• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.38
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• pp.155-180
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• 2008

The purpose of this paper is to examine the major elements of Arbitration Clause in international investment contracts and to help the investor, especially foreign investors, considering these elements when they draft the contracts. First of all, to describe the extent of the arbitrable issues broadly is very important by using the phrase such as "disputes in connection with". Furthermore in order to be enforceable, the issues must be a subject-matter to be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the laws of the place of arbitration and the law application to the merits of the disputes (N.Y. Convention, Art. II). Second, the appointment of the arbitrators usually shall be based on the principle of freedom of contract. If the parties do not agree on the appointment, it is decided in accordance with the arbitration rules of the institution by the tribunal. Third, the procedural rules of the arbitration are the arbitration rules of the arbitration institution in case of institution arbitration, unless otherwise agreed. Forth, what is the most importance element of Arbitration Clause is the place of arbitration. In this case, also the principle of freedom of contract has priority. Unless otherwise agreed, Washington is the place of arbitration in case of ICSID Arbitration, but in case of ICC Arbitration, neutral third country may be the place of arbitration. However in case of ad hoc arbitration, both parties should indicate the place. If not, the whole arbitration may be paralysed by an uncooperative party. Besides the major elements, I examined the relation between the arbitration clause and award enforcement in terms of sovereign immunity. The enforcement of awards in the field of state contracts many encounter the problem of the sovereign immunity, which means that the State itself or the State enterprise is the contract partner. To avoid the this problems, it is advisable for the parties insert the clause such as ICSID Model Clause XIX.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.67-86
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• 2020

In the case of multiple commerce contracts in commerce, as well as multiple contracts related to it, a solution for the merging of arbitration proceedings is necessary in order to ensure uniformity of dispute resolution. Since the arbitration proceedings are based on the parties' agreement, no merging of two or more arbitration proceedings may transpire unless all parties agree. Claims of merging in arbitration proceedings lead to problems such as lack of party autonomy, resulting from lack of consent of the parties to merging, and how to appoint an arbitrator in a multilateral arbitration proceeding. Many of the major arbitration bodies have recognized the significant benefits of the terms of consolidation, and have recently revised the Arbitration Rules to include or extend existing clauses to reflect the needs of the parties. This study introduces the merging provisions of several selected major arbitration rules, such as the ICC, Switzerland, SCC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, ACICA, and UNCITRAL rules, and looks at the main similarities and differences among the rules.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.3-37
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• 2020

The Korean Arbitration Act (KAA) enacted in 1966 was entirely revised in 1999, adopting the 1985 UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. Korea is trying to be an international arbitration hub in the region, taking advantage of its geographical location in Asia and its highly open economy. KAA was revised in 2016 again in order to reflect the criticisms against the previous KAA, changes in the arbitration environment, and the 2006 amendment to the UNCITRAL Model Law. The basic direction of the revision was to maintain the UNCITRAL Model Law system and to deal with the national arbitration and international arbitration in the same framework. The scope of revision covers all fields of arbitration, including arbitration agreements, arbitrators, arbitral proceedings, interim measures of the arbitral tribunals, recognition/enforcement of arbitral awards, and their annulment. This paper aims to introduce the important issues of the 2016 revision of KAA, to offer important information discussed in the process of revision, and thus to help those concerned in the interpretation and implementation of KAA. The 2016 revision of KAA is expected to help greatly in promoting not only the national arbitration, but also the international arbitration in Korea.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.35
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• pp.125-144
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• 2007

The objective of this study is to find out whether Korean companies which are doing a lot of commercial transactions with Indian companies can consider appointing ICA as a trustworthy institution and using ICA arbitration rules as a governing arbitration rule, when a dispute between Korean companies and Indian companies occurs. Up to now, in the case of dispute with Indian companies, Korean companies are hesitant to utilize ICA as well as ICA arbitration rules as a alternative dispute resolution, owing to lack of understanding on its rules. But, it is obvious that Korean companies which come to have better knowledge on ICA and its rules may consider more positively using ICA as well as ICA arbitration rules as a dispute resolution rather than using other arbitration institutions like ICC and KCAB etc. in the case of disputes with Indian companies because ICA arbitration rules are very objective and similar to other arbitration rules like ICC rules as well as KCAB(Korean Commercial Arbitration Board) international arbitration rules which are frequently being used by Korean companies and also have other several advantages like cheaper cost of arbitration and fast track arbitration procedures. In conclusion, ICA and its rules can also be recommended as a public-trustworthy arbitration option if Korean companies want to resolve some dispute cases with Indian companies.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.151-182
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• 2006

The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) established UNIDROIT principles, which could be applicable as international unified rules. The UNIDROIT Principles plays the role of interpreting and complementing CISG and functions as a law applicable to international commercial disputes. As shown by cases of practical application so far, the principles are expected to be applied frequently to international commercial arbitration in the future. In the situation that there is no internationally unified judicature, it is necessary to promote rational dispute resolution and legal stability through arbitration by adopting the UNIDROIT Principles of Lex Mercatoria as a governing law of international commercial contracts. In conclusion, UNIDROIT principles, along with CISG, are expected to playa great role as the applicable law of international commercial contracts and as standards for resolving international commercial disputes.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.67-86
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• 2014

The commercial arbitration is considered an effective and rapid means in solving problems and finding solutions for disputes between the business partners. For the development of commercial arbitration, there is a need to study arbitration in practice as well as in theory. This paper analyse the situation of commercial arbitration system in Pakistan both with respect to domestic laws and international laws applicable in Pakistan. The Arbitration Bill 2009 aims to consolidate law relating domestic arbitration, international commercial arbitration, recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards as well as settlement of international investment disputes. Pakistan while defending investment claims and in order to restore investor's confidence, in 2011, Pakistan introduced a law to secure foreign investments. This study explains the relationship of old and new Pakistani arbitration laws and elaborates the changes brought about by the new enactments and gives a comprehensive analysis of Pakistani arbitration laws, rules and procedures dealing with arbitration agreements and awards. In the absence of relevant trade information in Pakistan, this paper is designed to meet the needs of a Korean international trade scholars to obtain an understanding of Pakistani commercial arbitration system quickly.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.197-227
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• 2009

This study describe the brief history and current statutes of Philippine arbitration. The practice of arbitration in the Philippines can be traced as far back as the barangay. From 1521, Spanish Civil Code became effective in the Philippines. During this period, the Supreme court was discouraged by the tendency of some courts to nullify arbitration clauses on the ground that the clauses ousted the judiciary of its jurisdiction. According to the growing need for a law regulating arbitration in general was acknowledged when Republic Act No.876(1953), otherwise known as the Arbitration Law, was passed. In 1958, the Philippines became a signatory to the New York Convention and in 1967 the said Convention was ratified. But no legislation has been passed. As a consequence, foreign arbitral awards have sometimes been deemed only presumptively valid, rather than conclusively valid. Fifty years after, the Philippine Congress enacted, Republic Act No. 9285, otherwise know as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004. The enactment was the Philippines solution to making arbitration an efficient and effective method specially for international arbitration. To keep pace with the developments in international trade, ADR Act of 2004 also ensured that international commercial arbitration would be governed by the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Arbitration and also fortified the use and purpose of the New York Convention by specifically mandating. If the international commercial arbitration will be revitalization in the near future in the Philippine, it will be shown that the model law's comprehensive provisions will give the beat framework for arbitration.. The writer expect that Philippines continues in its effort to be the premier site for international arbitration in Southeast Asia.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.64
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• pp.65-97
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• 2014

Arbitration is the dispute methods for speedy and economic resolutions in international commercial areas. In maritime disputes cases in East Asia, Korea and Japan are the regional benefits to cover and deal with the maritime cases on arbitration. And Korea and Japan are the competitive maritime industry for heavy shipbuilding industry, cargo carrier, processing and transhipment service on ports, and ship financial services in national competitive areas. Japan is the Tokyo maritime arbitration commission(TOMAC) as an uniquely capable of dealing with arbitrations involving problems arising in the sea field. TOMAC provides amended its arbitration rules 2014 aiming at matching with the maritime disputes circumstances with three maritime arbitration rules as ordinary rules, simplified rules and the rules of small claims arbitration procedure. KCAB however, as the unique commercial arbitration board in Korea is dealing on all of the commercial disputes on only the international commercial arbitration rules in 2011. Though KCAB is dealt with maritime dispute cases on international arbitration rules in Korea, it is small and simple compared with TOMAC in Japan. Maritime disputes are highly complicated and embroiled with multi-parties contract and subcontracts arising under contracts relating to bills of lading, charter parties, sale and purchase of ships, shipbuilding, ship financing and so forth. This paper is to provides a discussion and comparison on recently arbitration rules focus on the maritime aspects on Korea and Japan. We need to consider to make an independent and special institute and maritime arbitration rules including the multiparty consolidation and med-arb provisions for handling the disputes and resolution of maritime conflict cases in Korea.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.161-184
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• 2020

In the process of the annulment of arbitral awards, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court contributes to keeping Switzerland as a venue for international arbitration. Challenges to an award rendered in Switzerland are handled by the Swiss Supreme Court only. Furthermore, the Swiss law provides extremely limited grounds (PILA 190) for the potential challenge of the award and those are different from what model law countries have. For example, violations of the parties' agreed procedural arrangements will not be grounds for the annulment of an award in Swiss. In arbitration, the intervention of a national court is necessary to protect justice but at the same time, it can impede the process of arbitration, even making it useless. Limited intervention of the Swiss Supreme Court protects the efficiency, autonomy, and justice of international arbitration. International Arbitration has to be simple and fast to solve complex international commercial problems and to promote trade. Therefore, the process and technique to be applied on an Arbitration-friendly Swiss court should be considered.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.123-138
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• 2013

The surge of cross border trade and transactions has seen international arbitration fast emerging as the preferred mode of dispute resolution. This phenomenon is especially remarkable in the Asian region. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre ("SIAC") aspires to contribute to this growth as one of the leading arbitral institutions. The objective of this article is to provide an insight into the key features of SIAC Rules. This article has been divided into two parts; the first part discusses how the SIAC Rules are helpful in building bridges in international arbitration between the common law and civil law systems. We have attempted to throw light on how the SIAC Rules may be tailored by the parties to bring about a harmonization in the common law and civil law practices in the conduct of the arbitration proceedings. In the second part of the article, we discuss the two most popular procedures introduced in the SIAC Rules in 2010 i.e. 'Emergency Arbitration' and 'Expedited procedures'. The emergency arbitration provisions enable a party to obtain order(s)/award for urgent interim relief(s) upon commencement of arbitral proceedings but pending the constitution of the main Tribunal. The expedited Procedure provisions give parties the option of having their disputes determined in six (6) months from the date of the constitution of the tribunal.