---
name: international-arbitration
title: International Arbitration
description: International arbitration and cross-border disputes skill. Use when the user needs assistance with international arbitration, ICC, LCIA, SIAC, investment arbitration, treaty claims, arbitration clauses, or enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Triggers on keywords like "international arbitration", "ICC", "LCIA", "SIAC", "ICSID", "New York Convention", "arbitration clause", "investment treaty", "BIT", "enforcement", "arbitral award".
author: judicialmind
author_url: https://github.com/judicialmind/legal-skills/tree/main/skills/international-arbitration
license: MIT
version: 0.1.0
execution_mode: open
jurisdiction: cross-jurisdiction
practice: arbitration
language: en
---

# International Arbitration

This skill provides expert guidance for international commercial and investment arbitration.

## Core Capabilities

### 1. Commercial Arbitration
- ICC, LCIA, SIAC arbitration
- Ad hoc arbitration
- Arbitration agreements
- Procedural matters

### 2. Investment Arbitration
- ICSID arbitration
- BIT claims
- Investment treaties
- State-investor disputes

### 3. Enforcement
- New York Convention
- Recognition procedures
- Setting aside challenges
- Execution

### 4. Arbitration Strategy
- Seat selection
- Arbitrator selection
- Procedural strategy
- Cost management

## Commercial Arbitration Institutions

### Major Institutions
| Institution | Seat | Specialty |
|-------------|------|-----------|
| ICC | Paris | General commercial |
| LCIA | London | General commercial |
| SIAC | Singapore | Asia-Pacific |
| HKIAC | Hong Kong | Asia, China-related |
| SCC | Stockholm | Eastern Europe, energy |
| ICDR | New York | Americas |
| VIAC | Vienna | Central Europe |
| DIAC | Dubai | Middle East |
| CIETAC | Beijing | China |

### ICC Arbitration

**Key Features**:
- Terms of Reference
- Scrutiny of awards
- Case management conference
- Expedited procedure available

**ICC Costs**:
- Administrative fee (based on amount in dispute)
- Arbitrator fees (ad valorem)
- Advance on costs

**ICC Timeline**:
```
Request for Arbitration → Answer (30 days) →
Constitution of Tribunal → Terms of Reference →
Case Management Conference → Procedural Timetable →
Written Submissions → Document Production →
Hearing → Post-Hearing Briefs → Award
```

### LCIA Arbitration

**Key Features**:
- Hourly arbitrator fees
- Expedited formation
- Early determination procedure
- Consolidation provisions

**LCIA Advantages**:
- More predictable costs
- Efficient administration
- English law expertise
- Strong confidentiality

### SIAC Arbitration

**Key Features**:
- Expedited procedure (< SGD 6M)
- Emergency arbitrator
- Early dismissal procedure
- Consolidation and joinder

**SIAC for Asia**:
- Neutral seat for region
- Pro-arbitration judiciary
- Strong enforcement record
- Indian and Chinese party acceptance

## Arbitration Agreements

### Essential Elements
```
ARBITRATION CLAUSE - KEY COMPONENTS

1. Agreement to arbitrate
   "Any dispute arising out of or in connection with
   this contract shall be finally resolved by arbitration"

2. Institutional rules or ad hoc
   "under the Rules of the ICC"

3. Seat of arbitration
   "The seat of arbitration shall be Singapore"

4. Number of arbitrators
   "The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three arbitrators"

5. Language
   "The language of the arbitration shall be English"

6. Governing law of contract
   "This contract shall be governed by English law"
```

### Model Clauses

**ICC Model Clause**:
```
"All disputes arising out of or in connection with the
present contract shall be finally settled under the
Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of
Commerce by one or more arbitrators appointed in
accordance with the said Rules."
```

**LCIA Model Clause**:
```
"Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this
contract, including any question regarding its existence,
validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally
resolved by arbitration under the LCIA Rules, which Rules
are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this clause.

The number of arbitrators shall be [one/three].
The seat, or legal place, of arbitration shall be [City].
The language to be used in the arbitral proceedings
shall be [language].
The governing law of the contract shall be the
substantive law of [jurisdiction]."
```

**SIAC Model Clause**:
```
"Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this
contract, including any question regarding its existence,
validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally
resolved by arbitration administered by the Singapore
International Arbitration Centre ("SIAC") in accordance
with the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International
Arbitration Centre ("SIAC Rules") for the time being in
force, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this clause."
```

### Pathological Clauses
| Issue | Problem | Solution |
|-------|---------|----------|
| Non-existent institution | "Chamber of Commerce of Geneva" | Identify correct institution |
| Hybrid clause | "Arbitration or litigation" | Choose one mechanism |
| Impossible procedure | Contradictory requirements | Clarify and amend |
| Missing seat | No seat specified | Default rules apply |

## Arbitral Procedure

### Typical Procedural Timetable
```
PHASE 1: COMMENCEMENT (Weeks 1-8)
- Request/Notice of Arbitration
- Response
- Constitution of Tribunal

PHASE 2: PRELIMINARY (Weeks 9-16)
- Procedural Conference
- Terms of Reference (ICC)
- Procedural Order No. 1
- Document production schedule

PHASE 3: WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS (Weeks 17-32)
- Statement of Claim
- Statement of Defense
- Reply
- Rejoinder

PHASE 4: DOCUMENT PRODUCTION (Weeks 20-28)
- Requests for production
- Objections
- Tribunal decision
- Production

PHASE 5: WITNESS/EXPERT STATEMENTS (Weeks 33-44)
- Fact witness statements
- Expert reports
- Reply statements/reports

PHASE 6: HEARING (Weeks 45-48)
- Pre-hearing conference
- Evidentiary hearing
- Closing submissions

PHASE 7: POST-HEARING (Weeks 49-56)
- Post-hearing briefs
- Cost submissions
- Award
```

### IBA Rules on Evidence
**Document Production** (Article 3):
- Request to produce
- Objections (privilege, confidentiality, unreasonable burden)
- Tribunal decision

**Witness Evidence** (Articles 4-5):
- Written witness statements
- Cross-examination at hearing
- Tribunal examination

**Experts** (Articles 5-6):
- Party-appointed experts
- Tribunal-appointed experts
- Expert conferencing

### Procedural Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| Bifurcation | Separate liability/quantum |
| Document-only arbitration | No oral hearing |
| Witness conferencing | Concurrent expert testimony |
| Chess clock | Time management |
| Tribunal secretary | Administrative support |

## Investment Arbitration

### ICSID Arbitration
**Requirements**:
- Contracting State (or national/entity)
- Written consent
- Legal dispute
- Arising directly out of investment

**ICSID Features**:
- Self-contained system
- No seat in national territory
- Annulment procedure (not appeal)
- Automatic enforcement

### Investment Treaty Protections
| Standard | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| Fair and equitable treatment | Good faith, legitimate expectations |
| Full protection and security | Physical and legal security |
| Non-discrimination | National treatment, MFN |
| Expropriation | Direct and indirect taking |
| Free transfer | Repatriation of funds |
| Umbrella clause | Contractual obligations |

### Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)
**Key Provisions**:
- Definition of investor and investment
- Substantive protections
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
- Duration and termination

**Common Claims**:
- Regulatory expropriation
- FET violations
- Denial of justice
- Arbitrary measures

## New York Convention

### Convention Framework
**Purpose**: Recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards

**Contracting States**: 172 (as of 2024)

**Requirements for Enforcement**:
1. Valid arbitration agreement
2. Proper procedure
3. Award is binding
4. Subject matter arbitrable
5. Not contrary to public policy

### Grounds for Refusal (Article V)
| Ground | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| V(1)(a) | Invalid agreement |
| V(1)(b) | No proper notice, unable to present case |
| V(1)(c) | Award beyond scope |
| V(1)(d) | Composition/procedure not as agreed |
| V(1)(e) | Award not binding or set aside |
| V(2)(a) | Subject matter not arbitrable |
| V(2)(b) | Contrary to public policy |

### Enforcement Procedure
```
1. Obtain certified copy of award
2. Obtain certified copy of arbitration agreement
3. Translate documents (if needed)
4. File application in enforcement court
5. Serve on award debtor
6. Opposition (limited grounds)
7. Court decision
8. Execute judgment
```

## Setting Aside

### Common Grounds
| Jurisdiction | Grounds |
|--------------|---------|
| France | Excess of jurisdiction, due process, public policy |
| England | Substantive jurisdiction, serious irregularity, point of law |
| Singapore | Similar to UNCITRAL Model Law |
| Switzerland | Jurisdiction, composition, due process, public policy |

### Time Limits
| Jurisdiction | Deadline |
|--------------|----------|
| France | 1 month from service |
| England | 28 days from award |
| Singapore | 3 months from receipt |
| Switzerland | 30 days from receipt |

## Costs

### Cost Components
1. **Institutional fees**: Administration
2. **Arbitrator fees**: Time or ad valorem
3. **Legal fees**: Counsel
4. **Expert fees**: Technical experts
5. **Witness expenses**: Travel, preparation
6. **Hearing costs**: Venue, transcription
7. **Translation**: Documents, hearings

### Cost Allocation Approaches
| Approach | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| Costs follow the event | Loser pays (English approach) |
| American rule | Each party bears own costs |
| Proportional | Based on degree of success |
| Mixed | Institution fees shared, legal costs follow event |

### Cost Management
- Early case assessment
- Phased budgeting
- Document production limits
- Efficient hearing management
- Third-party funding consideration

## Emergency Arbitration

### Features
| Institution | Availability | Timeline |
|-------------|--------------|----------|
| ICC | Article 29 | 15 days for decision |
| LCIA | Article 9B | Expedited |
| SIAC | Schedule 1 | 14 days |
| HKIAC | Schedule 4 | 15 days |

### Emergency Relief Types
- Preservation of assets
- Preservation of evidence
- Maintenance of status quo
- Security for claim

## Integration with Other Skills

- **litigation**: Parallel court proceedings
- **contract-lifecycle**: Arbitration clauses
- **corporate-ma**: M&A dispute resolution
- **us-federal-courts**: US enforcement
- **uk-commonwealth**: English arbitration law

## Reference Files

For detailed guidance:
- `references/institution-comparison.md` - Institutional rules comparison
- `references/enforcement-guide.md` - New York Convention procedures
- `references/investment-arbitration.md` - ICSID and BIT claims
