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Understanding Regulations and Practical Considerations in International Arbitration Evidence

Understanding Regulations and Practical Considerations in International Arbitration Evidence

Evidence is important in international arbitration because it governs evidence gathering, processing, and discovery. Arbitrators must be familiar with the laws controlling evidence and the regulations about each jurisdiction's laws. This is crucial for academic and practical platforms alike. This paper, written for the Pre-Moot conference of the VIAC Vis Moot in Vienna, presents the issues surrounding evidence in international arbitration. To prepare future specialists in conflict resolution and international business arbitration, the essay concentrates on the practical elements of gathering evidence, doing research, writing, and advocating. The United States' acceptance of the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards has increased the number of instances of international arbitration under the common law system, making it more significant than ever. The rules governing evidence in arbitration proceedings reflect the common law's effect on the procedures and norms of international arbitration.

Due to variations in national legal systems and international commercial arbitration standards, there are discrepancies in the rules of evidence in international commercial arbitration. The weight and applicability of oral and documentary evidence, including testimony from witnesses and experts as well as documents and local inspections, are governed by the standards of evidence in international commercial arbitration. The primary distinction between the common law and civil law systems is the applicability of written evidence and oral evidence along with witness testimonies. Arbitrators are required to assess the relevance and weight of the evidence.

Internationally formulated rules for international arbitration include those set out by the International Bar Association (IBA) for the admissibility of evidence in commercial arbitration. These laws provide parties the ability to ask the other party to produce certain papers, which is crucial for figuring out how much the case will cost and how relevant a document is. The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) are examples of typical international arbitration organizations. Documentary evidence, witness testimony, expert testimony, on-site inspections, and the admissibility and evaluation of evidence are the five fundamental types of evidence that are covered by IBA rules in international arbitration.

To provide an unbiased verdict in international commercial arbitration, arbitrators seek and present all relevant evidence. They have to maintain and strike a balance between fairness in the evidence process. The International Bar Association, international arbitration tribunals, and other organizations must be consulted as arbitrators carefully consider the evidence. In Europe, the significance of international commercial arbitration is increasing, especially when it comes to resolving disputes involving international business law. Internationally prepared norms for gathering evidence in commercial arbitration include those established by the International Bar Association (IBA); yet, arbitrators have the last word when it comes to evidentiary processes. Flexibility carries a risk, though, and arbitrators need to be aware of the laws controlling evidence and regulations based on the specific facts of each case.

References

[1] Malacka, Michal. "Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration." International and Comparative Law Review 13.1 (2013): 95-102.

[2] Idornigie, PAUL OBOARENEGBE. "The Legal Regime of International Commercial Arbitration." Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Law, University of Jos (2002).

  • Rules governing evidence in international arbitration vary due to differences in legal systems and commercial arbitration standards.
  • International Bar Association (IBA) rules play a crucial role in determining the admissibility and evaluation of evidence in commercial arbitration.
  • Arbitrators strive for fairness and balance in considering all relevant evidence to reach an unbiased verdict in international commercial arbitration cases.

BY : Vaishnavi Rastogi

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