Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts
Key definition
Arbitration definition

What does Arbitration mean? Arbitration is a private process where parties resolve disputes by one or more arbitrators who issue a final, binding award instead of a court judgment. It is consensual, usually agreed by an arbitration clause, and the law of the seat governs the procedure (lex arbitri). In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, the Arbitration Act 1996 applies. Courts stay court proceedings in favour of arbitration, provide support, and enforce awards; challenges are limited to lack of jurisdiction (s.67), serious irregularity (s.68) and, unless excluded, appeal on a point of law (s.69). In Scotland, the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010 provides a similar...

Read More Right Arrow

Third party rights and arbitration: the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, conditional benefit, Nisshin v Cleaves, Blue Sky, and drafting (England and Wales)

Practice notes
imgtext

Contract (Right of third parties) Act 1999 and arbitration

This Practice Note examines the effect of the Contract (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999 (C(RTP)A 1999) on arbitration, in particular, and more generally, with emphasis on the settled rule that only signatories to an arbitration agreement can be bound, take part in the proceedings, and be subject to any arbitral award. It also addresses the conditional benefit principle. The Note surveys the leading authorities Nisshin Shipping Co Ltd v Cleaves and Fortress Value Recovery Fund v Blue Sky Special Opportunities Fund. The subject is also described as privity of contract in international arbitration, the interaction between C(RTP)A 1999 and arbitration, and third parties and arbitration. Under English common law, the orthodox privity doctrine provides, broadly, that only those party to a contract have rights under it and only those parties bear liabilities under it. As an arbitration agreement is contractual in nature, it follows that, at common law, only those who consented to arbitrate can be compelled by it or can rely upon it...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
James Hayton
James Hayton

James Hayton leads the arbitration practice at LK. He has extensive experience with resolving disputes through commercial litigation and international arbitration, across a variety of industries, including financial services, professional services and the art world. He has handled arbitrations under the LCIA, ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations, and has also seen the process from the Tribunal’s point of view as Secretary of the Tribunal. James has been published in leading journals on topics in international arbitration and civil procedure. He is a contributor to Arlidge, Eady & Smith on Contempt (5th ed., Sweet & Maxwell) on breaches of civil orders and undertakings. James founded the University of Cambridge’s alumni arbitration association (CamARB) and also chairs the Balkan Arbitration Conference, the first and leading arbitration conference for the Balkan region as a whole. ...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow