitral award. Although the arbitral proceedings would normally be held in the chosen city, this is not a must (the parties may always agree on other places). You should know that all arbitral institutes will allow you to compromise on any place of arbitration.
- The parties may agree on the number of arbiters. Many arbitration laws require that this must be an odd number (one or three).
- Be aware that in the absence of a choice-of-law clause the arbitral tribunal may sometimes be entitled to “decide ex aequo et bono”. This depends on the applicable arbitration law and thus on the jurisdiction of the place of arbitration. Since nearly all arbitration laws are highly flexible, there is no need to explicitly stipulate that another arbitration law applies. Parties might, however, desire to determine that the arbitral tribunal “shall decide in accordance with the rules of law” or “as amiable compositeurs”.
- The parties may or may not want to provide a customised mechanism for appointment of the arbitral tribunal. Each arbitration institute has its own rules, but all institutes require that the arbitral tribunal be independent from both parties (even though the parties might have nominated their own ‘representatives’ on the tribunal).
- Most arbitration institutes provide for adequate access to summary proceedings and provisional measures. If not, the applicable arbitration law will probably allow for it. Nevertheless, you might exceptionally want to say something about such a possibility.