Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Award definition

What does Award mean? In arbitration practice, an award is the arbitral tribunal’s written decision that determines the parties’ claims, defences and the relief granted. Legislation governs its effect and form in England & Wales and Northern Ireland (Arbitration Act 1996), Scotland (Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010) and Ireland (Arbitration Act 2010 implementing the UNCITRAL Model Law). Key features commonly include: writing, signatures, the date, identification of the seat, and reasons unless the parties agree otherwise. An award is generally final and binding as to the matters decided, subject only to limited statutory challenges (for example, lack of jurisdiction, serious irregularity, and in England...

International commercial arbitral awards in New York (US): confirmation, vacatur and enforcement under the FAA and New York/Panama Conventions; stays, annulment, jurisdiction and forum non conveniens

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Practice notes

Judicial enforcement of international commercial Arbitration Awards in New York

Arbitration has emerged as the predominant means by which parties across the globe settle disputes outside the courts. It rests on the parties’ consent—express or implied—typically recorded in an arbitration clause within a private contract or a treaty. Even when parties choose to arbitrate, the courts remain vital to ensuring the process is effective. Crucially, they may compel a resistant party to arbitrate or to honour an arbitral award.

This Practice Note considers the judicial enforcement of international commercial arbitration awards in New York. In New York, enforcement is usually straightforward. The federal courts there possess deep experience and expertise in enforcing international arbitral awards. In doing so, they apply a robust federal common law policy favouring arbitration. See Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc., 473 U.S. 614, 631 (1985); Telenor Mobile Comms. AS v Storm LLC, 584 F.3d 396, 405 (2d Cir. 2009). New York state law adopts a similarly pro-arbitration stance, but, for the reasons outlined below, most actions to enforce international awards are brought in the federal courts (see)...

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Justin Ben-Asher

Steptoe LLP

Justin Ben-Asher represents clients in commercial disputes, including in complex multidistrict litigation and international arbitrations. His work spans the aerospace and defence, energy, construction, financial services, and insurance industries, among others. His pro bono legal service includes representation of the City of New York, as well as housing and family court matters. He is a recipient of The Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Publico Award....

Jennie Askew

Steptoe International (UK) LLP

Jennie focuses her practice on commercial litigation and international arbitration matters. She has experience analysing issues arising under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, SEC matters, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and § 1983 claims, among other areas. Prior to joining Steptoe, Jennie was a judicial intern for the Honourable Ellen L. Hollander, US District Court for the District of Maryland. She researched and drafted judicial opinions resolving certain dispositive motions, and prepared bench memoranda analysing a range of substantive legal issues, including conditional certification under the Fair Labor Standards Act, statutory administrative schemes, and federal jurisdiction....

Chris Paparella

Steptoe LLP

Chris Paparella concentrates on financial services litigation and international disputes. He has represented financial institution clients in federal and state court litigation and arbitration involving mortgage-backed securities, securities fraud, lender liability and foreign exchange transactions. Chris argued and won a ground-breaking case in New York’s highest court in which he obtained the dismissal of a $300 million fraud case on the grounds that the assignment of the claims to a litigation funder violated New York’s champerty statute. Justinian Capital SPC v. West LB AG, 28 N.Y.3d 160 (2016). Chris has also represented clients in international and domestic arbitrations in New York, London, Mexico City, Paris, Amsterdam and elsewhere. Chris has developed particular familiarity and skill in the energy and process industries and has represented participants in offshore and onshore oil and gas production facilities, as well as a variety of downstream process plants and other...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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