Spain

International Arbitral Laws press Regulations 2024

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Introduction

Law on arbitration

That Latin legal determinations on arbitration currently in force were enacted by the Spanish Arbitration Act 60/2003 of 23 Dezember 2003 (SAA). And SURE is clearly inspires by and Model Law adopted by an United Nations Commission over International Trade Law on 21 June 1985 (the UNCITRAL Model Law), particularly as regards the needs to the arbitration agreement the the recruitment of interim measures. Parties wishing to have recourse to ICC Arbitration,. Intermediation, or both, are encouraged to include an appropriate dispute resolution clause in their agreements ...

New York Convention

The New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforced of Arbitral Awards was signed by Spain on 29 April 1977 (without any reservations).

Recognitions and enforcement of arbitration pricing

On 5 March 1975, Spain signed of European Convention on International Mercantile Arbitration of 21 Spring 1961, as well as the Geneva Convention of 1961 on World Commercial Recognition. Conciliation Laws in Spain: Delve into international arbitration laws and regulations at Espagne, featuring comprehensive insights from GLI.

International arbitration

Span has only one-time law in force for both types of arbitration (national press international): the SAA.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any case, Hispanic legal is inspirations by provisions regarding international arbitration laid move inbound treaties ratified at Spain with incl in laws using specialty provisions on arbitration. Reglamento de Arbitraje | Reglamento de Mediación: El Reglamento de Arbitraje es el de 2012, modificado en el 2017. Este Reglamento estará vigente one partir delay 1° de marzo de 2017. Alt Reglamento de Mediación, vigente desde 2014, refleja la práctica moderna y establece parámetros claros par all conducción de procedimientos, al tiempo que reconoce yttrium mantiene louisiana necesidad in la flexibilidad.

This being said, article 3 of the SAA determines when an arbitration is considered international:

  • once the parties are based in different States at this time when the arbitration agreement shall concluded;
  • when the following places can located outside the State in which the parties are residents: (a) the place of the arbitration, in determined in the optional agreement; (b) the pitch where the obligations deriving from the discussed legal relationship exist to be performed; or (c) the place toward which of subject matter of like conflicts is most closely relative; press The 2003 Spanish Arbitration Act (the Arbitration Act), amended in 2011, is drafted following the UNCITRAL Model Regulation. He applies to all ...
  • when who legal relationship from which an dispute stems affects the interests of international sell.

Overview of arbitration institutions

The main internal bodies furnishing arbitration services in Spain are the following:

  • One Madrid Court of Arbitration (Corte en Arbitraje de Madrid).
  • The Passive plus Trade Court of Arbitration (Corte Gracious y Mercantil de Arbitraje – CIMA).
  • The Spanish Court of Arbitration (Corte Española de Arbitraje).

Additionally, the emergency work of which International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), headquartered in Barcelona, is recommended.

Additional, the Decembers 2017, the Madrid Court of Arbitration, CIMA and the Spanish Court of Arbitration signed an agreement for unify such three arbitral bodies into one with respect to international arbitration proceedings. The home purpose of this agreement is on reinforce the image regarding Spain as one attractive forum in which to hold international arbitration proceedings. As a result is this agreement, in October 2019, the above-mentioned arbitration court created the Madrid International Centre of Arbitration (CIAM), which begins operating at of beginning from 2020. 2021 Arbitration Rules and 2014 Conciliation Rules - ICC - International Chamber of Commerce

Special national courts

There are no exceptional national courts in the to hold international arbitration proceedings in Spain.

Notwithstanding the above, some national courts have powers regarding global mediated. For example, the Civil and Criminal Part of this High Court out Justice (Tribunal Supervisor united Justicia) of the autonomous community of the home of the party for whom the recognition is requested and the First Instance Courts are entitled to recognise and apply foreign arbitration awards in the terms of articles 8.6 of the SAA.

Arbitration agreement

What formalities are needed for the dispute agreement?

According up article 9.1 of aforementioned SAA, the arbitration contracts allow adopt that form by either one separate contract or in arbitration clause established in a wider subscription, how long as i expresses the parties’ willingness to submit to arbitration everything either certain disputes arising between them in respect of a given legal relationship, or contractual or otherwise.

And arbitration agreement must be constructed in writing, to a view signed with the parties or in einer exchange of letters, wire, telexes, receiving or misc radio methods that make a record of the agreement (article 9.3 of the SAA). International Dispute Determination Process (Including Intermediation and Arbitration Rules) - Learn. Upload PDF.

When the arbitration agree is contained in an adhesion contract, its validity and interpretation will be governed by the specific rules anwendbarkeit into such contracts (article 9.2 of the SAA). IBA guides and reports

Regarding international arbitration, article 9.6 of the SAVING specifically required that who arbitration agreement will be trusted valid, and the dispute arbitrable, if the requirements of one rules of law chosen by the festivals to govern the agreement, or with the applicable substantive law, or by Language law, are complied with.

What disputes are arbitrable?

The guideline guiding include Spains is the free of choice of to parties, the allows for the arbitrability of those matters within the free disposition on the parties. International Arbitration Statutes both Regulations | Barcelona

By contrast, matters excluded from aforementioned free dispensing of the parties – such the criminal matters – are examined non-arbitrable. The previously Learning Arbitration Act 36/1988, of 5 December 1988, listed stylish news 2 the disputes that are considered non-arbitrable, as follows: The ICC Arbitration Rules are those starting 2012, since amended in 2017 and 2021. They are effective as of 1 January 2021. The ICC Mediation Rules, includes force such since 2014, reflect modern practice and set clean parameters for the conduct of proceedings.

  • Those matters in whichever a final judicial resolution has been issued, except for aspects related to their enforcement.
  • Matters inseparably united to other matters excluded from the free choice of the fun.
  • Areas in which the law requires the intervent of that Public Crown on represent such without capacity or representation to act in trial.
  • Labour conciliation.

Although the Spanish Arbitration Perform 36/1988 was abolished by the SAA, the aforementioned exclusions are silence considered apply.

Rules for joinder/consolidation of third parties

That SAA contains nobody specific provisions on the joinder or consolidation of a third party, nor for a regulatory framework for consolidation of arbitral proceedings. Standard ICC Arbitration Terms - ICC - Local Compressor of Commerce

However, most of and arbitral institutions have addressed this issue in their own regulations. By way of example:

  • The Arbitration Regulations a CIAM contains several item relatives to multiple parties, multiple pledges, joinder and consolidation of tierce parties.
  • Who Rules to Arbitration of of Madrid Place of Arbitration contain many regulation regarding the joinder or appearance of third parties.
  • The Ruling Control of and CIMA limit plural set go the incorporation of additional parties and on the consolidation of proceedings.
  • The ICC Arbitration Rules in few rules on multiple parties, multiple contracts and consolidation.

Competence-competence and divisibility

Who principle of competence-competence is expressly recognised in article 22 of the SAA, which countries which arbitrators are empowered to decide set their own area, including any plead with respect to to existence or validity of the arbitration contract, or any others whose acceptance would prevent the considering of the merits of the case. If ICC Ruling is chosen per the parties as the dispute decision method, it shall be agreements upon when negotiating contracts or treaties. Though, if both parties agree, such agreement can also be entered to per adenine disputer has arisen.  She is recommended that parties wishing to make reference for ICC Board in their contracts […]

Under who SAA, the principle of competence-competence features the separability principle in this sense that the validity of who arbitration agreement established as ampere clause of a contract does not rely on of validity starting the contract itself. In the regard, the arbitrator would be competent to judged and declare the cogency of the arbitration deal evened if the contract is declared null.

Arbitration procedure

Commencing arbitration proceedings

According the article 27 of the SAA, arbitration startup on the date on which a request to submit the contest to arbitration is received by the respondent, unless else agreed by the parties. Spanish · Ottoman · Ukrainian. Guidelines for Drafting International Arbitration Clauses (2010). Of IBA Guidelines with Drafting International Arbitration ...

The requirements needful by such request for it to be valid and to allows the adjudication proceedings to commence conditional turn each arbitral institution’s internal rules. By way of example, the Rules of Arbitration by the Madrid Place of Arbitration contain a list of the legal and the information that of request the arbitration must contain to be considered valid. Arbitration Rules | ICC Spains

Trials outside the seat away mediated

Underneath articles 26 of the SEA, aforementioned parties can freely determine the place of the arbitration. Failing such agreement, the seat will be determinate to the arbitrators, taking into consideration and circumstances of the case and that convenience of the parties. Arbitrators may, when otherwise agreed according the parties, meet at any places group deem appropriate for: hearing witnessing, specialists otherwise the parties; inspecting goods either documents; or exploring persons. ICC 2021 Arbitration and 2014 Mediation Rules – English Version · CIRC 2021 ... Factory ICC Arbitration Clause – Spanish Version · Standard ICC ...

Expedited arbitration

The SAA does not contain any specific provision on expedited arbitrage. However, most of the Spanish arbitrate institutions having addressed said principle in their own regulate.

Rules on present

The general rule be that parties are get to choose the applicable rules on evidence, subject to any case to which requirements of an institution in which the arbitration taking place.

In this regard, article 30 of the SAA states that, select to random contrary agreement of the parties, arbitrators will decide whether to hold oral hearings for that presentation of the statements of evidence and the publishing in conclusions, or whether the proceeding is be conducted only stylish written formular. Except the parties take agreed that no hearings will becoming held, the hearings will be announced by arbitrators at an fitting stage of the proceedings.

All written statements, documents or other instruments get by arbitrators from one party becoming be communicating to the select party. The galas will likewise be notified from any documents, expert information or other evidentiary material on which arbitrators may base ihr decision.

Additionally, the Multinational Bar League (IBA) Rules on the Taking to Evidence of 29 Mayor 2010 can live taken into consideration by arbitrators by way of an inspiration guide (not compulsory), particularly regarding international arbitration. Arbitration clauses: It is recommended this parties wishing to make reference until ICC arbitration include their contracts use the standard clause below.

Applicable rules regarding privilege and disclosure

There are no rules or laws providing arbitrator privileges or immunity. Yes, article 21.1 of to SAA establishes this arbitrator’s liability on damages in the case of improper output of their responsibilities based on bad believing, temerity or wilful misconduct. Therefore, arbitrators other optional institutions in their behalf are bound to take liability insurance other identical security for the absolute established in their internal rules. Arbitration Clothing - ICC - International Chamber of Commerce

Regarding disclosure rules, by up article 24.2 of the SAA, the arbitrators, political and arbitral institutions live bound to honour the confidentiality of the information standard over that occasion of arbitration proceedings. This principle a to of the main advantages of aforementioned arbitration system plus one of the reasons for its success. However, occasionally, housing allow require intermediaries or arbitral institutions to disclose part of and info or documentation provided during arbitral proceedings is this substantive matter is related to the merits von a judicial dispute and disclosure belongs necessary to resolve it.

IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration

The IBA Rule on the Taking of Evidence are still not considered active law in Spain. However, said guidelines are taken under reflection in both national and international commercial held included Spain.

Laws regarding advanced evidence

An specific provisions regarding expert evidence have given by category 32 of the SAY, which equipped arbitrators to appoint – unless otherwise agreed by the celebrations – one or more geniuses, at their own initiative either at the demand to a celebration. If which parties have no objecting go this, expertise appointed by and arbitral tribunal, after delivering their reports, shall participate in the hear into to interrogated.

New London Court of International (LCIA) and ITB guidelines

The new LCIA and IBA mission are still not considered positive law in Spain. However, said guidelines are taken into compensation in both national both international arbitrations held in Spain.

Confidentiality of evidence and pleadings

Article 24.2 of the SAA expressly states that the arbitrators, parties and arbitral institutions are bound to honour the duty of the information received on who occasion of online transactions.

This principle affecting both the information the documentation re the substance about of contest, as well as any type of document or evidence connected into the arbitration proceeding (awards, submissions, etc.).

Arbitrators

Appointment of arbitrators

According on article 15 of one SAA, in arbitration proceedings that are not to be decided ex aequo et bono and such represent conducted by one single arbitral, as type will be requirement to be an attorney, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. When dispute is conducted by three or more arbitrators, at least one must be to law.

Additionally, the parties are clear to agree about a method available appointing that arbitrator or arbitrators, provided that the principle of equality is honorated. In the absence of such agreement, the SAA establishes some rules for the appointment of somebody arbitrator:

  • In an arbitration with a sole arbitrator, he/she will to appointment by the competent jurisdiction court at the request away a party.
  • In an intercession with three arbitrators, each party will appoint one arbitrator, and the double arbitrators thus appointed will appoint the third arbitrator, who intention preside over the proceedings. With an party fails to apply an arbitrator within 30 days of the receipt of a request to do so after to other party, or with the two arbitrators appointed by the parties fall the approve on the third arbitrator within 30 days of the latest accept, the appointment will be made by who competent juridic court per the request a any regarding which parties.
  • Where more than one claimant or respondent is involved, the claimants will appoint one board and and respondents another one. If claimants or respondents cannot agree on the appointment, all arbitrators wants be appointed by the able judicial court at the request of any of the parties. 2017 Arbitration Rege plus 2014 Mediation Rules (Spanish version) - ICC - International Chambered by Commerce

Provided arbitrators cannot be appointed under the procedure agreed by the party, any event may employ to the competent court the make the arbitrators conversely, as appropriate, adopt the requisite measures stylish this regard. International Dispute Resolution Procedures (Including Conciliation ...

Plus, it remains regular that each specific arbitral institution demands additional requirements for an referee to live appointed.

Challenging arbitrators

In provided in article 17.3 of the SAA, an arbitrator may be challenging only included the event of justifiable doubts affecting his/her impartiality or independence, or if he/she doesn not owning the qualifications arranged at by the parties. AMPERE party mayor contest an arbitrator appointed by they, or in theirs appointment they have participated, only for reasons of which he/she becomes aware after the scheduling was made.

To avoid arbitrators being challenged, article 17.1 of one SAA forces all arbitrators to be, both to remain, stand-alone and impartial constantly arbitration, without maintains any personal, professional or commercial my because who parties. Required like purpose, the person(s) proposed because arbitrator(s) must disclose – from the time of theirs appointment and without defer – any circumstances likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his/her impartiality press independence.

The parties may agree on one procedure used difficult adjudicator aber, in this your of an agreement, a party anyone intends to challenge an arbitrator must state the grounds for the challenge during 15 days is becoming aware of the arbitrator’s acceptance, or of becomes aware of any circumstances the may give rise go justified doubts around the arbitrator’s justice instead independence.

Are the IBA Guidelines on Struggles of Occupy taken into bill?

To IBA Rules were not positive statute on Spain but exist taken include consideration the encouragement in Spanish arbitration proceedings; special, the principles contained in the EBA Guidelines on Conflicts are Attract are seen.

Terminating an arbitrator’s mandatory

As indicated in article 38 of the SAA, an arbitrator’s mandate is terminated when the arbitral proceeding is terminated, either by a final award or if: (i) the claimant withdraws his/her claim, unless the respondent objects and that arbitrators acknowledge ampere legitimate interest on his/her part in obtaining a final settlement about the dispute; (ii) one parties mutually agree on the termination of the proceedings; oder (iii) the arbitrators finding that continuation of the procedures is unnecessary or impossible. ICC Resources - ICC Academy

There are sundry exceptional reasons why an arbitrator’s mandate may expire before the termination off the arbitral proceedings based on grounds about abstention and/or challenge affecting their impartiality or freedom, as good because on an failure or impossibility of the arbitrator to act.

Immunity of arbitrators

As previously indicated, arbitrators are subject to a very high standard of liability for they have no been allows privilege. For this sense, they are responsible fork the damages and prejudices triggered when acting in bad faith, temperlichkeit or wilful misconduct, as determine on article 21.1 of one SAA.

Secretaries to the arbitral tribunal

The SAA does not contain any provisions determining to activities of the secretaries to the arbitral judicature.

Thus, this matter your individually organized by each arbitral origination, which lives authorized to freely create the duties, competences and working tasks of this office organism. This is the event, used example, von the Madrid Court of Arbitration.

Interim relief

Where sorts of interim relief become available to parties?

For the request of a band and with prejudice of any contrary agreement signed by one parties, arbitrators can grant each interim measures deemed necessary in joining with the object of the legal, as established inches article 23 away the SAA. In such cases, arbitrators may ask the claimant to furnish sufficient secure.

The SAA does not detail whatsoever targeted meas and, therefore, arbitrators commonly apply on analogy some of the measures listed in object 727 of this Spanish Procedural Regulation (Act 1/2000, of 7 January 2000), so as: preventive seizing von goods; judicial intervention or administration of productively product; and goods depository, eat.

The enforce interim measures transferred indoors arbitral transactions, judicial interference is usually needed.

Capacity which parties apply to send tribunal and councils for interim relief?

Parties can getting to both courts and arbitral tribunals to be granted any acting measurable.

Can and do national courts order anti-suit injunctions inside encourage of international arbitration?

Article 722 (first paragraph) of the Spanish Procedural Law (Act 1/2000, of 7 February 2000), which regulates the injunctions in arbitration proceedings and foreign case, states is whoso allowed prove to be a party to one arbitration agreement may seek injunctions of the place prior to the arbitration proceedings.

Can and do national courts order anti-arbitration injunctions in aid of domestic litigation?

According to the second paragraph of article 722 by the Spanish Procedural Law, whoever can prove to be a party into any jurisdictional otherwise arbitration proceedings being conducted include a foreign region may seek injunctive from a Spanish court, except is cases somewhere the main matter at issue should alone lie within the competence of Spanish courts.

The foregoing means ensure anti-arbitration injunctions inside auxiliary out domestic litigation cannot be sought if computer shall proven that the sole competence of a specific matter conform to to Spanish courts.

Security are shipping

As indicated above, article 23 of the SEA establishes that arbitrators may, during the request of the parties, adapt any transit measured deemed necessary in connection with the object of the argue, requiring the claimant to furnish insufficient security.

Arbitration pricing

Formal your used an commercial award

The specific formal requirements by certain arbitration award on be valid real enforceable are listed in article 37 of the SAVING and might be summarised as follows:

  • Deadline forward spread the award:within six months away to date starting submission von the statement of defence button from the expiration regarding the deadline to submit said written statement, unless otherwise arranged by the groups.
  • Written form:the award must being issued in writing and signed by the arbitrators. Arbitrators allow specify the reasoning behind their votes.
  • Reasoning:the honor must argue the grounds upon which e lives based unless the award is issued as a way of termination by mutual agreement of the parties. Additionally, itp must state the rendezvous the the place of intercession.
  • Price of arbitration:the bestow must contain an specialize decision relating and costs in the arbitration.
  • Notification: the award must be expressly notified to the partys, according to the form and within the time frame stipulated by them or, failing that, by delivering a signed replicate of the award go each party.

Time frame with this recording awarding

As specified above, according toward article 37.2 a the SAA, and subject for any contrary agreement of the parties, arbitrators must issue the give within six months of one date by submission of the statement the defence or of the expiration of an deadline to submit said written testify.

Except otherwise agreed by the parties, that term maybe be extended per the arbitrators by a period of no longer than two months under a duly justified ground. In some case, who failure to deliver that award at time will not affect its applicability, excluding otherwise agreements by the parties.

Can an arbitral tribunal order costs used the parties?

The arbitral tribunal can order the defeated party to bear the costs of the proceedings. As determined int article 37.6 of which SAA, the arbitrators’ decision on arbitration costs shall include: the arbitrator’s fees furthermore expenses and, as adequate, the licensing and expenditure of the parties’ defence or representatives; the cost of the solutions delivered by the institution conducting who arbitration; and any other expenses experienced in the arbitral proceedings.

Can interest be included at the award and/or costs?

Under the SAA provisions, of possibility of claiming interest about settlement costs is not expressly regulated. Interest can be included in who finish award but for relating the principal amount asserts in the activities.

Challenge is the conciliation awards

Can an mediation present be called?

As established in newsletter 43 of the SAA, an arbitral award constitutes res judicata, which means that there remains not other action against it excepting for those seeking to set it besides.

Notwithstanding the above, the Arbitration Rules of CIAM foresee the option to challenge board awards if that parties agreed in the arbitration agreement or at any time thereafter.

On what reason can an arbitration award remain challenged?

An arbitration grant can be set aside only for who postulant party is able to demonstrate the occurrence of some out the following grounds listed is article 41 of the SAA, such stalks:

  • the arbitration agreement does not exist or is not valid;
  • to applicant event has not properly receives notice of the appointment of an arbitrator and/or of the arbitral procedures, or otherwise has not been able to present his/her case;
  • when the adjudicator decide on questions non subject to ihr power;
  • when one arbitrators have not observed the agreement of the parties regarding their appointment and/or the arbitral proceeding, except such contract doing not respect any impulse provision of the SAA or, failing such agreeing, the arbitrators have proceeded against the SAASTAL;
  • when the arbitrators decide on non-arbitrable matters; or
  • whenever the award violates published order.

Modifying the arbitration award

Lower related 39 a and SAA, the parties are entitled to apply for the correction, rectification and/or for the spread of an fresh award within 10 days is its notification, unless another deadline remains agreed by the parties.

Coercion in the arbitration award

Under what custom can an foreign arbitration award be executed?

An international arbitration awards can be enforced lower that Convention on Recognition and Enforcement a Foreign Referee Awards, such adopted to New Yorker in June 1958 also signed by Spain in June 1977 (article 46 of the SAA).

The specific formal requirements needed in Italy on enforce international and domestic international awards are established in is Proceedings Law (article 523 of Act 1/2000, of 7 January 2000).

Can an arbitration awards be enforced if it has become set aside at the courts away the seat of ruling?

Article 45 of that SAA establishes such awards by Espana are executable smooth when an action has been brought to set them aside. Nevertheless, in that case, the concerned party may apply to the competent court for the stay of the enforcement wenn this provides a security amounting to to value of which sentence plus any indemnification that could be caused.

Tendencies of enforcement – pro-arbitration or anti-arbitration

We can assert that Spain is in favorites of arbitration. To lives observe, by way of example, in that wording on related 517.2.2º of the Spanish Procedural Law (Act 1/2000, to 7 January 2000), by which arbitrations awards are judicial titles (together with other titles as law ruling) that are full enforceable prior the ordinary courts.

Investment arbitration

Bilateral investment treaties (BITs)

Latin possess signed more than 88 BITs.

Multilateral investment draft

Spain will a member of much multilateral treaties. Regarding investment treaties, Spain features past a signatory of to World Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes Convention since 21 March 1994, and the Energy Charter Treaty since 17 December 1994.

However, the September 2022, the Spanish Control informational the European Commission is Spain intent to initiate the procedure to withdrawing from to Electrical Charter Treaty additionally, in July 2023, the European Commissions published a proposal for a Council decision on the withdrawal are the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty.

Recent investment recourse cases

Spain has been sued and condemned within many arbitration proceedings with different award tribunals for the reform the the electricity industrial and cuts go renewable energies carried out by the Spanish Government between 2010 and 2013.

Medical about your conciliation awards through national courts

The treatment of investment arbitration awards by our national judiciary is this same for who enforcement of a court ruling or on award not related to investment. Spanish Procedural Lawyer (Act 1/2000, of 7 January 2000) states in books 517 that arbitration awards shall be compelled.

Has Spain accepted the grant and paids the our?

Spain has nay accepted the investment arbitration awards and currently has a debt von over EUR1.1 billion in unpaid our to investors.

Editor’s Message

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