English Arbitration Bill’s third reading in House of Lords

The Bill to amend the Arbitration Act 1996 (Arbitration Bill) has passed its third reading in the House of Lords, and the Arbitration Bill will now proceed to the House of Commons to be considered. 
 
The Arbitration Bill was introduced originally in November 2023 but fell when Parliament was dissolved for the general election. It was re-introduced by the new government in July 2024. 
 
The Arbitration Bill deals with several issues including:

• clarifying the law applying to arbitration agreements;
• codifying arbitrators' disclosure obligations; 
• revising the framework for challenges to jurisdiction; and
• permitting the summary disposal of claims without merit.

During the third reading of the Arbitration Bill, the debate referred again to the issue of corruption in arbitration (following the debate on this issue at the Committee stage).  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State said again that the government did not consider it was appropriate to use the Arbitration Bill to deal with this matter.  However, the government did take the issue seriously, it was aware that the arbitration community was reviewing how corruption in arbitration can be identified and addressed, and it will support best practice as it develops.

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