Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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...

Gafta Arbitration Rules No. 125: Commencing Claims—Time Limits, Notice Requirements, Tribunal or Sole Arbitrator Appointments, Lapse and Renewal, Jurisdictional Objections, and Initial Deposits

Published by a LexisNexis Arbitration expert

Practice notes

Introduction to Gafta 125

The Grain and Feed Trade Association (Gafta) is a global body bringing together traders, brokers, superintendents, analysts, fumigators, arbitrators and other specialists across the international grain market. Its arbitration secretariat, based at the association’s London headquarters, oversees the conduct of arbitrations. Gafta issues a suite of standard form contracts, each containing an arbitration clause directing any disputes to be resolved under the Gafta rules. The preamble to Gafta 125 confirms that all disputes arising from contracts or agreements incorporating those rules must be referred exclusively to Gafta.

This Practice Note explains how to start an arbitration under the Gafta arbitration rules No. 125 (Gafta 125). Unless stated otherwise, references to the ‘Rules’ in this Practice Note mean the Gafta 125 rules, which apply to contracts dated from 1 March 2022. For additional background on Gafta and comparable trade bodies, see Practice Note: Commodities arbitration—trade associations and arbitration rules.

Time limits for claiming arbitration

To begin arbitration under Gafta 125, a claimant must serve on the respondent a notice confirming an intention to refer the dispute to arbitration (a Notice of Intention) within the following time limits:

Dispute — Applicable time limit

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Chris Felton

Gardner Leader LLP

Chris is a Partner in Gardner Leader’s Dispute Resolution team. Chris specialises in complex, multi-jurisdiction litigation and is a regular in the Commercial, Chancery and Technology and Construction Courts. His work includes a significant amount of international arbitration (LCIA, ICC, Swiss Rules, GAFTA and ad hoc), often on a sovereign/interstate level. He is recognised in the Legal 500 as a Leading Individual in Commercial Litigation and regularly features in Chambers and Partners. Many of Chris’ cases have an international dimension. He has litigated for clients in a number of different jurisdictions including the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, former CIS States, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Abu Dhabi, Seychelles, Malaysia, Singapore and China....

Katie Dyson

Gardner Leader LLP

Katie is an Associate in Gardner Leader’s Dispute Resolution team. Katie specialises in complex multi-jurisdiction litigation and has experience in banking and finance disputes. Her work includes procurement claims, cross border injunctions, civil fraud, commodities actions, corporate litigation and a significant amount of international arbitration (ICC and GAFTA), including at a sovereign/interstate level....

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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