Arbitration Act 2010

Arbitration Act 2010 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2010 Arbitration Act 2010 Arbitration Act 2010 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 1 of 2010 ARBITRATION ACT 2010 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART 1 Preliminary and General Section 1. Short title and commencement. 2. Interpretation. 3. Application of Act. 4. Repeals and effect of repeals. 5. Expenses. PART 2 Arbitration 6. Adoption of Model Law. 7. Commencement of arbitral proceedings. 8. Construction of Model Law and construction of arbitration clauses. 9. Functions of High Court. 10. Court powers exercisable in support of arbitral proceedings. 11. Determination of court to be final. 12. Time limits for setting aside awards on grounds of public policy. 13. Default number of arbitrators. 14. Examination of witnesses. 15. Taking evidence in State in aid of foreign arbitration. 16. Consolidation of and concurrent arbitrations. 17. Reference of interpleader to arbitration. 18. Interest. 19. Security for costs. 20. Specific performance. 21. Recoverability of costs, fees and expenses of tribunal. 22. Restriction on liability of arbitrators, etc. 23. Effect of award. 24. New York Convention, Geneva Convention and Geneva Protocol. 25. Non-application of provisions of Act to Washington Convention, save in certain circumstances. 26. Survival of agreement and authority of arbitral tribunal in event of death. 27. Provisions in event of bankruptcy. 28. Full applicability to State parties. 29. Application of Act to arbitrations under other Acts. 30. Exclusion of certain arbitrations. 31. Arbitration agreements and small claims, etc. PART 3 Reference to Arbitration Where Proceedings Pending Before Court 32. Power of High Court and Circuit Court to adjourn proceedings to facilitate arbitration. SCHEDULE 1 TEXT OF UNCITRAL MODEL LAW ON INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION SCHEDULE 2 TEXT OF 1958 CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS SCHEDULE 3 TEXT OF 1965 CONVENTION ON THE SETTLEMENT OF INVESTMENT DISPUTES BETWEEN STATES AND NATIONALS OF OTHER STATES SCHEDULE 4 TEXT OF 1927 CONVENTION ON THE EXECUTION OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS SCHEDULE 5 TEXT OF 1923 PROTOCOL ON ARBITRATION CLAUSES SCHEDULE 6 CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS Acts Referred to Arbitration Act 1954 1954, No. 26 Arbitration Acts 1954 to 1998 Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 2000, No. 28 Industrial Relations Act 1946 1946, No. 26 Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1967 1967, No. 3 Legal Practitioners (Ireland) Act 1876 39 & 40 Vict., c. 44 Merchant Shipping Act 1894 57 & 58 Vict., c. 60 Patents Act 1992 1992, No. 1 Property Values (Arbitration and Appeals) Act 1960 1960, No. 45 Statute of Limitations 1957 1957, No. 6 Number 1 of 2010 ARBITRATION ACT 2010 AN ACT TO FURTHER AND BETTER FACILITATE RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES BY ARBITRATION; TO GIVE THE FORCE OF LAW TO THE UNCITRAL MODEL LAW ON INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION (AS AMENDED BY THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW ON 7 JULY 2006) IN RESPECT OF BOTH INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION AND OTHER ARBITRATION; TO GIVE THE FORCE OF LAW TO THE PROTOCOL ON ARBITRATION CLAUSES OPENED AT GENEVA ON THE 24TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1923, THE CONVENTION ON THE EXECUTION OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS DONE AT GENEVA ON THE 26TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1927, THE CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS DONE AT NEW YORK ON 10 JUNE 1958 AND TO THE CONVENTION ON THE SETTLEMENT OF INVESTMENT DISPUTES BETWEEN STATES AND NATIONALS OF OTHER STATES OPENED FOR SIGNATURE IN WASHINGTON ON 18 MARCH 1965; TO REPEAL THE ARBITRATION ACTS 1954 TO 1998; AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [8th March, 2010] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS: PART 1 Preliminary and General Short title and commencement. 1.— (1) This Act may be cited as the Arbitration Act 2010. (2) This Act shall come into operation 3 months after its passing. Interpretation. 2.— (1) In this Act: “arbitration” means— (a) an international commercial arbitration, or (b) an arbitration which is not an international commercial arbitration; “arbitration agreement” shall be construed in accordance with Option 1 of Article 7; “award” includes a partial award; “consumer” means a natural person, whether in the State or not, who is acting for purposes outside the person’s trade, business or profession; “Geneva Convention” means the Convention on the Execution of Foreign Arbitral Awards done at Geneva on the 26th day of September, 1927, the text of which is set out in Schedule 4 ; “Geneva Protocol” means the Protocol on Arbitration Clauses opened at Geneva on the 24th day of September, 1923, the text of which is set out in Schedule 5 ; “Minister” means the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform; “ Model Law ” means the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (as adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on 21 June 1985, with amendments as adopted by that Commission at its thirty-ninth session on 7 July 2006), the text of which is set out in Schedule 1 ; “New York Convention” means the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, done at New York on 10 June 1958, the text of which is set out in Schedule 2 ; “State authority” means— (a) a Minister of the Government, (b) the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, (c) the Irish Land Commission, (d) the Revenue Commissioners, (e) a body established by or under any enactment, andfinanced wholly or partly, whether directly or indirectly, by moneys provided, or loans made or guaranteed, by a Minister of the Government or the issue of shares held by or on behalf of any Minister of the Government; “Washington Convention” means the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States opened for signature in Washington on 18 March 1965, the text of which is set out in Schedule 3 . (2) In this Act— (a) a word or expression that is used in this Act and that is also used in the Model Law has, unless the context otherwise requires, the same meaning in this Act as it has in the Model Law, and (b) a reference to an Article is a reference to an Article of the Model Law. Application of Act. 3.— (1) This Act shall not apply to an arbitration under an arbitration agreement concerning an arbitration which has commenced before the operative date but shall apply to an arbitration commenced on or after the operative date. (2) In this section, “operative date” means the date on which this Act comes into operation pursuant to section 1 . Repeals and effect of repeals. 4.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Arbitration Acts 1954 to 1998 are repealed. (2) Subject to section 3 , the repeal of the Acts referred to in subsection (1) shall not prejudice or affect any proceedings, whether or not pending at the time of the repeal, in respect of any right, privilege, obligation or liability and any proceedings taken under those Acts in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the Acts may be instituted, continued or enforced as if the Acts concerned had not been repealed. (3) In this section “proceedings” includes arbitral proceedings and civil or criminal proceedings. Expenses. 5.— The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. PART 2 Arbitration Adoption of Model Law. 6.— Subject to this Act, the Model Law shall have the force of law in the State and shall apply to arbitrations under arbitration agreements concerning— (a) international commercial arbitrations, or (b) arbitrations which are not international commercial arbitrations. Commencement of arbitral proceedings. 7.— (1) For the purposes of this Act and for the purposes of section 496 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (as amended by section 29 ) arbitral proceedings shall be deemed to be commenced on— (a) the date on which the parties to an arbitration agreement so provide as being the commencement date for the purposes of the commencement of arbitral proceedings under the agreement, or (b) where no provision has been made by the parties as to commencement of proceedings as referred to in paragraph (a), the date on which a written communication containing a request for the dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent. (2) The Statute of Limitations 1957 is amended by substituting the following section for section 74: “74.— (1) For the purposes of this Act and for the purposes of any other limitation enactment, arbitral proceedings shall be deemed to be commenced on— (a) the date on which the parties to an arbitration agreement so provide as being the commencement date for the purposes of the commencement of arbitral proceedings under the agreement, or (b) where no provision has been made by the parties as to commencement as referred to in paragraph (a), the date on which a written communication containing a request for the dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), unless the parties otherwise agree, a written communication is deemed to have been received if it is served or given to the respondent in one or more of the following ways: (a) by delivering it to the respondent personally; (b) by delivering it to the respondent’s place of business, habitual residence or postal address; (c) where none of the addresses referred to in paragraph (b) can be found after making reasonable inquiry, by sending it by pre-paid registered post or by any other form of recorded delivery service addressed to the respondent at his or her last known place of business, habitual residence or postal address. (3) Unless the parties otherwise agree, where a written communication under this section has been delivered to a respondent in accordance with subsection (2), the communication is deemed to have been received on the day it was so delivered. (4) For the purposes of subsection (2), a company registered under the Companies Acts shall be deemed to be habitually resident at its registered office in the State and every other body corporate (wherever it is incorporated) and every unincorporated body (wherever it carries out its activities) shall be deemed to be habitually resident at its principal office or place of business.”. Construction of Model Law and construction of arbitration clauses. 8.— (1) Judicial notice shall be taken of the travaux préparatoires of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and its working group relating to the preparation of the Model Law. (2) The travaux préparatoires referred to in subsection (1) may be considered when interpreting the meaning of any provision of the Model Law and shall be given such weight as is appropriate in the circumstances. (3) Where parties agree that disputes under a contract or agreement or disputes arising out of a contract or agreement shall be submitted to arbitration, this shall include disputes as to the existence or validity of the contract or agreement. Functions of High Court. 9.— (1) The High Court is— (a) specified for the purposes of Article 6, (b) the relevant court for the purposes of Article 9, and (c) the court of competent jurisdiction for the purposes of Articles 17H, 17I, 17J, 27, 35 and 36. (2) The functions of the High Court— (a) under an Article referred to in subsection (1), or (b) under sections 10 , 23 or 25 , shall be performed by the President or by such other judge of the High Court as may be nominated by the President, subject to any rules of court made in that behalf. (3) An application may be made in summary manner to the President or to such other judge of the High Court as may be nominated by the President under subsection (2). (4) In this section “ President ” means the President of the High Court. Court powers exercisable in support of arbitral proceedings. 10.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), the High Court shall have the same powers in relation to Articles 9 and 27 as it has in any other action or matter before the Court. (2) When exercising any powers in relation to Articles 9 or 27, the High Court shall not, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, make any order relating to security for costs of the arbitration or make any order for discovery of documents. Determination of court to be final. 11.— There shall be no appeal from— (a) any court determination of a stay application, pursuant to Article 8(1) of the Model Law or Article II(3) of the New York Convention, (b) any determination by the High Court— (i) of an application for setting aside an award under Article 34 of the Model Law, or (ii) of an application under Chapter VIII of the Model Law for the recognition and enforcement of an award made in an international commercial arbitration, or (c) any determination by the High Court in relation to an application to recognise or enforce an arbitral award pursuant to the Geneva Convention, New York Convention or Washington Convention. Time limits for setting aside awards on grounds of public policy. 12.— Notwithstanding Article 34(3), an application to the High Court to set aside an award on the grounds that the award is in conflict with the public policy of the State shall be made within a period of 56 days from the date on which the circumstances giving rise to the application became known or ought reasonably to have become known to the party concerned. Default number of arbitrators. 13.— Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall consist of one arbitrator only. Examination of witnesses. 14.— Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may for the purposes of the arbitral proceedings concerned— (a) direct that a party to an arbitration agreement or a witness who gives evidence in proceedings before the arbitral tribunal be examined on oath or on affirmation, and (b) administer oaths or affirmations for the purposes of the examination. Taking evidence in State in aid of foreign arbitration. 15.— The reference in Article 27 to an arbitral tribunal includes a reference to an arbitral tribunal conducting arbitral proceedings in a place other than the State. Consolidation of and concurrent arbitrations. 16.— (1) Where the parties to an arbitration agreement so agree— (a) arbitral proceedings shall be consolidated with other arbitral proceedings, including arbitral proceedings involving a different party or parties with the agreement of that party or parties, (b) concurrent hearings shall be held, on such terms as may be agreed between the parties concerned. (2) The arbitral tribunal shall not order the consolidation of proceedings or concurrent hearings unless the parties agree to the making of such an order. Reference of interpleader to arbitration. 17.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), where in legal proceedings relief by way of interpleader is granted by a court and it appears to the court that the issue between the claimants is one in respect of which there is an arbitration agreement between the claimants, the court shall direct that the issue between the claimants be determined in accordance with the agreement. (2) A court shall not direct that the issue between the claimants referred to in subsection (1) be determined in accordance with the arbitration agreement concerned where the court finds that the arbitration agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed. (3) Where subsection (1) applies but the court does not direct that the issue be determined in accordance with the arbitration agreement, any provision that an award is a condition precedent to the bringing of legal proceedings in respect of any matter shall not affect the determination of that issue by the court. Interest. 18.— (1) The parties to an arbitration agreement may agree on the arbitral tribunal’s powers regarding the award of interest. (2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may award simple or compound interest from the dates, at the rates and with the rests that it considers fair and reasonable— (a) on all or part of any amount awarded by the arbitral tribunal, in respect of any period up to the date of the award, or (b) on all or part of any amount claimed in the arbitration and outstanding at the commencement of the arbitration but paid before the award was made, in respect of any period up to the date of payment. (3) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may award simple or compound interest from the date of the award (or any later date) until payment, at the rates and with the rests that it considers fair and reasonable, on the outstanding amount of any award (including any award of interest under subsection (2) and any award of costs). (4) References in this section to an amount awarded by the arbitral tribunal include an amount payable in consequence of a declaratory award by the arbitral tribunal. (5) This section is without prejudice to any other power of the arbitral tribunal to award interest. Security for costs. 19.— (1) Without prejudice to the generality of Article 19, the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, order a party to provide security for the costs of the arbitration. (2) A party shall not be ordered by an arbitral tribunal to provide security for the costs of the arbitration solely on the ground that the party is— (a) an individual who is domiciled, habitually resident, or carrying on business outside the State, or (b) a body corporate established under a law of a place other than the State or whose central management and control is situated outside the State. Specific performance. 20.— Without prejudice to the generality of the Model Law, an arbitral tribunal shall, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, have the power to make an award requiring specific performance of a contract (other than a contract for the sale of land). Recoverability of costs, fees and expenses of tribunal. 21.— (1) The parties to an arbitration agreement may make such provision as to the costs of the arbitration as they see fit. (2) An agreement of the parties to arbitrate subject to the rules of an arbitral institution shall be deemed to be an agreement to abide by the rules of that institution as to the costs of the arbitration. (3) Where no provision for costs is made as referred to in subsection (1) or where a consumer is not bound by an agreement as to costs pursuant to subsection (6), the arbitral tribunal shall, subject to subsection (4), determine by award those costs as it sees fit. (4) In the case of an arbitration (other than an international commercial arbitration) the arbitral tribunal shall, on the request of any of the parties to the proceedings made not later than 21 working days after the determination by the tribunal in relation to costs, make an order for the taxation of costs of the arbitration by a Taxing Master of the High Court, or as the case may be, the County Registrar; and the Taxing Master, or as the case may be, the County Registrar, shall in relation to any such taxation, have (with any necessary modifications) all the functions for the time being conferred on him or her under any enactment or in any rules of court in relation to the taxation of costs to be paid by one party to another in proceedings before a court. (5) Where the arbitral tribunal makes a determination under subsection (3), it shall specify— (a) the grounds on which it acted, (b) the items of recoverable costs, fees or expenses, as appropriate, and the amount referable to each, and (c) by and to whom they shall be paid. (6) Without prejudice to the generality of the European Communities (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) Regulations 1995 and 2000, an arbitration agreement— (a) to which one of the parties to the agreement is a consumer, and (b) a term of which provides that each party shall bear his or her own costs, shall be deemed to be an unfair term for the purposes of those Regulations. (7) Section 3 of the Legal Practitioners (Ireland) Act 1876 shall apply as if an arbitration were a proceeding in the High Court and the Court may make declarations and orders accordingly. (8) In this section references to— “costs” include costs as between the parties and the fees and expenses of the arbitral tribunal; “ fees and expenses of the arbitral tribunal ” include the fees and expenses of any expert appointed by the tribunal. Restriction on liability of arbitrators, etc. 22.— (1) An arbitrator shall not be liable in any proceedings for anything done or omitted in the discharge or purported discharge of his or her functions. (2) Subsection (1) shall apply to an employee, agent or advisor of an arbitrator and to an expert appointed under Article 26, as it applies to the arbitrator. (3) An arbitral or other institution or person designated or requested by the parties to appoint or nominate an arbitrator shall not be liable for anything done or omitted in the discharge or purported discharge of that function. (4) An arbitral or other institution or person by whom an arbitrator is appointed or nominated shall not be liable for anything done or omitted by the arbitrator (or his or her employees or agents) in the discharge or purported discharge of his or her functions as arbitrator. (5) Subsections (3) and (4) shall apply to an employee or agent of an arbitral or other institution or person as they apply to that arbitral or other institution or that person mentioned in those subsections. Effect of award. 23.— (1) An award (other than an award within the meaning of section 25 ) made by an arbitral tribunal under an arbitration agreement shall be enforceable in the State either by action or, by leave of the High Court, in the same manner as a judgment or order of that Court with the same effect and where leave is given, judgment may be entered in terms of the award. (2) An award that is referred to in subsection (1) shall, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, be treated as binding for all purposes on the parties between whom it was made, and may accordingly be relied on by any of those parties by way of defence, set-off or otherwise in any legal proceedings in the State. (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the recognition or enforcement of an award under the Geneva Convention, the New York Convention or the Washington Convention. (4) Articles 35 and 36 shall not apply in respect of an award in arbitral proceedings which took place in the State. New York Convention, Geneva Convention and Geneva Protocol. 24.— (1) Subject to this Act— (a) the New York Convention, (b) the Geneva Convention, and (c) the Geneva Protocol, shall have the force of law in the State. (2) Subject to this Act, Article II(2) and Article VII(1) of the New York Convention shall be interpreted in accordance with the recommendation adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on 7 July 2006 at its thirty-ninth session concerning the interpretation of those Articles. (3) Subject to this Act, Article II(3) of the New York Convention shall be construed in accordance with Article 8 of the Model Law. (4) The Minister for Foreign Affairs may by order declare that any state specified in the order is a party to the New York Convention and, while such order is in force, the order shall be evidence that such state is a party to the Convention. Non-application of provisions of Act to Washington Convention, save in certain circumstances. 25.— (1) This Act other than— (a) sections 11 , 14 and 15 , and (b) section 6 , in so far as it gives the force of law to Article 8(1) of the Model Law, shall not apply to proceedings pursuant to the Washington Convention. (2) In this section, “award” means an award rendered pursuant to the Washington Convention and includes any decision made— (a) pursuant to Article 49(2) of that Convention in relation to any question which the Tribunal referred to in that Article had omitted to decide in the award, or in relation to the rectification of any clerical, arithmetical or similar error in the award, (b) pursuant to Articles 50, 51 and 52 of that Convention, interpreting, revising or annulling the award, and (c) pursuant to Article 61(2) of that Convention in relation to costs. (3) Subject to this Act, the Washington Convention shall have the force of law in the State. (4) The Minister for Finance may discharge any obligations of the Government arising under Article 17 of the Washington Convention and any sums required for this purpose; and any administrative expenses incurred by the Minister for Finance as a result of acceptance by the State of the Washington Convention shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. (5) The pecuniary obligations imposed by an award shall, by leave of the High Court, be enforceable in the same manner as a judgment or order of the High Court to the same effect and, where leave is so given, judgment may be entered for the amount due or, as the case may be, the balance outstanding under the award. (6) Any person who applies to the High Court under subsection (5) for leave to enforce the pecuniary obligations imposed by an award shall lodge with his or her application a copy of the award certified in accordance with Article 54(2) of the Washington Convention. (7) Where an application is made to the High Court pursuant to subsection (5), the High Court shall, in any case where enforcement of an award has been stayed, whether provisionally or otherwise, in accordance with Articles 50, 51 or 52 of the Washington Convention, stay enforcement of the pecuniary obligations imposed by the award and may, in any case where an application has been made in accordance with any of those Articles which, if granted, might result in a stay on the enforcement of the award, stay enforcement of the pecuniary obligations imposed by the award. Survival of agreement and authority of arbitral tribunal in event of death. 26.— (1) An arbitration agreement shall not be discharged by the death of any party thereto, either as respects the deceased or any other party, but shall in such an event be enforceable by or against the personal representatives of the deceased. (2) The authority of an arbitral tribunal shall not be revoked by the death of any party by whom he or she was appointed. (3) Nothing in this section shall affect the operation of any enactment or rule of law by virtue of which any right of action is extinguished by the death of a person. Provisions in event of bankruptcy. 27.— (1) Where an arbitration agreement forms part of a contract to which a bankrupt is a party, the agreement shall, if the assignee or trustee in bankruptcy does not disclaim the contract, be enforceable by or against him or her insofar as it relates to any dispute arising out of, or in connection with, such a contract. (2) Where— (a) a person who has been adjudicated bankrupt had, before the commencement of the bankruptcy, become a party to an arbitration agreement, and (b) any matter to which the agreement applies requires to be determined in connection with or for the purposes of the bankruptcy proceedings, and (c) the case is one to which subsection (1) does not apply, then, any other party to the agreement or the assignee or, with the consent of the committee of inspection, the trustee in bankruptcy, may apply to the court having jurisdiction in the bankruptcy proceedings for an order directing that the matter in question shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with the agreement and that court may, if it is of the opinion that having regard to all the circumstances of the case, the matter ought to be determined by arbitration, make an order accordingly. (3) In this section “assignee” means the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy. Full applicability to State parties. 28.— This Act shall apply to an arbitration under an arbitration agreement to which a State authority is a party. Application of Act to arbitrations under other Acts. 29.— (1) This Act, other than the excluded provisions, shall apply to every arbitration under any other Act as if the arbitration were pursuant to an arbitration agreement and as if that other Act were an arbitration agreement, except in so far as this Act is inconsistent with that other Act or with any rules or procedure authorised or recognised under that other Act. (2) The enactments specified in column (2) of Schedule 6 are amended to the extent specified in that Schedule. (3) In subsection (3) of section 496 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 , the reference to legal proceedings shall be construed as including a reference to arbitration. (4) In this section, “excluded provisions” means subsections (2) and (3), subsection (3) of section 8 , sections 17 , 26 , 27 , 30 and 31 and Articles 12 and 13. Exclusion of certain arbitrations. 30.— (1) This Act shall not apply to— (a) an arbitration under an arbitration agreement providing for the reference to, or the settlement by, arbitration of any question relating to the terms or conditions of employment or the remuneration of any employees, including persons employed by or under the State or local authorities, or (b) an arbitration under section 70 of the Industrial Relations Act 1946 . (2) Section 18 shall not apply to an arbitration conducted by a property arbitrator appointed under section 2 of the Property Values (Arbitration and Appeals) Act 1960 . Arbitration agreements and small claims, etc. 31.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), a party to an arbitration agreement who is a consumer shall not be bound (unless he or she otherwise agrees at any time after the dispute has arisen) by an arbitration agreement where— (a) the agreement between the parties contains a term which has not been individually negotiated concerning the requirement to submit to arbitration disputes which may arise, and (b) the dispute which has arisen between the parties to the agreement involves a claim for an amount not exceeding €5,000. (2) For the avoidance of doubt, a reference in this section to a consumer shall not include an amateur sportsperson who, in his or her capacity as such, is a party to an arbitration agreement that contains a term concerning the requirement to submit to arbitration. PART 3 Reference to Arbitration Where Proceedings Pending Before Court Power of High Court and Circuit Court to adjourn proceedings to facilitate arbitration. 32.— (1) Without prejudice to any provision of any other enactment or rule of law, the High Court or the Circuit Court may at any time whether before or during the trial of any civil proceedings before it— (a) if it thinks it appropriate to do so, and (b) the parties to the proceedings so consent, by order adjourn the proceedings to enable the parties to consider whether any or all of the matters in dispute might be determined by arbitration. (2) Where a court makes an order under subsection (1), the adjournment shall be for such period as the court thinks fit. (3) The parties to the proceedings shall, on or before the expiry of the period referred to in subsection (2), inform the court hearing the civil proceedings concerned whether or not agreement has been reached between the parties that any or all of the matters in dispute should be dealt with by arbitration. (4) Where such agreement has been reached, the agreement shall be treated as an arbitration agreement for the purposes of this Act. (5) The court, in respect of an agreement referred to in subsection (4)— (a) where the agreement relates to all of the matters in dispute, shall by order provide for the discontinuance of the proceedings and may make such order as to the costs of the proceedings as it thinks fit, or (b) where the agreement relates to part but not all of the matters in dispute, may make such order as to the discontinuance of the proceedings as it thinks fit. (6) Where no agreement has been reached the court may make such order as it thinks fit in relation to the continuance of the proceedings. (7) This section is in addition to and not in substitution for any power of a court to adjourn civil proceedings before it. SCHEDULE 1 TEXT OF UNCITRAL MODEL LAW ON INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION (As adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on 21 June 1985, with amendments as adopted by that Commission on 7 July 2006) CHAPTER I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1. Scope of application (1) This Law applies to international commercial arbitration, subject to any agreement in force between this State and any other State or States. (2) The provisions of this Law, except articles 8, 9, 17H, 17I, 17J, 35 and 36, apply only if the place of arbitration is in the territory of this State. (3) An arbitration is international if: (a) the parties to an arbitration agreement have, at the time of the conclusion of that agreement, their places of business in different States; or (b) one of the following places is situated outside the State in which the parties have their places of business: (i) the place of arbitration if determined in, or pursuant to, the arbitration agreement; (ii) any place where a substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship is to be performed or the place with which the subject matter of the dispute is most closely connected; or (c) the parties have expressly agreed that the subject matter of the arbitration agreement relates to more than one country. (4) For the purposes of paragraph (3) of this article: (a) if a party has more than one place of business, the place of business is that which has the closest relationship to the arbitration agreement; (b) if a party does not have a place of business, reference is to be made to his habitual residence. (5) This Law shall not affect any other law of this State by virtue of which certain disputes may not be submitted to arbitration or may be submitted to arbitration only according to provisions other than those of this Law. Article 2. Definitions and rules of interpretation For the purposes of this Law: (a) “arbitration” means any arbitration whether or not administered by a permanent arbitral institution; (b) “arbitral tribunal” means a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators; (c) “court” means a body or organ of the judicial system of a State; (d) where a provision of this Law, except article 28, leaves the parties free to determine a certain issue, such freedom includes the right of the parties to authorize a third party, including an institution, to make that determination; (e) where a provision of this Law refers to the fact that the parties have agreed or that they may agree or in any other way refers to an agreement of the parties, such agreement includes any arbitration rules referred to in that agreement; (f) where a provision of this Law, other than in articles 25(a) and 32(2)(a), refers to a claim, it also applies to a counter-claim, and where it refers to a defence, it also applies to a defence to such counter-claim. Article 3. Receipt of written communications (1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties: (a) any written communication is deemed to have been received if it is delivered to the addressee personally or if it is delivered at his place of business, habitual residence or mailing address; if none of these can be found after making a reasonable inquiry, a written communication is deemed to have been received if it is sent to the addressee’s last-known place of business, habitual residence or mailing address by registered letter or any other means which provides a record of the attempt to deliver it; (b) the communication is deemed to have been received on the day it is so delivered. (2) The provisions of this article do not apply to communications in court proceedings. Article 4. Waiver of right to object A party who knows that any provision of this Law from which the parties may derogate or any requirement under the arbitration agreement has not been complied with and yet proceeds with the arbitration without stating his objection to such non-compliance without undue delay or, if a time-limit is provided therefor, within such period of time, shall be deemed to have waived his right to object. Article 5. Extent of court intervention In matters governed by this Law, no court shall intervene except where so provided in this Law. Article 6. Court or other authority for certain functions of arbitration assistance and supervision The functions referred to in articles 11(3), 11(4), 13(3), 14, 16(3) and 34(2) shall be performed by ... [Each State enacting this model law specifies the court, courts or, where referred to therein, other authority competent to perform these functions.] CHAPTER II. ARBITRATION AGREEMENT Option I Article 7. Definition and form of arbitration agreement (1) “Arbitration agreement” is an agreement by the parties to submit to arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not. An arbitration agreement may be in the form of an arbitration clause in a contract or in the form of a separate agreement. (2) The arbitration agreement shall be in writing. (3) An arbitration agreement is in writing if its content is recorded in any form, whether or not the arbitration agreement or contract has been concluded orally, by conduct, or by other means. (4) The requirement that an arbitration agreement be in writing is met by an electronic communication if the information contained therein is accessible so as to be useable for subsequent reference; “electronic communication” means any communication that the parties make by means of data messages; “data message” means information generated, sent, received or stored by electronic, magnetic, optical or similar means, including, but not limited to, electronic data interchange (EDI), electronic mail, telegram, telex or telecopy. (5) Furthermore, an arbitration agreement is in writing if it is contained in an exchange of statements of claim and defence in which the existence of an agreement is alleged by one party and not denied by the other. (6) The reference in a contract to any document containing an arbitration clause constitutes an arbitration agreement in writing, provided that the reference is such as to make that clause part of the contract. Option II Article 7. Definition of arbitration agreement “Arbitration agreement” is an agreement by the parties to submit to arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not. Article 8. Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court (1) A court before which an action is brought in a matter which is the subject of an arbitration agreement shall, if a party so requests not later than when submitting his first statement on the substance of the dispute, refer the parties to arbitration unless it finds that the agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed. (2) Where an action referred to in paragraph (1) of this article has been brought, arbitral proceedings may nevertheless be commenced or continued, and an award may be made, while the issue is pending before the court. Article 9. Arbitration agreement and interim measures by court It is not incompatible with an arbitration agreement for a party to request, before or during arbitral proceedings, from a court an interim measure of protection and for a court to grant such measure. CHAPTER III. COMPOSITION OF ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL Article 10. Number of arbitrators (1) The parties are free to determine the number of arbitrators. (2) Failing such determination, the number of arbitrators shall be three. Article 11. Appointment of arbitrators (1) No person shall be precluded by reason of his nationality from acting as an arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. (2) The parties are free to agree on a procedure of appointing the arbitrator or arbitrators, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this article. (3) Failing such agreement, (a) in an arbitration with three arbitrators, each party shall appoint one arbitrator, and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall appoint the third arbitrator; if a party fails to appoint the arbitrator within thirty days of receipt of a request to do so from the other party, or if the two arbitrators fail to agree on the third arbitrator within thirty days of their appointment, the appointment shall be made, upon request of a party, by the court or other authority specified in article 6; (b) in an arbitration with a sole arbitrator, if the parties are unable to agree on the arbitrator, he shall be appointed, upon request of a party, by the court or other authority specified in article 6. (4) Where, under an appointment procedure agreed upon by the parties, (a) a party fails to act as required under such procedure, or (b) the parties, or two arbitrators, are unable to reach an agreement expected of them under such procedure, or (c) a third party, including an institution, fails to perform any function entrusted to it under such procedure, any party may request the court or other authority specified in article 6 to take the necessary measure, unless the agreement on the appointment procedure provides other means for securing the appointment. (5) A decision on a matter entrusted by paragraph (3) or (4) of this article to the court or other authority specified in article 6 shall be subject to no appeal. The court or other authority, in appointing an arbitrator, shall have due regard to any qualifications required of the arbitrator by the agreement of the parties and to such considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator and, in the case of a sole or third arbitrator, shall take into account as well the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality other than those of the parties. Article 12. Grounds for challenge (1) When a person is approached in connection with his possible appointment as an arbitrator, he shall disclose any circumstances likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence. An arbitrator, from the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings, shall without delay disclose any such circumstances to the parties unless they have already been informed of them by him. (2) An arbitrator may be challenged only if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence, or if he does not possess qualifications agreed to by the parties. A party may challenge an arbitrator appointed by him, or in whose appointment he has participated, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment has been made. Article 13. Challenge procedure (1) The parties are free to agree on a procedure for challenging an arbitrator, subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this article. (2) Failing such agreement, a party who intends to challenge an arbitrator shall, within fifteen days after becoming aware of the constitution of the arbitral tribunal or after becoming aware of any circumstance referred to in article 12(2), send a written statement of the reasons for the challenge to the arbitral tribunal. Unless the challenged arbitrator withdraws from his office or the other party agrees to the challenge, the arbitral tribunal shall decide on the challenge. (3) If a challenge under any procedure agreed upon by the parties or under the procedure of paragraph (2) of this article is not successful, the challenging party may request, within thirty days after having received notice of the decision rejecting the challenge, the court or other authority specified in article 6 to decide on the challenge, which decision shall be subject to no appeal; while such a request is pending, the arbitral tribunal, including the challenged arbitrator, may continue the arbitral proceedings and make an award. Article 14. Failure or impossibility to act (1) If an arbitrator becomes de jure or de facto unable to perform his functions or for other reasons fails to act without undue delay, his mandate terminates if he withdraws from his office or if the parties agree on the termination. Otherwise, if a controversy remains concerning any of these grounds, any party may request the court or other authority specified in article 6 to decide on the termination of the mandate, which decision shall be subject to no appeal. (2) If, under this article or article 13(2), an arbitrator withdraws from his office or a party agrees to the termination of the mandate of an arbitrator, this does not imply acceptance of the validity of any ground referred to in this article or article 12(2). Article 15. Appointment of substitute arbitrator Where the mandate of an arbitrator terminates under article 13 or 14 or because of his withdrawal from office for any other reason or because of the revocation of his mandate by agreement of the parties or in any other case of termination of his mandate, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed according to the rules that were applicable to the appointment of the arbitrator being replaced. CHAPTER IV. JURISDICTION OF ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL Article 16. Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction (1) The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction, including any objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement. For that purpose, an arbitration clause which forms part of a contract shall be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract. A decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not entail ipso jure the invalidity of the arbitration clause. (2) A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall be raised not later than the submission of the statement of defence. A party is not precluded from raising such a plea by the fact that he has appointed, or participated in the appointment of, an arbitrator. A plea that the arbitral tribunal is exceeding the scope of its authority shall be raised as soon as the matter alleged to be beyond the scope of its authority is raised during the arbitral proceedings. The arbitral tribunal may, in either case, admit a later plea if it considers the delay justified. (3) The arbitral tribunal may rule on a plea referred to in paragraph (2) of this article either as a preliminary question or in an award on the merits. If the arbitral tribunal rules as a preliminary question that it has jurisdiction, any party may request, within thirty days after having received notice of that ruling, the court specified in article 6 to decide the matter, which decision shall be subject to no appeal; while such a request is pending, the arbitral tribunal may continue the arbitral proceedings and make an award. CHAPTER IV A. INTERIM MEASURES AND PRELIMINARY ORDERS Section 1 . Interim measures Article 17. Power of arbitral tribunal to order interim measures (1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may, at the request of a party, grant interim measures. (2) An interim measure is any temporary measure, whether in the form of an award or in another form, by which, at any time prior to the issuance of the award by which the dispute is finally decided, the arbitral tribunal orders a party to: (a) Maintain or restore the status quo pending determination of the dispute; (b) Take action that would prevent, or refrain from taking action that is likely to cause, current or imminent harm or prejudice to the arbitral process itself; (c) Provide a means of preserving assets out of which a subsequent award may be satisfied; or (d) Preserve evidence that may be relevant and material to the resolution of the dispute. Article 17 A. Conditions for granting interim measures (1) The party requesting an interim measure under article 17(2)(a), (b) and (c) shall satisfy the arbitral tribunal that: (a) Harm not adequately reparable by an award of damages is likely to result if the measure is not ordered, and such harm substantially outweighs the harm that is likely to result to the party against whom the measure is directed if the measure is granted; and (b) There is a reasonable possibility that the requesting party will succeed on the merits of the claim. The determination on this possibility shall not affect the discretion of the arbitral tribunal in making any subsequent determination. (2) With regard to a request for an interim measure under article 17(2)(d), the requirements in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) of this article shall apply only to the extent the arbitral tribunal considers appropriate. Section 2 . Preliminary orders Article 17 B. Applications for preliminary orders and conditions for granting preliminary orders (1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party may, without notice to any other party, make a request for an interim measure together with an application for a preliminary order directing a party not to frustrate the purpose of the interim measure requested. (2) The arbitral tribunal may grant a preliminary order provided it considers that prior disclosure of the request for the interim measure to the party against whom it is directed risks frustrating the purpose of the measure. (3) The conditions defined under article 17A apply to any preliminary order, provided that the harm to be assessed under article 17A(1)(a), is the harm likely to result from the order being granted or not. Article 17 C. Specific regime for preliminary orders (1) Immediately after the arbitral tribunal has made a determination in respect of an application for a preliminary order, the arbitral tribunal shall give notice to all parties of the request for the interim measure, the application for the preliminary order, the preliminary order, if any, and all other communications, including by indicating the content of any oral communication, between any party and the arbitral tribunal in relation thereto. (2) At the same time, the arbitral tribunal shall give an opportunity to any party against whom a preliminary order is directed to present its case at the earliest practicable time. (3) The arbitral tribunal shall decide promptly on any objection to the preliminary order. (4) A preliminary order shall expire after twenty days from the date on which it was issued by the arbitral tribunal. However, the arbitral tribunal may issue an interim measure adopting or modifying the preliminary order, after the party against whom the preliminary order is directed has been given notice and an opportunity to present its case. (5) A preliminary order shall be binding on the parties but shall not be subject to enforcement by a court. Such a preliminary order does not constitute an award. Section 3 . Provisions applicable to interim measures and preliminary orders Article 17 D. Modification, suspension, termination The arbitral tribunal may modify, suspend or terminate an interim measure or a preliminary order it has granted, upon application of any party or, in exceptional circumstances and upon prior notice to the parties, on the arbitral tribunal’s own initiative. Article 17 E. Provision of security (1) The arbitral tribunal may require the party requesting an interim measure to provide appropriate security in connection with the measure. (2) The arbitral tribunal shall require the party applying for a preliminary order to provide security in connection with the order unless the arbitral tribunal considers it inappropriate or unnecessary to do so. Article 17 F. Disclosure (1) The arbitral tribunal may require any party promptly to disclose any material change in the circumstances on the basis of which the measure was requested or granted. (2) The party applying for a preliminary order shall disclose to the arbitral tribunal all circumstances that are likely to be relevant to the arbitral tribunal’s determination whether to grant or maintain the order, and such obligation shall continue until the party against whom the order has been requested has had an opportunity to present its case. Thereafter, paragraph (1) of this article shall apply. Article 17 G. Costs and damages The party requesting an interim measure or applying for a preliminary order shall be liable for any costs and damages caused by the measure or the order to any party if the arbitral tribunal later determines that, in the circumstances, the measure or the order should not have been granted. The arbitral tribunal may award such costs and damages at any point during the proceedings. Section 4 . Recognition and enforcement of interim measures Article 17 H. Recognition and enforcement (1) An interim measure issued by an arbitral tribunal shall be recognized as binding and, unless otherwise provided by the arbitral tribunal, enforced upon application to the competent court, irrespective of the country in which it was issued, subject to the provisions of article 17 I. (2) The party who is seeking or has obtained recognition or enforcement of an interim measure shall promptly inform the court of any termination, suspension or modification of that interim measure. (3) The court of the State where recognition or enforcement is sought may, if it considers it proper, order the requesting party to provide appropriate security if the arbitral tribunal has not already made a determination with respect to security or where such a decision is necessary to protect the rights of third parties. Article 17 I. Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement (1) Recognition or enforcement of an interim measure may be refused only: (a) At the request of the party against whom it is invoked if the court is satisfied that: (i) Such refusal is warranted on the grounds set forth in article 36(1)(a)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv); or (ii) The arbitral tribunal’s decision with respect to the provision of security in connection with the interim measure issued by the arbitral tribunal has not been complied with; or (iii) The interim measure has been terminated or suspended by the arbitral tribunal or, where so empowered, by the court of the State in which the arbitration takes place or under the law of which that interim measure was granted; or (b) If the court finds that: (i) The interim measure is incompatible with the powers conferred upon the court unless the court decides to reformulate the interim measure to the extent necessary to adapt it to its own powers and procedures for the purposes of enforcing that interim measure and without modifying its substance; or (ii) Any of the grounds set forth in article 36(1)(b)(i) or (ii), apply to the recognition and enforcement of the interim measure. (2) Any determination made by the court on any ground in paragraph (1) of this article shall be effective only for the purposes of the application to recognize and enforce the interim measure. The court where recognition or enforcement is sought shall not, in making that determination, undertake a review of the substance of the interim measure. Section 5 . Court-ordered interim measures Article 17 J. Court-ordered interim measures A court shall have the same power of issuing an interim measure in relation to arbitration proceedings, irrespective of whether their place is in the territory of this State, as it has in relation to proceedings in courts. The court shall exercise such power in accordance with its own procedures in consideration of the specific features of international arbitration. CHAPTER V. CONDUCT OF ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS Article 18. Equal treatment of parties The parties shall be treated with equality and each party shall be given a full opportunity of presenting his case. Article 19. Determination of rules of procedure (1) Subject to the provisions of this Law, the parties are free to agree on the procedure to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in conducting the proceedings. (2) Failing such agreement, the arbitral tribunal may, subject to the provisions of this Law, conduct the arbitration in such manner as it considers appropriate. The power conferred upon the arbitral tribunal includes the power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality and weight of any evidence. Article 20. Place of arbitration (1) The parties are free to agree on the place of arbitration. Failing such agreement, the place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the convenience of the parties. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this article, the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for inspection of goods, other property or documents. Article 21. Commencement of arbitral proceedings Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular dispute commence on the date on which a request for that dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent. Article 22. Language (1) The parties are free to agree on the language or languages to be used in the arbitral proceedings. Failing such agreement, the arbitral tribunal shall determine the language or languages to be used in the proceedings. This agreement or determination, unless otherwise specified therein, shall apply to any written statement by a party, any hearing and any award, decision or other communication by the arbitral tribunal. (2) The arbitral tribunal may order that any documentary evidence shall be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal. Article 23. Statements of claim and defence (1) Within the period of time agreed by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state the facts supporting his claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy sought, and the respondent shall state his defence in respect of these particulars, unless the parties have otherwise agreed as to the required elements of such statements. The parties may submit with their statements all …