Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Enforcement definition

What does Enforcement mean? Enforcement is the practical process of making a court order, judgment, decree or arbitral award take effect when the party bound has not complied by the deadline. It involves applying for, and using, court-sanctioned measures to secure compliance or recover sums due, including where permission is required. The term is descriptive rather than a single statutory definition; the available remedies depend on the jurisdiction and the nature of the order. England and Wales: governed mainly by CPR Parts 70–73, including writ/warrant of control, third party debt orders, charging orders (and orders for sale), attachment of earnings, possession and delivery up, appointment...

Enforcement of Arbitral Awards in the BVI under the Arbitration Act 2013: Convention and Non-Convention Awards, Defences, Procedure, and 2023 ECSC Reforms

Published by a LexisNexis Arbitration expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note examines the recognition and Enforcement of arbitral awards in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The Arbitration Act 2013—an introduction to recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards in the BVI

On 1 October 2014, the Arbitration Act 2013 (the Arbitration Act 2013) took legal effect in the BVI.

The Arbitration Act 2013 superseded the Arbitration Ordinance 1976 (the old Act) and constitutes a modern arbitration statute.

The Arbitration Act 2013 was crafted to address the deficiencies of the old Act.

It adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law, with certain limited amendments and supplementary provisions.

As one would anticipate of legislation rooted in Comity, the Arbitration Act 2013 expressly stipulates that, when interpreting its provisions, the courts must take account of its international origin and the necessity of promoting both uniformity in its application, and the consistent observance of good faith.

As a further complement to the implementation of the Arbitration Act 2013, on 25 May 2014 the UK—after liaising with the Governor’s Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—also formally extended the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, New York 1958 (the New York Convention), to the BVI.

The Arbitration Act 2013 accords with the...

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Tameka Davis , LLB, LLM, MCIArb

Conyers Dill & Pearman

Tameka Davis is Counsel in the litigation department of Conyers Dill & Pearman in the British Virgin Islands. Tameka’s practice covers company and commercial law almost exclusively involving a cross-jurisdictional dimension, with particular focus on international insolvency, asset tracing claims and interim urgent relief. She has advised extensively on the reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments and awards and assistance injunctive relief in the British Virgin Islands. Tameka has been involved in a number of multi-million and billion dollar claims of immense complexity, invariably including elements of fraud, and significant developing jurisprudence in relation to the scope of norwich pharmacal disclosure orders and the incident of a liquidator's remuneration fees where his appointment has been subsequently set aside. She is particularly apt at navigating the Eastern Caribbean Civil Procedure Rules. Tameka has been recognized globally in the 2014 edition (and since 2012) in Legal 500...

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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