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Arbitration Act 1996

1996 c. 23 · Enacted 17 June 1996 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 1 August 2025.

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.[17th June 1996]

E1C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C12C13C14C15C16C17C18C19C20C21C22

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act modified (11.11.1999) by 1999 c. 31, s. 8(1)(2) (with application as mentioned in s. 10(2)(3))

C2

Act excluded (31.1.1997) by 1966 c. 41, s. 3 (as substituted by 1996 c. 23, s. 107(1), Sch. 3 para. 24 (with s. 81(2)); S.I. 1996/3146, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in art. 4, Sch. 2)

Act excluded (1.8.1998) by 1992 c. 52, s. 212A(6) (as inserted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 7; S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

Act excluded (N.I.) (1.3.1999) by S.I. 1998/3162 (N.I. 21), art. 89(6); S.R. 1999/81, art. 3

Act excluded (31.3.2002) by The Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/457), regs. 2, 9(b), 10(1)(b)(4)(b), 11(2), 33(5)(b)(iii), Sch. 1 para. 34

Act excluded (31.3.2002) by The Dairy Produce Quotas (Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/897), regs. 2, 9(b), 10(1)(b)(4)(b), 11(2), 33(5)(b)(iii), Sch. 1 para. 34

C3

Power to apply conferred (11.9.1996 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.5.1998) by 1996 c. 53, s. 108(6); S.I. 1996/2352, art. 2(2); S. I. 1998/650, art. 2

C4

Act applied (E.) (4.7.2002) by Vehicular Access Across Common and Other Land (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1711), regs. 1, 12(3)(b)

C5

Act applied (W.) (9.2.2004) by The Vehicular Access Across Common and Other Land (Wales) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/248), regs. 1, 12(3)(b)

C6

Act excluded (31.3.2005) by The Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/465), regs. 10(2), 11, 12(3), 39(4), Sch. 1 para. 34

C7

Act excluded (W.) (31.3.2005) by The Dairy Produce Quotas (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/537), regs. 10(2), 11, 12(3), 39(4), Sch. 1 para. 34

C8

Act applied (W.) (13.1.2006) by The Tir Cynnal (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/41), reg. 13(3)

C9

Act applied (E.W.) (10.11.2008) by The Land Registration Rules 2003 (S.I. 2003/1417), rule 194A(4)(b) (as inserted by The Land Registration (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/1919), rule 4(1), Sch. 1 para. 61)

C10

Act applied (E.W.) (10.11.2008) by The Land Registration Rules 2003 (S.I. 2003/1417), rule 194C(3)(b) (as inserted by The Land Registration (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/1919), rule 4(1), Sch. 1 para. 61)

C11

Act: functions transferred (N.I.) (12.4.2010) by virtue of The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 15(1), Sch. 17 para. 13 (with arts. 28-31)

C12

Act applied (N.I.) (14.2.2016) by The Animal Feed (Hygiene, Sampling etc. and Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/5), reg. 28(7)

C13

Act applied (10.8.2016) by The York Potash Harbour Facilities Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/772), Sch. 10 para. 21(7) (with arts. 35, 36)

C14

Act applied (20.5.2018) by The Motorcycles (Type-Approval) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/235), Sch. 1 para. 13(2)(a) (with reg. 1(c), Sch. 1 paras. 16, 17)

C15

Act applied (20.5.2018) by The Agricultural and Forestry Vehicles (Type-Approval) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/236), Sch. 1 para. 13(2)(a) (with reg. 1(c), Sch. 1 paras. 16, 17)

C16

Act applied (21.9.2018) by The Non-Road Mobile Machinery (Type-Approval and Emission of Gaseous and Particulate Pollutants) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/764), Sch. 1 para. 13(2)(a) (with reg. 1(c))

C17

Act applied (1.9.2020) by The Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/818), reg. 1(b), Sch. 4 para. 13(2)(a) (with Sch. 4 paras. 16, 17)

C18

Act applied (with modifications) (22.4.2022) by The East Anglia TWO Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/433), art. 1(2), Sch. 15 paras. 4, 5 (with arts. 40, 41)

C19

Act applied (with modifications) (22.4.2022) by The East Anglia ONE North Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/432), art. 1(2), Sch. 15 para. 4(1) (with arts. 40, 41)

C20

Act applied (E.W.) (30.6.2022) by The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1467), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 7(2)(a) (with reg. 3)

C21

Act applied (24.11.2023) by The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1168), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 7(2)

C22

Act applied (with modifications) (15.2.2025) by The West Burton Solar Project Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/116), art. 1, Sch. 14 para. 5 (with art. 47, Sch. 15)

Extent

E1

This Act extends to England, Wales and Northern Ireland; for exceptions see s.108

Contents

  1. Part I: Arbitration pursuant to an arbitration agreement
  2. Introductory
  3. 1General principles.
  4. 2Scope of application of provisions.
  5. 3The seat of the arbitration.
  6. 4Mandatory and non-mandatory provisions.
  7. 5Agreements to be in writing.
  8. The arbitration agreement
  9. 6Definition of arbitration agreement.
  10. 6ALaw applicable to arbitration agreement
  11. 7Separability of arbitration agreement.
  12. 8Whether agreement discharged by death of a party.
  13. Stay of legal proceedings
  14. 9Stay of legal proceedings.
  15. 10Reference of interpleader issue to arbitration.
  16. 11Retention of security where Admiralty proceedings stayed.
  17. Commencement of arbitral proceedings
  18. 12Power of court to extend time for beginning arbitral proceedings, &c.
  19. 13Application of Limitation Acts.
  20. 14Commencement of arbitral proceedings.
  21. The arbitral tribunal
  22. 15The arbitral tribunal.
  23. 16Procedure for appointment of arbitrators.
  24. 17Power in case of default to appoint sole arbitrator.
  25. 18Failure of appointment procedure.
  26. 19Court to have regard to agreed qualifications.
  27. 20Chairman.
  28. 21Umpire.
  29. 22Decision-making where no chairman or umpire.
  30. 23Revocation of arbitrator’s authority.
  31. 23AImpartiality: duty of disclosure
  32. 24Power of court to remove arbitrator.
  33. 25Resignation of arbitrator : entitlement to fees or expenses.
  34. 26Death of arbitrator or person appointing him.
  35. 27Filling of vacancy, &c.
  36. 28Joint and several liability of parties to arbitrators for fees and expenses.
  37. 29Immunity of arbitrator.
  38. Jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal
  39. 30Competence of tribunal to rule on its own jurisdiction.
  40. 31Objection to substantive jurisdiction of tribunal.
  41. 32Determination of preliminary point of jurisdiction.
  42. The arbitral proceedings
  43. 33General duty of the tribunal.
  44. 34Procedural and evidential matters.
  45. 35Consolidation of proceedings and concurrent hearings.
  46. 36Legal or other representation.
  47. 37Power to appoint experts, legal advisers or assessors.
  48. 38General powers exercisable by the tribunal.
  49. 39Power to make provisional awards.
  50. 39APower to make award on summary basis
  51. 40General duty of parties.
  52. 41Powers of tribunal in case of party’s default.
  53. 41AEmergency arbitrators
  54. Powers of court in relation to arbitral proceedings
  55. 42Enforcement of peremptory orders of tribunal or emergency arbitrator.
  56. 43Securing the attendance of witnesses.
  57. 44Court powers exercisable in support of arbitral proceedings.
  58. 45Determination of preliminary point of law.
  59. The award
  60. 46Rules applicable to substance of dispute.
  61. 47Awards on different issues, &c.
  62. 48Remedies.
  63. 49Interest.
  64. 50Extension of time for making award.
  65. 51Settlement.
  66. 52Form of award.
  67. 53Place where award treated as made.
  68. 54Date of award.
  69. 55Notification of award.
  70. 56Power to withhold award in case of non-payment.
  71. 57Correction of award or additional award.
  72. 58Effect of award.
  73. Costs of the arbitration
  74. 59Costs of the arbitration.
  75. 60Agreement to pay costs in any event.
  76. 61Award of costs.
  77. 62Effect of agreement or award about costs.
  78. 63The recoverable costs of the arbitration.
  79. 64Recoverable fees and expenses of arbitrators.
  80. 65Power to limit recoverable costs.
  81. Powers of the court in relation to award
  82. 66Enforcement of the award.
  83. 67Challenging the award: substantive jurisdiction.
  84. 68Challenging the award: serious irregularity.
  85. 69Appeal on point of law.
  86. 70Challenge or appeal: supplementary provisions.
  87. 71Challenge or appeal: effect of order of court.
  88. Miscellaneous
  89. 72Saving for rights of person who takes no part in proceedings.
  90. 73Loss of right to object.
  91. 74Immunity of arbitral institutions, &c.
  92. 75Charge to secure payment of solicitors’ costs.
  93. Supplementary
  94. 76Service of notices, &c.
  95. 77Powers of court in relation to service of documents.
  96. 78Reckoning periods of time.
  97. 79Power of court to extend time limits relating to arbitral proceedings.
  98. 80Notice and other requirements in connection with legal proceedings.
  99. 81Saving for certain matters governed by common law.
  100. 82Minor definitions.
  101. 83Index of defined expressions: Part I.
  102. 84Transitional provisions.
  103. Part II: Other provisions relating to arbitration
  104. ...
  105. 85Modification of Part I in relation to domestic arbitration agreement. Not yet in force
  106. 86Staying of legal proceedings. Not yet in force
  107. 87Effectiveness of agreement to exclude court’s jurisdiction. Not yet in force
  108. 88Power to repeal or amend sections 85 to 87. Repealed
  109. Consumer arbitration agreements
  110. 89Application of unfair terms regulations to consumer arbitration agreements.
  111. 90Part applies where consumer is a legal person
  112. 91Arbitration agreement unfair where modest amount sought.
  113. Small claims arbitration in the county court
  114. 92Exclusion of Part I in relation to small claims arbitration in the county court.
  115. Appointment of judges as arbitrators
  116. 93Appointment of judges as arbitrators.
  117. Statutory arbitrations
  118. 94Application of Part I to statutory arbitrations.
  119. 95General adaptation of provisions in relation to statutory arbitrations.
  120. 96Specific adaptations of provisions in relation to statutory arbitrations.
  121. 97Provisions excluded from applying to statutory arbitrations.
  122. 98Power to make further provision by regulations.
  123. Part III: Recognition and enforcement of certain foreign awards
  124. Enforcement of Geneva Convention awards
  125. 99Continuation of Part II of the Arbitration Act 1950.
  126. Recognition and enforcement of New York Convention awards
  127. 100New York Convention awards.
  128. 101Recognition and enforcement of awards.
  129. 102Evidence to be produced by party seeking recognition or enforcement.
  130. 103Refusal of recognition or enforcement.
  131. 104Saving for other bases of recognition or enforcement.
  132. Part IV: General provisions
  133. 105Meaning of “the court”: jurisdiction of High Court and county court.
  134. 106Crown application.
  135. 107Consequential amendments and repeals.
  136. 108Extent.
  137. 109Commencement.
  138. 110Short title.
  139. Schedule 1: Mandatory provisions of Part I
  140. Paragraph
  141. Schedule 2: Modifications of Part I in relation to judge-arbitrators
  142. Introductory
  143. 1Paragraph 1
  144. General
  145. 2Paragraph 2
  146. Arbitrator’s fees
  147. 3Paragraph 3
  148. Exercise of court powers in support of arbitration
  149. 4Paragraph 4
  150. Extension of time for making award
  151. 5Paragraph 5
  152. Withholding award in case of non-payment
  153. 6Paragraph 6
  154. 7Paragraph 7
  155. Correction of award or additional award
  156. 8Paragraph 8
  157. Costs
  158. 9Paragraph 9
  159. 10Paragraph 10
  160. Enforcement of award
  161. 11Paragraph 11
  162. Solicitors’ costs
  163. 12Paragraph 12
  164. Powers of court in relation to service of documents
  165. 13Paragraph 13
  166. Powers of court to extend time limits relating to arbitral proceedings
  167. 14Paragraph 14
  168. Schedule 3: Consequential amendments
  169. Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (c.60)
  170. 1Paragraph 1
  171. Stannaries Court (Abolition) Act 1896 (c.45)
  172. 2Paragraph 2
  173. Tithe Act 1936 (c.43)
  174. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  175. Education Act 1944 (c.31)
  176. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  177. Commonwealth Telegraphs Act 1949 (c.39)
  178. 5Paragraph 5
  179. Lands Tribunal Act 1949 (c.42)
  180. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  181. Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (c.54)
  182. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  183. Patents Act 1949 (c.87)
  184. 8Paragraph 8
  185. National Health Service (Amendment) Act 1949 (c.93)
  186. 9Paragraph 9
  187. Arbitration Act 1950 (c.27)
  188. 10Paragraph 10
  189. Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c.33 (N.I.))
  190. 11Paragraph 11
  191. Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 (c.47)
  192. 12Paragraph 12
  193. Carriage by Air Act 1961 (c.27)
  194. 13Paragraph 13
  195. Factories Act 1961 (c.34)
  196. 14Paragraph 14
  197. Clergy Pensions Measure 1961 (No. 3)
  198. 15Paragraph 15
  199. Transport Act 1962 (c.46)
  200. 16Paragraph 16
  201. Corn Rents Act 1963 (c.14)
  202. 17Paragraph 17
  203. Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 (c.14)
  204. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  205. Lands Tribunal and Compensation Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 (c.29 (N.I.))
  206. 19Paragraph 19
  207. Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 (c.12)
  208. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  209. Carriage of Goods by Road Act 1965 (c.37)
  210. 21Paragraph 21
  211. Factories Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 (c.20 (N.I.))
  212. 22Paragraph 22
  213. Commonwealth Secretariat Act 1966 (c.10)
  214. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  215. Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1966 (c.41)
  216. 24Paragraph 24
  217. Poultry Improvement Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (c.12 (N.I.))
  218. 25Paragraph 25
  219. Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 (c.24 (N.I.))
  220. 26Paragraph 26
  221. Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (N.I.14)
  222. 27Paragraph 27
  223. Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c.39)
  224. 28Paragraph 28
  225. Friendly Societies Act 1974 (c.46)
  226. 29Paragraph 29
  227. Industry Act 1975 (c.68)
  228. 30Paragraph 30
  229. Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (N.I.16)
  230. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  231. Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977 (c.3)
  232. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  233. Patents Act 1977 (c.37)
  234. 33Paragraph 33
  235. Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (c.23)
  236. 34Paragraph 34
  237. Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (N.I.9)
  238. 35Paragraph 35
  239. County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 (N.I.3)
  240. 36Paragraph 36
  241. Supreme Court Act 1981 (c.54)
  242. 37Paragraph 37
  243. Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Act 1982 (c.37)
  244. 38Paragraph 38
  245. Agricultural Marketing (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 (N.I.12)
  246. 39Paragraph 39
  247. Mental Health Act 1983 (c.20)
  248. 40Paragraph 40
  249. Registered Homes Act 1984 (c.23)
  250. 41Paragraph 41
  251. Housing Act 1985 (c.68)
  252. 42Paragraph 42
  253. Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (c.70)
  254. 43Paragraph 43 Repealed
  255. Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (N.I.12)
  256. 44Paragraph 44
  257. Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (c.5)
  258. 45Paragraph 45 Repealed
  259. Insolvency Act 1986 (c.45)
  260. 46Paragraph 46
  261. Building Societies Act 1986 (c.53)
  262. 47Paragraph 47
  263. Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (N.I.4)
  264. 48Paragraph 48
  265. Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Act 1988 (c.8)
  266. 49Paragraph 49
  267. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c.48)
  268. 50Paragraph 50
  269. Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c.32)
  270. 51Paragraph 51 Repealed
  271. Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (N.I.11)
  272. 52Paragraph 52
  273. Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (N.I.19)
  274. 53Paragraph 53
  275. Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5)
  276. 54Paragraph 54
  277. Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c.8)
  278. 55Paragraph 55 Repealed
  279. Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c.52)
  280. 56Paragraph 56
  281. Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (N.I.5)
  282. 57Paragraph 57
  283. Registered Homes (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (N.I.20)
  284. 58Paragraph 58
  285. Education Act 1993 (c.35)
  286. 59Paragraph 59 Repealed
  287. Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 (N.I.15)
  288. 60Paragraph 60
  289. Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c.21)
  290. 61Paragraph 61
  291. Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (c.17)
  292. 62Paragraph 62
  293. Schedule 4: Repeals