In international arbitration, security for claims, also called security for payment,[1] belongs to a category of interim or provisional measures that can be sought prior to the issuance of the final award. If granted by the arbitral tribunal, it consists in “a kind of advance payment designated to guarantee the payment and/or enforcement of the […]
Electronic Arbitration Agreements: Admissibility and Enforceability
The volume of cross-border commercial transactions conducted electronically is growing inexorably from year to year. Companies around the world are also increasingly using new electronic contracting tools. Many legal questions have arisen against the background of this paperless process concerning the enforceability of electronically-signed documents. The same issue arises in relation to the arbitration agreement. […]
2018 Singapore Convention on Mediation
The United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (“Singapore Convention (on Mediation)”) came into force on 12 September 2020. It creates a harmonized framework for cost-effective and prompt enforcement of international mediated settlement agreements, aiming to render mediation more efficient and attractive to commercial parties globally, as an alternative to international arbitration […]
Enforcement of Arbitral Awards against State Assets: Sovereign Immunity in the United States
The main issue related to enforcement of an arbitral award against a State in the United States is the State’s sovereign immunity. Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (“FSIA”), foreign sovereigns enjoy immunity from jurisdiction, a presumptive immunity from suit in U.S. federal and state courts, and immunity from execution, whereby their property is immune […]
Intra-EU Arbitrations and the Enforcement of ICSID Awards in the United States: the Impact of Achmea
The ICSID Convention requires signatories to treat arbitral awards rendered according to the ICSID framework as if they were a final judgment of a court in that State.[1] To challenge an award, the claimant shall seek review within the ICSID arbitral regime, rather than before State courts.[2] To implement the Convention, the U.S. Congress in […]