Autonomous Versus Domestic Concepts under the New York Convention

Book excerpt: International Arbitration Law Library # 61 The 1958 New York Convention is universally acclaimed as one of the most important instruments on international commercial arbitration. Although the Convention ensures that contracting States cannot justify failure to comply with their treaty obligations by reference to domestic law, the courts of different contracting States apply the Convention differently. This diverging case law arises from uncertainty as to whether certain concepts employed in the Convention must be construed autonomously or in light of domestic law. This incomparable analysis of the New York Convention as an instrument of uniform law presents insightful contributions by some of the world’s most distinguished academics and practitioners in the field of arbitration and is sure to significantly contribute to arbitral practice and jurisprudence in the Convention’s more than 160 contracting States. With extensive reference to case law from major arbitration hubs, the contributors examine the Convention with the aim of identifying the boundaries between autonomous and domestic concepts. Key elements covered include the following: the role of private international law under the Convention; notions of arbitrability and arbitral award; procedures for the enforcement of awards; nullity, invalidity, and conflict of laws under Articles II(3) and V(1)(a); the incapacity defence under Article V(1)(a); deviations from procedure; autonomous boundaries as to what falls under the issue of scope; and public policy under the Convention. The first and only resource of its kind, this book provides an invaluable clarification of the extent to which the Convention leaves room for the application of domestic law and, if so, how to determine which particular domestic law may be applicable. It will be welcomed by counsel, judges, arbitrators, and academics throughout the States that have signed the New York Convention.