Make a Submission
Vol. 35 (2015)
General Articles

The Distinctive Characteristics of Commercial and Investment Arbitration Proceedings: Lex multiplex, universa curiositas, ius unum?

PDF
  • Konrad Czech
Konrad Czech
New York University School of Law

Published 2016-06-30

Keywords

  • commercial arbitration,
  • evidence,
  • investment arbitration

Copyright (c) 2016 ILS PAS

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

The Distinctive Characteristics of Commercial and Investment Arbitration Proceedings: Lex multiplex, universa curiositas, ius unum?. (2016). Polish Yearbook of International Law, 35, 293-324. https://doi.org/10.7420/pyil2015k

Abstract

The thrust of this article is to examine a contemporary international arbitration process in commercial and investment cases, specifically the interplay of common law and civil law elements in the taking of evidence. It begins with a survey of the provisions of the most popular international arbitration instruments, including international arbitration rules and IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration. Following the discussion of some relevant examples of international arbitration instruments, the author tries to answer the question whether these instruments, in their current form, support the popular thesis that the international arbitration process has become largely harmonized. In trying to verify this thesis, the article also goes beyond the text of international arbitration instruments and considers the influence of the cultural biases of international arbitration actors.

PDF

References

  1. Ahdab J. El, Bouchenaki A., Discovery in international arbitration: A foreign creature for civil lawyers? [in:] A.J. van den Berg (ed.), Arbitration Advocacy in Changing Times, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2011.
  2. Alford R.P., The American influence on international arbitration, “Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution” 2003, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 69–88.
  3. American institutions with the aforementioned guidelines, http://tinyurl.com/grgo648; and http://tinyurl.com/q7yokcb [access: 20.04.2016].
  4. Arbitration Act, http://tinyurl.com/mdsp4dp [access: 20.04.2016].
  5. Arbitration Rules of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, effective 1 January 2010 (the SCC Rules), http://tinyurl.com/oeqglxw [access: 20.04.2016].
  6. Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, 2013, 5th edition (SIAC Rules), http://tinyurl.com/qzjgom8 [access: 20.04.2016].
  7. Ashford P., The IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration: A Guide, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2009.
  8. Bergsten E., Americanization of International Arbitration, “Pace International Law Review” 2006, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 289–301.
  9. Blackaby N., C. Partasides, A. Redfern, M. Hunter, Redfern and Hunter on International Arbitration, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009.
  10. Born G.B., International Arbitration: Law and Practice, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2012.
  11. Born G.B., International Commercial Arbitration, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2009.
  12. Bouchenaki A., The IBA Rules lay the ground for solutions to address electronic document production disputes, “International Arbitration Law Review” 2010, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 180–185.
  13. Brodecki Z., Konopacka M., Brodecka-Chamera A., Komparatystyka kultur prawnych [Comparing legal cultures], Wolters Kluwer, Warszawa 2010.
  14. Browne O.E., London v. Paris: Territorial competition in international commercial arbitration, “International Arbitration Law Review” 2004, vol. 7, no. 1.
  15. Bühring-Uhle Ch., Kirchhof L., Scherer M., Arbitration and Mediation in International Business, Kluwer Law International 2006.
  16. Cairns D.J.A., Advocacy and the functions of lawyers in international arbitration [in:] M.Á. Fernández-Ballesteros, D. Arias (eds.), Liber Amicorum Bernardo Cremades, La Ley 2010, pp. 291–307.
  17. Ceccon R., UNCITRAL notes on organizing arbitral proceedings and the conduct of evidence: A new approach to international arbitration, “Journal of International Arbitration” 1997, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 67–85.
  18. Chase O.G., Legal processes and national culture, “Cardozo Journal of International & Comparative Law” 1997, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–24.
  19. Chase O.G., Walker J. [in:] J. Walker, O.G. Chase (eds.), Common Law, Civil Law and the Future of Categories, LexisNexis 2010.
  20. CIArb with its evidentiary guidelines, http://tinyurl.com/q7z3dld [access: 20.04.2016].
  21. CIArb with the CIArb Protocol for E-disclosure in Arbitration, http://tinyurl.com/hhf597v [access: 20.04.2016].
  22. City University of Hong Kong, International Commercial Arbitration Practices: A Discourse Analytical Study (a socio-linguistic project) http://tinyurl.com/h8acdbu [access: 20.04.2016].
  23. Craig W.L., Park W.W., Paulsson J., International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration, Oceana Publications, New York 2000.
  24. Cremades B.M., Overcoming the clash of legal cultures: The role of interactive arbitration, “Arbitration International” 1998, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 157–172.
  25. D’Allaire D., Trittmann R., Disclosure requests in international commercial arbitration: Finding a balance not only between legal traditions but also between the parties’ rights, “American Review of International Arbitration” 2011, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 119–133.
  26. Damaška M.R., Evidence Law Adrift, Yale University Press, New Haven 1997.
  27. Darwazeh N., The IBA Rules on Evidence in Practice: Document Discovery, IBA Arbitration & ADR News 2003.
  28. Dave D., Should experts be neutrals or advocates? [in:] A.J. van den Berg (ed.), Arbitration Advocacy in Changing Times, ICCA Congress Series 2010, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2011, pp. 149–159.
  29. Dezalay Y., Garth B.G., Dealing in Virtue, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, London 1996.
  30. Dimolitsa A., Giving evidence: Some reflections on oral evidence vs documentary evidence and on the obligations and rights of the witnesses [in:] L. Lévy, V.V. Veder (eds.), Arbitration and Oral Evidence, ICC Publishing S.A., Paris 2005, pp. 11–27.
  31. Elsing S.H., Townsend J.M., Bridging the Common Law-Civil Law divide in arbitration, “Arbitration International” 2002, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 59–66.
  32. Ereciński T., Weitz K., Sąd arbitrażowy [Arbitration tribunal], Lexis Nexis, Warszawa 2008.
  33. Esso Australia Resources Ltd v. Plowman and Ors (1994-95) 183 CLR 10.
  34. Finizio S.P., Speller D., A Practical Guide to International Commercial Arbitration: Assessment, Planning and Strategy, Thomson Reuters, London 2010.
  35. Gaillard E., Savage J. (eds.), Fouchard Gaillard Goldman on International Commercial Arbitration, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 1999.
  36. Glendon M.A., Carozza P.G., Picker C.B., Comparative Legal Traditions: In a Nutshell, St. Paul, Thomson West 2008.
  37. Green M.S., Legal realism as theory of law, “William & Mary Law Review” 2005, vol. 46, no. 6, pp. 1915–2000.
  38. Grigera Naòn H.A., Cultural clashes in international commercial arbitration: How Much of a real issue? [in:] M.Á. Fernández-Ballesteros, D. Arias (eds.), Liber Amicorum Bernardo Cremades, La Ley 2010.
  39. Guidelines on Party Representation in International Arbitration (IBA Guidelines on Party Representation), 2013, http://tinyurl.com/hup2kgn [access: 20.04.2016].
  40. Helmer E.V., International commercial arbitration: Americanized, “civilized”, or harmonized?, “Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution” 2003, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 35–68.
  41. Hill R., The new reality of electronic document production in international arbitration: A catalyst for convergence?, “Arbitration International” 2009, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 87–102.
  42. Hollander P., Brussels Bar Lifts the Traditional Prohibition on Preparatory Contacts between Attorneys and Witnesses, IBA Arbitration & ADR News 2011.
  43. Holzmann H.M., Bernini G., Conclusion by Judge Holtzmann and Professor Bernini [in:] P. Sanders (ed.), Comparative Arbitration Practice and Public Policy in Arbitration, Kluwer Law International, ICCA Congress Series 1987.
  44. Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules, 2013 edition (the HKIAC Rules), http://tinyurl.com/pfoxmc3 [access: 20.04.2016].
  45. Houtte H. van, Counsel-witness relations and professional misconduct in civil law systems, “Arbitration International” 2003, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 457–464.
  46. Houtte H. van, Counsel-witness relations and professional misconduct in civil law systems [in:] L. Lévy, V.V. Veder (eds.), Arbitration and Oral Evidence, ICC Publishing S.A., Paris 2005.
  47. Houtte H. van, The document production master and the experts’ facilitator: Two possible aides for an efficient arbitration [in:] M.Á. Fernández-Ballesteros, D. Arias (eds.), Liber Amicorum Bernardo Cremades, La Ley 2010, pp. 1147–1159.
  48. Hussain R., International arbitration–culture and practices, “Asian International Arbitration Journal” 2013, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–37.
  49. IBA Rules, 2000, http://tinyurl.com/355m4bo [access: 20.04.2016].
  50. ICSID with the text of and information on the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States, http://tinyurl.com/cxn7yok [access: 20.04.2016].
  51. International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Rules, effective 2012 (ICC Rules), http://tinyurl.com/j5pqypw [access: 20.04.2016].
  52. Jamin Ch., Saleilles’ and Lambert’s old dream revisited, “American Journal of Comparative Law” 2002, vol. 50.
  53. Kahn P.W., Freedom, autonomy, and the cultural study of law, “Yale Journal Law & Humanities” 2001, vol. 13, no. 1.
  54. Karamanian S.L., Overstating the “Americanization” of international arbitration: Lessons from ICSID, “Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution” 2003, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 5–34.
  55. Kerr M., Concord and conflict in international arbitration, “Arbitration International” 1997, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 121–143.
  56. Kröner Ch.M.J., Crossing the mare liberum: The settlement of disputes in an interconnected world [in:] E. Verdera y Tuells, J.C. Fernandez Rozas (eds.), “Arbitraje Revista de Arbitraje Comercial y de Inversiones” 2011, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 653–666.
  57. Krużewski B., Biegły w postępowaniu arbitrażowym [An expert witness in arbitration proceeding] [in:] J. Okolski, A. Całus, M. Pazdan, S. Sołtysiński, T. Wardyński, S. Włodyka (eds.), Księga pamiątkowa 60-lecia Sądu Arbitrażowego przy Krajowej Izbie Gospodarczej w Warszawie, Sąd Arbitrażowy, Warszawa 2010.
  58. Kühner D., The revised IBA rules on the taking of evidence in international arbitration, “Journal of International Arbitration” 2010, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 667–677.
  59. LCIA Rules in the 1998 version, http://tinyurl.com/h5j8kkc [access: 20.04.2016].
  60. Legum B., The ten commandments of written advocacy in international arbitration, “Arbitration International” 2013, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 1–6.
  61. Lew J.D.M., Mistelis L.A., Kröll S.M., Comparative International Commercial Arbitration, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2003.
  62. Lew J.D.M., Shore L., International commercial arbitration: Harmonizing cultural differences, “Dispute Resolution Journal” 1999, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 33–38.
  63. London Court of International Arbitration Rules, effective 1 October 2014 (LCIA Rules), http://tinyurl.com/gl9cons [access: 20.04.2016].
  64. Lowenfeld A.F., The two-way mirror: International arbitration as comparative procedure, “Michigan Yearbook of International Legal Studies” 1985, vol. 7, pp. 163–185.
  65. Marriott A.L., Evidence in international arbitration, “Arbitration International” 1989, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 280–290.
  66. Mautner M., Three approaches to law and culture, “Cornell Law Review” 2011, vol. 96, no. 4, pp. 839–867.
  67. Mcilwrath M., Savage J., International Arbitration and Mediation: A Practical Guide, Kluwer Law International, The Hague 2010.
  68. Mezey N., Law as culture symposium: Approaches to the cultural study of law, “Yale Journal of Law & Humanities” 2001, vol. 13, no. 1.
  69. Mistelis L.A., Arbitral seats: Choices and competition [in:] S.M. Kröll, L.A. Mistelis, P.P. Viscasillas, V.M. Rogers (eds.), International Arbitration and International Commercial Law: Synergy, Convergence and Evolution, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2011, pp. 363–379.
  70. NAFTA Secretariat for the text of and information on the North American Free Trade Agreement, http://tinyurl.com/hnsqqzr [access: 20.04.2016].
  71. Nottage L., In/formalisation and Glocalisation of International Commercial Arbitration and Investment Treaty Arbitration in Asia [in:] J. Zekoll, M. Bälz, I. Amelung (eds.), Formalisation and Flexibilisation in Dispute Resolution, Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, Boston 2014, pp. 211–249.
  72. Nottage L., The procedural lex mercatoria: The past, present and future of international commercial arbitration, “Sydney Law School Legal Studies Research Paper” 06/51.
  73. Nottage L., The vicissitudes of transnational commercial arbitration and the lex mercatoria: A View from the periphery, “Arbitration International” 2000, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 53–78.
  74. Nowaczyk P., ‘Clash of cultures’: The cross-culture aspects of a witness examination: Transcript of a presentation given at the Vienna Arbitration Days, 21st February, 2009, “Biuletyn Arbitrażowy” 2009, vol. 10.
  75. Official website of this institution with its new guidelines, http://tinyurl.com/o664rnb [access: 20.04.2016].
  76. Pair L.M., Cross-cultural arbitration: Do the differences between cultures still influence international commercial arbitration despite harmonization?, “ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law” 2002, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 57–74.
  77. Patocchi P.M., Meakin I.L., Procedure and Taking of evidence in international commercial arbitration: The interaction of civil law and common law procedures, “International Business Law Journal” 1996, vol. 7.
  78. Pietrowski R., Evidence in international arbitration, “Arbitration International” 2006, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 373–410.
  79. Queen Mary College, University of London and White & Case, 2012 International Arbitration Survey: Current and Preferred Practices in the Arbitral Process, http://tinyurl.com/gwq338d [access: 20.04.2016].
  80. Reymond C., Civil Law and common law: Which is the most inquisitorial? A civil lawyer’s response, “Arbitration International” 1989, vol. 5, no. 4.
  81. Ricci E.F., Evidence in international arbitration: A synthetic glimpse [in:] M.Á. Fernández-Ballesteros, D. Arias (eds.), Liber Amicorum Bernardo Cremades, La Ley 2010.
  82. Rifkind R.S., Practices of the horseshed: The preparation of witnesses by counsel in America [in:] L. Lévy, V.V. Veder (eds.), Arbitration and Oral Evidence, ICC Publishing S.A., Paris 2005.
  83. Robert J., Administration of evidence in international commercial arbitration, “Yearbook of Commercial Arbitration” 1976, vol. 1.
  84. Rostow E.V., American legal realism and the sense of the profession, “Rocky Mountain Law Review” 1962, vol. 34.
  85. Rubino-Sammartano M., Rules of evidence in international arbitration: A need for discipline and harmonization, “Journal of International Arbitration” 1986, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 87–91.
  86. Rules of Arbitration and Conciliation of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre, effective 1 July 2013 (the VIAC Rules), http://tinyurl.com/jtedrxv [access: 20.04.2016].
  87. Samuelson W., Zeckhauser R., Status quo bias in decision making, “Journal of Risk & Uncertainty” 1988, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 7–59.
  88. Scherer M., The globalization of international commercial arbitration, “La Revue des Jurists” 2010, vol. 2.
  89. Scherer M., The limits of the IBA Rules on the taking of evidence in international arbitration: Document production based on contractual or statutory rights, “International Arbitration Law Review” 2010, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 195–200.
  90. Schlabrendorff F. von, Interviewing and preparing witnesses for testimony in international arbitration proceedings: the quest for developing transnational standards of lawyers’ conduct [in:] M.Á. Fernández-Ballesteros, D. Arias (eds.), Liber Amicorum Bernardo Cremades, La Ley 2010, pp. 1161–1182.
  91. Schneider M.E., A Civil Law perspective: Forget e-discovery [in:] D.J. Howell (ed.), Electronic Disclosure in International Arbitration, JurisNet LLC, New York 2008, pp. 13–37.
  92. Schwarz F.T., Konrad Ch.W., The Vienna Rules: A Commentary on International Arbitration in Austria, Kluwer Law International 2009.
  93. Segesser G. von, The IBA rules on the taking of evidence in international arbitration: Revised version, adopted by the International Bar Association on 29 May 2010, “ASA Bulletin” 2010, vol. 28, no. 4.
  94. Segesser G. von, Witness preparation in international commercial arbitration, “ASA Bulletin” 2002, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 222–228.
  95. Smeureanu I.M., Confidentiality in International Commercial Arbitration, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2011.
  96. Staughton Ch. Lord, Common Law and Civil Law Procedures: Which is the more inquisitorial? A common lawyer’s response, “Arbitration International” 1989, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 357–368.
  97. Tokarczyk R., Komparatystyka prawnicza [Comparative law], Zakamycze, Kraków 2005.
  98. Trakman L.E., ‘Legal traditions’ and international commercial arbitration, “American Review of International Arbitration” 2006, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 1–43.
  99. Tweeddale A., Tweeddale K., Arbitration of Commercial Disputes: International and English Law and Practice, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2005.
  100. UNCITRAL Model Law, http://tinyurl.com/oafrx23 [access: 20.04.2016].
  101. UNCITRAL Notes, http://tinyurl.com/zenmm2w [access: 20.04.2016].
  102. United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Arbitration Rules, as revised in 2010 (UNCITRAL Rules), http://tinyurl.com/277eo76 [access: 20.04.2016].
  103. Vercauteren, The taking of documentary evidence in international arbitration, “American Review of International Arbitration” 2012, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 341–365.
  104. Waincymer J., Procedure and Evidence in International Arbitration, Kluwer Law International, Alphen aan den Rijn 2012.
  105. Ward R.K., The flexibility of evidentiary rules in international trade disputes: Problems posed to American-trained lawyers, “Journal of International Arbitration” 1996, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 5–19.
  106. Wilberforce R.O. Lord, Written briefs and oral advocacy, “Arbitration International” 1989, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 348–351.
  107. Wirth M., Fact witnesses, “International Arbitration Law Review” 2010, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 207–211.
  108. Wiśniewski T., Hauser-Morel M., Postępowanie arbitrażowe [Arbitration proceedings] [in:] A. Szumański (ed.), System prawa handlowego, CH Beck, Warszawa 2010.
  109. Witt Wijnen O. de, Collection of evidence in international arbitration [in:] M.Á. Fernández-Ballesteros, D. Arias (eds.), Liber Amicorum Bernardo Cremades, La Ley 2010.
  110. Wittmer A.V., Witness statements [in:] L. Lévy, V.V. Veder (eds.), Arbitration and Oral Evidence, ICC Publishing S.A., Paris 2005.
  111. Ziadé N.G., Reflections on the role of institutional arbitration between the present and the future, “Arbitration International” 2009, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 427–430.
  112. Zuberbühler T., Hofmann D., Oetiker Ch., Rohner T., IBA Rules of Evidence: Commentary on the IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration, Schulthess, Zürich 2012.

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.