{"id":153728,"date":"2026-11-04T10:38:34","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T10:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=153728"},"modified":"2026-11-04T12:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T12:45:22","slug":"dominican-republic-international-arbitration","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/dominican-republic-international-arbitration\/","title":{"rendered":"Dominican Republic: International Arbitration"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-153728","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-international-arbitration","jurisdictions-dominican-republic"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Bobadilla Abogados<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/10\/Bobadilla-Logo.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Bobadilla Abogados<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/10\/Bobadilla-Logo.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of International Arbitration laws and regulations applicable in Dominican Republic<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legislation applies to arbitration in your country? Are there any mandatory laws?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Arbitration in the Dominican Republic is governed by Law No. 489-08 on Commercial Arbitration, promulgated on 19 December 2008 (the \u201cArbitration Law\u201d). The Arbitration Law applies to arbitrations conducted in the territory of the Dominican Republic, without prejudice to international treaties to which the country is a party and to special laws containing arbitration provisions (article 1(1)). Certain provisions also apply where the seat of the arbitration is abroad: the rules on court competence for interim measures and for exequatur of foreign awards (article 9(3) and (6)), the form of the arbitration agreement (article 10), the referral of disputes to arbitration (article 12), interim measures ordered by the tribunal (article 21) and the rules on recognition and enforcement of awards (Chapter VIII) (article 1(2)). The same law governs domestic and international arbitration; an arbitration is international where the parties have their establishments in different States, where the parties are domiciled outside the Dominican Republic, or where a substantial part of the obligations is to be performed in a State other than that of the parties\u2019 domicile (article 1). The Arbitration Law repealed articles 1003 to 1028 of the Code of Civil Procedure (article 47).<\/p>\n<p>Other relevant sources include article 220 of the Constitution, which allows the State to submit disputes arising from its contracts to arbitration; Law No. 50-87 on Chambers of Commerce and Production, which authorizes the chambers to establish arbitration bodies within their jurisdictions (article 15); and the international treaties referred to in our answers to questions 2 and 3.<\/p>\n<p>The Arbitration Law provides that the autonomy of the parties prevails, except where it conflicts with matters regulated exclusively by the law (article 4(5)). Disputes relating to civil status, alimony, separation of spouses, guardianship, minors and persons subject to interdiction or absent persons, disputes concerning public order and, in general, disputes that are not subject to settlement cannot be submitted to arbitration (article 3). Where the State is a party, specific notification requirements apply, and the arbitration cannot proceed, on pain of nullity, without proof that the State has been notified (article 5). The parties must be treated with equality, each must be given a full opportunity to assert its rights (article 22(1)), and parties must be assisted by counsel at hearings (article 28(2)). Law No. 86-11 on the Availability of Public Funds is also relevant to enforcement against public entities, as it prohibits garnishment of public funds and provides that final judgments ordering the State and other public entities to pay sums of money are satisfied from the budget of the entity concerned (articles 1, 3 and 4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is your country a signatory to the New York Convention? Are there any reservations to the general obligations of the Convention?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. The Dominican Republic acceded to the New York Convention on 11 April 2002, and the Convention entered into force for the country on 10 July 2002. The Dominican Republic made no reservations or declarations.<\/p>\n<p>The Arbitration Law provides that awards made abroad are enforced in the Dominican Republic in accordance with the Arbitration Law and the treaties in force in the country (article 42). The grounds on which recognition or enforcement may be refused are set forth in article 45 of the Arbitration Law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What other arbitration-related treaties and conventions is your country a party to?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Dominican Republic is a party to the Inter-American Convention on International Commercial Arbitration (Panama, 1975), which in practice operates alongside the New York Convention in relations with other States of the Americas.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the Dominican Republic signed, but has not ratified, the ICSID Convention on March 20<sup>th<\/sup>, 2000. As a result, investor-State disputes involving the Dominican Republic are conducted under other rules, most often the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules or the ICSID Additional Facility Rules, and awards are enforced under the New York Convention rather than the ICSID enforcement regime.<\/p>\n<p>The main instruments containing investor-State arbitration provisions are Chapter 10 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), the Free Trade Agreement with CARICOM, the Free Trade Agreement with the Central American countries, and a number of bilateral investment treaties, including those with Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Chile, Finland and Taiwan. The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement provides for State-to-State dispute settlement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is the law governing international arbitration in your country based on the UNCITRAL Model Law? Are there significant differences between the two? Are there any impending plans to reform the arbitration laws in your country? Has your jurisdiction adopted, or is it considering adopting, the amendments of 6 July 2026 regarding electronic awards and communications?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. The Arbitration Law is based on the 1985 UNCITRAL Model Law, and UNCITRAL lists the Dominican Republic among the jurisdictions that have adopted legislation based on the Model Law. UNCITRAL does not classify the Arbitration Law as incorporating the 2006 amendments, and the Arbitration Law does not contain the 2006 regime on interim measures and preliminary orders (chapter IV A of the amended Model Law).<\/p>\n<p>The Arbitration Law departs from the Model Law in several respects, including the following: (i) the number of arbitrators must be odd and, failing agreement, the tribunal is composed of a sole arbitrator (article 14); (ii) where a court grants interim measures, it must require the applicant to file its claim before the arbitral tribunal within 60 days (article 13); (iii) in ad hoc arbitration, unless otherwise agreed, the claimant must propose or appoint its arbitrators together with the claim, and the arbitrators must be appointed within 30 days of notification of the claim (article 27); (iv) the parties must be assisted by counsel at hearings (article 28(2)); (v) where the State is a party, the claim must be notified to the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Comptroller General, and the arbitration cannot proceed, on pain of nullity, without proof of that notification (article 5); (vi) a judicial court seized of a dispute covered by an arbitration agreement must declare itself incompetent at the request of the defendant, without the court being required to examine whether the agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed, as article 8(1) of the Model Law provides (article 12); (vii) the action for annulment must be brought within one month of notification of the award, rather than within the three months provided by article 34(3) of the Model Law (article 39(5)); and (viii) exequatur of foreign awards falls within the competence of the Civil and Commercial Chamber of the Court of First Instance of the National District, and an exequatur granted by that court is effective throughout the country (article 9(6)).<\/p>\n<p>A bill to amend the Arbitration Law, sponsored by Deputy Vicente S\u00e1nchez, was under review by the Permanent Committee on Industry and Commerce of the Chamber of Deputies as of November 2025, when the Committee held a working session on it with the participation of representatives of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce and Production. The bill was not passed within the period allowed by local law and has therefore lapsed. We are not aware of any other pending bill to amend the Arbitration Law.<\/p>\n<p>The Dominican Republic has not adopted the amendments to the Model Law on awards in electronic form adopted by UNCITRAL on 6 July 2026. However, the Arbitration Law already provides that an award is in writing where its content and signatures are recorded and accessible for later consultation in electronic, optical or other form (article 36(3)). In addition, Law No. 126-02 provides that information may not be denied legal effect, validity or binding force solely because it is in the form of a digital document or data message (article 4), that a digital document satisfies a legal requirement that information be in writing (article 5), and that a digital signature meeting the statutory requirements has the same force and effect as a handwritten signature (article 31). The new Arbitration Rules of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce and Production, which enter into force on November 2<sup>nd<\/sup>, 2026, provide for awards to be signed with a qualified electronic signature (article 44.1).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What arbitral institutions (if any) exist in your country? When were their rules last amended? Are any amendments being considered?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under articles 3 and 15 of Law No. 50-87 on Chambers of Commerce and Production and its amendments including Lae 36-23 dated June 23, 2023 (\u201cLaw No. 50-87 on Chambers of Commerce and Production\u201d), a Chamber of Commerce and Production may be established in each province, and each chamber may establish within its jurisdiction a Court of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution to administer the resolution of disputes between natural or legal persons who have agreed to submit their disputes to alternative dispute resolution under the rules of the relevant chamber. At present, such courts operate within the chambers of Santo Domingo, Santiago, La Romana and Puerto Plata, and we are not aware of any other arbitral institution in the country that is not attached to a chamber of commerce and production.<\/p>\n<p>The main arbitral institution is the Court of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santo Domingo (Corte de Arbitraje y Resoluci\u00f3n Alternativa de Conflictos de la C\u00e1mara de Comercio y Producci\u00f3n de Santo Domingo, the \u201cCourt\u201d), formerly the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CRC). The Court is constituted under articles 15 to 17 of Law No. 50-87 on Chambers of Commerce and Production (article 1.1 of its Rules).<\/p>\n<p>The Court\u2019s Arbitration Rules of 21 July 2011 have been replaced by a new edition of its Arbitration Rules (the \u201c2026 Rules\u201d), in force from 2 November 2026. Arbitrations commenced before that date continue to be governed by the rules under which they were commenced (article 48.2). The 2026 Rules include several annexes, among them internal procedural norms, guidelines for tribunals and parties, a Code of Ethics for arbitrators, the norm on costs and fees, the Emergency Arbitrator Rules and a norm on the use of digital means. The main changes include:<\/p>\n<p>(i) an emergency arbitrator, who may be requested at any time before the file is delivered to the arbitral tribunal, whether or not a request for arbitration has been filed (article 37 and Annex VI); the emergency arbitrator provisions do not apply where the arbitration agreement was concluded before 2 November 2026, unless the parties have agreed in writing to their application, where the parties have excluded them, or where the arbitration agreement derives from an international treaty (article 37.4);<\/p>\n<p>(ii) electronic filings and notifications (article 2), digital signature of the terms of reference (article 29.3), hearings by videoconference or other means (article 35.2), and the signature of awards with a qualified electronic signature (article 44.1 and Annex VII);<\/p>\n<p>(iii) a duty for the tribunal to make every effort to conduct the arbitration expeditiously and cost-effectively, taking into account the complexity and value of the dispute (article 28.1(a)), and to adopt, after consulting the parties, procedural measures such as bifurcation, partial awards and limits on the length of submissions, witness statements and expert reports (article 28.3);<\/p>\n<p>(iv) rules on the joinder of additional parties, multiparty and multi-contract arbitrations and the consolidation of arbitrations (articles 11 to 14);<\/p>\n<p>(v) an obligation for each party to disclose the existence and identity of any third party funding it (article 19.5 and Annex II, section 4);<\/p>\n<p>(vi) a Code of Ethics for arbitrators (Annex IV) establishing minor, serious and very serious infractions, sanctioned respectively by written admonition, suspension for up to five years and permanent disqualification from acting as an arbitrator before the Court, with the possible additional loss of fees (articles 14 and 15 of the Code); and<\/p>\n<p>(vii) the possibility of publishing awards with the consent of both parties (article 5.3), after removal of confidential information and with the use of pseudonyms or anonymization (Annex I, section 5.3).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a specialist arbitration court in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">There is no specialist arbitration court in the Dominican Republic. However, there are specialized rules for sports disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">First, the Sports Arbitration Tribunal (Tribunal Arbitral de Deportes), created by the General Sports Law (Law No. 356-05), has jurisdiction over disputes arising from the practice and organization of sport, disputes within or between sports organizations, and appeals against final decisions of sports organizations (article 135). Its Rules were approved by the Dominican Olympic Committee in 2013 and, under an agreement between the Olympic Committee and the Court, its cases are administered by the Court\u2019s Secretariat; under those Rules, the <i>Bufete Directivo<\/i> does not intervene.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Second, the Court has its own Sports Arbitration Rules, approved on 10 March 2015, which allow sports federations to provide for arbitration under the Rules in their statutes, affiliation documents or contracts with clubs and athletes, and to delegate to the Court the management of their internal procedures (article 2.1). The Court keeps an official list of sports arbitrators (article 1.8), disputes are normally decided by a sole arbitrator (article 13.1), time limits are shorter than under the general rules, and awards are binding, immediately enforceable and rendered in a single and final instance (article 1.9). At present, the Sports Arbitration Rules are used only in disputes between Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs and players, under an agreement between MLB and the Court.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the validity requirements for an arbitration agreement under the laws of your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Under the Arbitration Law, an arbitration agreement is an agreement by which the parties decide to submit to arbitration all or certain disputes that have arisen or may arise between them in regard to a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not. It may take the form of an arbitration clause in a contract or of a separate agreement (article 10(1)). The subject matter must be such that the parties may freely dispose of and settle (article 2(1)) and must not fall within the excluded matters listed in article 3.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The agreement must be in writing. It is in writing when it is contained in a document signed by the parties or in an exchange of letters, faxes, telegrams, emails or other means of telecommunication that record the agreement and are accessible for later consultation in electronic, optical or other form (article 10(2)). An arbitration agreement contained in a document to which the parties have referred in any of those forms is deemed incorporated into their agreement (article 10(3)), and there is also a written agreement when its existence is asserted by one party in an exchange of statements of claim and defense within the arbitral proceedings and not denied by the other (article 10(4)).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are arbitration clauses considered separable from the main contract?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. Under article 11 of the Arbitration Law, an arbitration agreement that forms part of a contract is considered an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract. Accordingly, the non-existence or the total or partial nullity of the contract does not necessarily entail the non-existence, ineffectiveness or invalidity of the arbitration agreement, and the arbitrators may decide freely on the dispute, including defects affecting the contract. However, where the complete nullity of the contract results from a court judgment that has become final and irrevocable, the arbitration agreement does not survive (article 11(3)).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do the courts of your country apply a validation principle under which an arbitration agreement should be considered valid and enforceable if it would be so considered under at least one of the national laws potentially applicable to it?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes, in international arbitration this principle is expressly embodied in the Arbitration Law.<\/p>\n<p>Under article 10(5) of the Arbitration Law, where the arbitration is international, the arbitration agreement is valid and the dispute is arbitrable if they meet the requirements of the rules of law chosen by the parties to govern the arbitration agreement, of the rules of law applicable to the merits of the dispute, or of Dominican law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are asymmetric arbitration clauses \u2013 for instance, where one party has the right to choose between arbitration or litigation while the other party does not have this option \u2013 valid in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The validity of asymmetric arbitration clauses has not been settled in the Dominican Republic: neither the Arbitration Law nor, to our knowledge, any reported decision of the Dominican courts addresses them. An argument against their validity could be based on article 1174 of the Civil Code, under which an obligation contracted under a condition that depends solely on the will of the party bound is null.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">In consumer contracts of adhesion, any clause that imposes on the consumer the obligation to use arbitration exclusively is null and without effect, whether or not the clause is asymmetric (Law No. 358-05 on the Protection of Consumer Rights, article 83, Paragraph I(d)). Contractual clauses in such contracts are always interpreted in the manner most favorable to the consumer (article 82).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In what instances can third parties or non-signatories be bound by an arbitration agreement? Are there any recent court decisions on these issues?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not contain provisions on the extension of the arbitration agreement to third parties or non-signatories. We are not aware of recent court decisions on the extension of arbitration agreements to non-signatories.<\/p>\n<p>At the institutional level, the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce allow any party to request the joinder of an additional party (article 11.1). Before the tribunal is constituted, the <em>Bufete Directivo<a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\"><strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/em> may decide whether the arbitration proceeds with respect to all or some of the parties where it finds, <em>prima facie<\/em>, that one or more arbitration agreements referring to the Rules may bind them (article 9.3). Unless all parties, including the additional party, agree otherwise, no joinder is possible after the appointment of any arbitrator, except that requests made after such appointment are decided by the tribunal, subject to the additional party\u2019s acceptance of the constitution of the tribunal (articles 11.2 and 11.8). In deciding, the tribunal considers, among other circumstances, whether it has <em>prima facie<\/em> jurisdiction over the additional party, the timing of the request, possible conflicts of interest and the effects on the proceedings, without prejudice to its decision on jurisdiction (article 11.9).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> The Court is composed of a governing body, the <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em>, whose members are responsible for the administration of the arbitrations conducted under its Rules and decide matters such as the appointment, confirmation and challenge of arbitrators and the review of draft awards, and of a Secretariat, which manages the proceedings on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any recent court decisions and\/or legislative reform in your country concerning the choice of law applicable to an arbitration agreement where no such law has been specified by the Parties?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No. We are not aware of recent court decisions or legislative reforms on this issue. Since 2008, the Arbitration Law has provided that, absent a choice by the parties, the validity of the arbitration agreement is assessed under Dominican law in annulment proceedings (article 39(2)(a)) and under the law of the country where the award was made in recognition proceedings (article 45(1)(a)). In international arbitration, the agreement is also valid if it meets the requirements of the law applicable to the merits or of Dominican law (article 10(5)).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is the law applicable to the substance determined? Is there a specific set of choice of law rules in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under article 33 of the Arbitration Law, the tribunal decides <em>ex aequo et bono<\/em> or as amiable compositeur only if the parties have expressly authorized it to do so (article 33(1)). In international arbitration, the tribunal decides the dispute in accordance with the rules of law chosen by the parties, and any designation of the law of a given State is understood, unless otherwise expressed, to refer to its substantive law and not to its conflict of laws rules (article 33(2)). If the parties have not indicated the applicable rules of law, the tribunal applies those it considers appropriate (article 33(3)). In all cases, the tribunal decides in accordance with the terms of the contract and takes into account the applicable usages (article 33(4)).<\/p>\n<p>The Dominican Republic has a codified set of choice of law rules in Law No. 544-14 on Private International Law dated December 2014. A contract is governed by the law chosen by the parties (article 58). If the parties have not chosen a law, or if their choice is ineffective, the contract is governed by the law of the State with which it has the closest connection (article 60), and the court takes into account all objective and subjective elements arising from the contract, as well as the general principles of international business law accepted by international organizations (article 61).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your country, are there any particular requirements for and\/or restrictions in the appointment of arbitrators?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Per The Arbitration Law, the number of arbitrators must be odd and, failing agreement, a sole arbitrator is appointed (article 14). The Arbitration Law does not impose nationality or professional requirements on arbitrators, but a party may challenge an arbitrator who does not possess the qualifications agreed by the parties (article 16(2)). Every person appointed as arbitrator must disclose in writing all circumstances that may give rise to justifiable doubts as to his or her impartiality or independence, from the time of appointment and throughout the proceedings (article 16(1)).<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, failing agreement on the number of arbitrators, the <em>Bufete Directivo <\/em>appoints a sole arbitrator unless it considers that the dispute warrants three, and the number of arbitrators must in all cases be odd (article 16.1). Arbitrators nominated by the parties or the co-arbitrators who are not on the Court\u2019s list of arbitrators must be confirmed by the <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em> (article 16.4). Where the parties are of different nationalities, the sole arbitrator or presiding arbitrator must be of a nationality different from that of the parties, unless the parties agree otherwise or do not object (article 16.5), and where the arbitration agreement derives from a free trade or investment agreement, no arbitrator may share the nationality of any party, unless the parties agree otherwise (article 16.6). Arbitrators must sign a declaration of availability, impartiality and independence (articles 18.2 and 19.2) and are bound by the Court\u2019s Code of Ethics, whether or not they are on its list (article 1.1 of the Code).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can the local courts intervene in the selection of arbitrators? If so, how?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>It depends on whether the arbitration is ad hoc or institutional and on the applicable rules. The parties may appoint the arbitrators directly or delegate the appointment to a third party (article 15(1)). In ad hoc arbitration with three or more arbitrators, if a party fails to appoint its arbitrator or arbitrators within 30 days of receiving a request to do so from the other party, the appointment is made by the competent court at the request of the other party (article 15(2)). Failing agreement, in ad hoc arbitration the arbitrators are appointed by the competent court at the request of a party, while in institutional arbitration they are appointed in accordance with the rules of the institution (article 15(3)).<\/p>\n<p>The competent court is the Court of First Instance of the place of arbitration; if the place has not yet been determined, the court of the domicile of any of the respondents; if none of them is domiciled in the Dominican Republic, the court of the claimant\u2019s domicile; and failing that, the court of the claimant\u2019s choice (article 9(1)). The court acts in non-contentious proceedings (article 9(7)). It may only reject the request if the documents submitted do not show the existence of an arbitration agreement (article 15(4)), and it must take into account the requirements agreed to by the parties and the subject matter, and take the necessary measures to guarantee the independence and impartiality of the arbitrator (article 15(5)). The court\u2019s decision appointing an arbitrator is not subject to any recourse; only a decision rejecting the request on the ground that no arbitration agreement has been shown may be challenged (article 15(6)).<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, appointments in default of the parties or co-arbitrators are made by the Bufete Directivo (article 17), so court intervention should not apply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can the appointment of an arbitrator be challenged? What are the grounds for such a challenge? What is the procedure for such a challenge?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. Under article 16(2) of the Arbitration Law, an arbitrator may be challenged only if there are circumstances giving rise to justifiable doubts as to his or her impartiality or independence, or if he or she does not possess the qualifications agreed by the parties. A party may challenge the arbitrator it appointed, or in whose appointment it participated, only for reasons it became aware of after the appointment.<\/p>\n<p>In ad hoc arbitration, the parties are free to agree on the challenge procedure (article 17(1)). Failing agreement, the challenging party must submit a written statement of the grounds for the challenge to the arbitral tribunal within 15 days of becoming aware of the acceptance of the arbitrator or of any circumstance giving rise to justifiable doubts as to his or her impartiality or independence (article 17(2)). If the challenge is unsuccessful, the challenging party may appeal, in a single and final instance and in chambers, to the Court of Appeal of the department of the place of arbitration (article 17(3)). Where the challenge concerns a sole arbitrator or the entire tribunal, the Court of Appeal is competent in chambers, and its decision is subject only to an appeal in cassation (article 9(8)).<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, a challenge, whether based on lack of impartiality or independence or on any other ground, must be filed in writing with the Secretariat (article 20.1) within 15 days of notification of the arbitrator\u2019s appointment or, if later, of the date on which the party is deemed to have become aware of the grounds (article 20.2). The other parties and the challenged arbitrator have 10 days to respond (article 20.3), and the <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em> decides definitively on the admissibility and merits of the challenge within 15 days (article 20.4). After the terms of reference have been signed, an arbitrator may only be challenged on grounds shown to have become known after their date (article 20.5). The <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em>\u2019s decisions on the challenge of arbitrators are final (article 22).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any recent developments concerning the duty of independence and impartiality of the arbitrators, including the duty of disclosure?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There have been no recent legislative changes to the duty of disclosure in article 16(1) of the Arbitration Law and, to our knowledge, no recent court decisions on it. The main development is institutional. The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber require arbitrators to reveal any circumstance that may, in the eyes of the parties, call into question their impartiality or independence, both on accepting their appointment and immediately if it arises later (articles 19.2 and 19.4). They also require parties to disclose any third-party funding (article 19.5; see question 34) and provide that disclosures are assessed against the latest version of the IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest (see question 27). Under the Court\u2019s Code of Ethics, a material inaccuracy or omission in an arbitrator\u2019s declaration is a serious infraction (article 14.3(d) of the Code).<\/p>\n<p>The guidelines annexed to the 2026 Rules also require a prospective arbitrator to decline the appointment, without undue delay, where (a) he or she has doubts as to his or her ability to act impartially towards any of the parties; (b) there are circumstances that, in the eyes of a third party, give rise to justifiable doubts as to his or her impartiality or independence; (c) he or she does not possess the qualifications required by the parties; or (d) he or she lacks the time necessary to perform the role. They further suggest that the candidate consider whether he or she has been objected to at the outset of the proceedings on reasonable grounds (Annex II, section 1.2.5).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are arbitrators immune from liability?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not contain any provision on the immunity or liability of arbitrators. The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce provide that the arbitrators, any person appointed by the tribunal, the members of the <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em>, the Court, the Chamber and their employees are not liable to any person for any act or omission in connection with the arbitration, except to the extent that such limitation of liability is prohibited by the applicable law (article 49.1). We are not aware of any final and irrevocable decision in which an arbitrator has been held liable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is the principle of competence-competence recognized in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. Under article 20 of the Arbitration Law, the arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction, including on objections relating to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement, or any other objection that would prevent it from deciding the merits (article 20(1)). An objection to the tribunal\u2019s jurisdiction must be raised no later than in the statement of defense, and an objection that the tribunal is exceeding its mandate must be raised as soon as the matter in question arises; the tribunal may admit a later objection if it considers the delay justified (article 20(2)). The tribunal may decide these objections as a preliminary matter, before ruling on the merits. Its decision may only be challenged through the action for annulment of the award in which it was adopted and, if the objections are dismissed, the action for annulment does not suspend the arbitration (article 20(3)).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the approach of local courts towards a party commencing litigation in apparent breach of an arbitration agreement?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under article 12(1) of the Arbitration Law, a court seized of a dispute that is subject to an arbitration agreement must declare itself incompetent when the defendant so requests. The objection must be decided as a preliminary matter, and no recourse lies against the decision. On upholding the objection, the court must order the parties to proceed before the competent jurisdiction (article 12(2)). Once seized, the arbitral tribunal may continue to hear the case and render an award notwithstanding the judicial court proceedings (article 12(3)). Unlike article 8(1) of the Model Law, article 12 does not refer to an examination by the court of whether the agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What happens when a respondent fails to participate in the arbitration? Can the local courts compel participation?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, where, without showing sufficient cause, the respondent fails to submit its defense within the applicable time limit, having been duly notified, or a party fails to appear at a hearing or to produce evidence, the arbitrators may continue the proceedings and render an award on the basis of the evidence before them, and the failure to appear does not imply an admission of the arguments or evidence examined (article 29(1)). In such cases, the proceedings and the decision are considered to have been conducted in the presence of both parties, and the award cannot be challenged for violation of the right of defense (article 29(2)). Where the State is a party, the arbitration cannot proceed, on pain of nullity, without proof that the State has been notified (article 5).<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce likewise provide that, if a duly notified party refuses or fails to participate at any stage, the arbitration continues and is deemed to have been conducted in the presence of both parties (article 10), and that if a party refuses to sign the terms of reference, the arbitration proceeds as if it had been signed once the Bufete Directivo has verified its regularity and the period granted for signature has expired (article 29.4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can third parties voluntarily join arbitration proceedings? If all parties agree to the intervention, is the tribunal bound by this agreement? If all parties do not agree to the intervention, can the tribunal allow for it?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not regulate the intervention of third parties.<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, if, before any arbitrator is appointed, a third-party requests to join the arbitration voluntarily, the request may only be accepted with the consent of the parties (article 11.7). Unless all parties, including the additional party, agree otherwise, no joinder is possible after the appointment of any arbitrator, except that requests made after that point are decided by the tribunal, subject to the additional party\u2019s acceptance of the constitution of the tribunal and, where applicable, of the terms of reference (articles 11.2 and 11.8). The Rules therefore leave the tribunal discretion to decide on such requests, taking into account, among other circumstances, its<em> prima facie<\/em> jurisdiction over the additional party, the timing of the request, possible conflicts of interest and the effects on the proceedings (article 11.9).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What interim measures are available? Will local courts issue interim measures pending the constitution of the tribunal? Are anti-suit and\/or anti-arbitration injunctions available and enforceable in your country? What is the approach of local courts in your jurisdiction to anti-arbitration injunctions issued in breach of arbitration agreements?  Have there been any recent decisions on this point?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>According to the Arbitration Law, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may, at the request of a party, order any party to adopt the interim measures that the tribunal considers necessary in respect of the subject matter of the dispute, and may require the applicant to provide appropriate security (article 21(1)). The rules on annulment and enforcement of awards apply to arbitral decisions on interim measures, whatever their form, but the summary judge (<em>juez de los referimientos<\/em>) has no jurisdiction to suspend them (article 21(2)). The tribunal may, if it considers it appropriate, require the party against whom the measure is sought to appear and may order it to refrain from any action that could affect its assets or the subject matter of the arbitration; breach of that order may give rise to damages (article 21(3)). Arbitral decisions granting interim measures, whether made in the Dominican Republic or abroad (article 1(2)), must be submitted to the recognition and enforcement procedure of Chapter VIII of the Arbitration Law (article 41(1)), and public officers may only execute or register such a measure on presentation of an award made and recognized in accordance with the Law (article 21(4)). A request to a court for interim measures, before or during the arbitration, is not incompatible with the arbitration agreement (article 13). The local courts may therefore grant interim measures pending the constitution of the tribunal. The competent court is the court of the place where the award is to be enforced or, failing that, of the place where the measures are to take effect or where the assets are located (article 9(3)). Where the court grants the measures, it must require the applicant to file its claim before the arbitral tribunal within 60 days, and it may require security. A decision by the arbitral tribunal, once constituted, ordering the suspension or lifting of the measures ordered by the court must be recognized and prevails (article 13).<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, the tribunal may adopt any interim measure it considers necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the award, including in an interim award, and may require the applicant to provide adequate security (article 36.1); it may also order the party against which the measure is sought to refrain from any action that could affect its assets or the subject matter of the arbitration pending its decision (article 36.2). In deciding, the tribunal must weigh the circumstances of the case, in particular the appearance of a good right (<em>fumus boni iuris<\/em>), the risk of delay and the consequences of granting or refusing the measure, which must be proportionate (Annex II, section 6.4.2). The tribunal may modify, suspend or lift measures ordered by itself, by a court or by an emergency arbitrator (article 36.4). The 2026 Rules also introduce an emergency arbitrator (article 37; see question 35).<\/p>\n<p>The Arbitration Law does not provide for anti-suit or anti-arbitration injunctions. It provides that, once seized, the arbitral tribunal may continue to hear the case and render an award notwithstanding court proceedings (article 12(3)). We are not aware of decisions of the Dominican courts on anti-suit or anti-arbitration injunctions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there particular rules governing evidentiary matters in arbitration? Will the local courts in your jurisdiction play any role in the obtaining of evidence? Can local courts compel witnesses to participate in arbitration proceedings?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Failing agreement between the parties, the arbitrators may conduct the taking of evidence in the manner they consider appropriate, including deciding on the admissibility, relevance, value and usefulness of the evidence (article 30(1)). The arbitrators may request clarifications or information from the parties and order the evidence they consider necessary (article 30(2)), may dispense with evidence, giving reasons, if they consider themselves adequately informed (article 30(4)), and, except for documentary evidence, evidence is presented at a hearing (article 30(5)). For evidence to be taken abroad, letters rogatory may be requested in accordance with procedural legislation and the international conventions to which the Dominican Republic is a party (article 30(6)). Unless otherwise agreed, the tribunal may appoint experts, and the parties may question them at a hearing (article 31).<\/p>\n<p>The local courts may assist in the taking of evidence. The arbitral tribunal, or a party with the tribunal\u2019s approval, may request the assistance of the competent court in obtaining, presenting or taking evidence, including the appearance of witnesses, in accordance with the rules applicable to evidence, without a hearing or contradictory proceedings before the court (article 32(1)). The competent court is the Court of First Instance of the place of arbitration or of the place where the assistance is to be provided (article 9(2)). The court may receive the evidence under its exclusive direction or limit itself to ordering the relevant measures, and in either case delivers evidence of the actions taken to the applicant (article 32(2)).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What ethical codes and other professional standards, if any, apply to counsel and arbitrators conducting proceedings in your country? Do these codes and professional standards apply only to counsel and arbitrators having the nationality of your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The legal profession is governed by Law No. 3-19 of January 24<sup>th<\/sup>, 2019, which created the Bar Association of the Dominican Republic (<em>Colegio de Abogados de la Rep\u00fablica Dominicana<\/em>), and by the Code of Ethics of the Bar Association, ratified by Decree No. 1290 of August 2<sup>nd<\/sup>, 1983. Both instruments have recently been the subject of constitutional review by the Constitutional Court in Judgments TC\/0129\/26 and TC\/0331\/26.<\/p>\n<p>Arbitrators are bound by the duties of disclosure (article 16(1)) and confidentiality (article 22(2)) established in the Arbitration Law, which apply regardless of nationality. In arbitrations administered by the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce under its 2026 Rules, all arbitrators, whether or not they are on the Court\u2019s list, are bound by the Court\u2019s Code of Ethics (article 1.1 of the Code). The guidelines annexed to the Rules recommend that parties, counsel and tribunals consider adopting the IBA Guidelines on Party Representation in International Arbitration and require parties and counsel to limit their submissions to truthful statements of fact and law (Annex II, sections 3.3 and 3.6). The tribunal may also take measures to avoid a conflict of interest arising from a change in a party\u2019s representation, including excluding new counsel (article 4.3).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In your country, are there any rules with respect to the confidentiality of arbitration proceedings?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. Under article 22(2) of the Arbitration Law, the arbitrators, the parties and, where applicable, the arbitral institutions are bound to keep confidential the information of which they become aware through the arbitral proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, arbitral proceedings are confidential; the obligation binds the Bufete Directivo, the Secretariat, the tribunal and any administrative secretary, and also extends to witnesses, experts and any other person who has had access to or participated in the proceedings (article 5.1). The parties and the tribunal may establish additional rules on confidentiality, and the tribunal may take measures to protect trade secrets and confidential information (article 5.2). Hearings are private (article 35.6) and the deliberations of the tribunal are confidential (article 41.1). An award may be published only with the consent of both parties (article 5.3), after removal of confidential information and with the use of pseudonyms or anonymization (Annex I, section 5.3).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are the IBA guidelines on conflicts of interest and other similar soft law sources viewed by courts and tribunals in your jurisdiction? Are they frequently applied? Have any developments under the 2024 IBA Guidelines, including the expanded Orange List, the treatment of social media conduct, or due diligence obligations on parties, and the UNCITRAL Code of Conduct for Arbitrators been addressed by courts and tribunals in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration are not incorporated into the Arbitration Law. However, the guidelines annexed to the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce provide that the Court, the parties and the arbitrators must assess whether a disclosure reveals circumstances that may affect independence and impartiality in light of the latest approved version of the IBA Guidelines (Annex II, section 1.2.2), which currently means the 2024 version. The same guidelines recommend the IBA Guidelines on Party Representation in International Arbitration (Annex II, section 3.3) and allow the parties and the tribunal to use the IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence as guidance (Annex II, section 6.3.8). Dominican courts have referred to the IBA Guidelines in annulment proceedings based on an arbitrator\u2019s alleged conflict of interest, as part of their analysis of the challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are the costs of arbitration proceedings estimated and allocated? Can pre- and post-award interest be included in the principal claim and costs incurred?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Subject to the parties\u2019 agreement, the arbitrators decide on the costs of the arbitration in the award. Costs include the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and, where appropriate, the fees and expenses of the parties\u2019 counsel or representatives, the cost of the services of the administering institution and the other expenses of the proceedings that are admitted (article 36(6)).<\/p>\n<p>Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, the arbitrators\u2019 fees and the Court\u2019s administrative fee are fixed by the <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em> in accordance with the tariffs in force on the date the claim is filed (article 46.1), calculated on the basis of the amount in dispute under the scale published on the Court\u2019s website (Annex V, section 1.2). Where no amount is claimed, the <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em> estimates it for this purpose (article 46.2). The advance is paid in equal shares by claimants and respondents and either may pay the other\u2019s share (articles 46.3 and 46.5), and it must be paid in full before the file is delivered to the tribunal (article 46.1). The <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em> fixes the arbitrators\u2019 fees within a range, taking into account, among other criteria, their diligence and efficiency and compliance with the time limits (article 46.8). Costs include the fees and expenses of the tribunal, the Court\u2019s fees and expenses, the fees of tribunal-appointed experts, interpreters\u2019 expenses and the parties\u2019 reasonable legal costs, including counsel\u2019s fees (article 47.1). Failing agreement of the parties, the tribunal allocates costs taking into account the outcome, the parties\u2019 conduct during the proceedings and any other relevant circumstance, on the basis of reasonableness (article 47.3).<\/p>\n<p>The Arbitration Law does not contain specific provisions on interest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are applications for security for costs viewed in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not regulate security for costs. In the context of interim measures, the tribunal may require the applicant to provide appropriate security (article 21(1)), and courts granting interim measures may require security (article 13). The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce likewise allow the tribunal, when ordering interim measures, to require the applicant to provide adequate security (article 36.1), and an emergency arbitrator\u2019s order may be made conditional on the applicant providing appropriate security (Annex VI, article 7.6). Neither the Arbitration Law nor the 2026 Rules contain a specific provision on security for costs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legal requirements are there in your country for the recognition and enforcement of an award? Is there a requirement that the award be reasoned, i.e. substantiated and motivated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Every award must be in writing and signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators, who may state their dissenting opinion; where there is more than one arbitrator, the signatures of the majority is sufficient, provided the reasons for any missing signature are stated (article 36(2)). An award is in writing where its content and signatures are recorded and accessible for later consultation in electronic, optical or other form (article 36(3)). The award must state its date and the place of arbitration (article 36(5)), and must be notified to the parties in the manner agreed or, failing that, by delivery of a signed copy within five days (article 36(7)).<\/p>\n<p>The enforcement of an award falls within the competence of the Court of First Instance of the place where the award is deemed made (article 9(4)). If the court finds that one of the cases referred to in the Arbitration Law is present, it must refer the award to the competent Court of Appeal and stay enforcement until a final decision is rendered, and may order conservatory measures in the meantime (article 41(2)).<\/p>\n<p>Awards rendered under the auspices of the Courts of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution of the Chambers of Commerce and Production are an exception. Under article 17, Paragraph II, of Law No. 50-87 on Chambers of Commerce and Production, such awards are not subject to the recognition procedure of the Arbitration Law and have the same enforceability as judgments rendered at second instance. All other awards, whether ad hoc, rendered by any other arbitral institution established in the country or made abroad, must be recognized in accordance with the Arbitration Law before they can be enforced.<\/p>\n<p>A party seeking exequatur of a foreign award must file a petition with the Civil and Commercial Chamber of the Court of First Instance of the National District, together with an original of the award and of the arbitration agreement or the contract containing it (articles 9(6) and 43). The language for obtaining exequatur or any other measure before the Dominican courts is Spanish (article 26(3)). The Dominican Republic is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Recognition or enforcement may only be refused on the grounds listed in article 45.<\/p>\n<p>Yes. The award must be reasoned, unless the parties have agreed otherwise or the award records a settlement on agreed terms (article 36(4)).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the estimated timeframe for the recognition and enforcement of an award (domestic and international)? Can a party bring a motion for the recognition and enforcement of an award on an ex parte basis? Would the standard of review be different for domestic and international awards?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not set time limits for the exequatur proceedings, and a contested exequatur may take several years to become final: in proceedings concerning a partial and a final award rendered in 2012 in an arbitration seated in New York, exequatur was granted in 2013, the First Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice rejected the appeal in cassation in 2021 (Judgment No. 2046\/2021) and the Constitutional Court confirmed that judgment in 2025 (Judgment TC\/1067\/25).<\/p>\n<p>The petition is examined by the court in non-contentious proceedings (<em>jurisdicci\u00f3n graciosa<\/em>) (articles 9(7) and 44), so it is decided without the participation of the opposing party. Any challenge to the order is heard and decided by the competent Court of Appeal in a single and final instance (article 44).<\/p>\n<p>The standard of review is essentially the same. Recognition or enforcement of an award may only be refused on the grounds listed in article 45, which applies whatever the country in which the award was made, and of which violation of the right of defense, non-arbitrability and incompatibility with Dominican public order may be raised by the court on its own motion (article 45(2)). The grounds largely coincide with the grounds for annulment of awards made in the Dominican Republic (article 39(2)), with the addition, for recognition, of the ground that the award is not yet binding or has been set aside or suspended at the seat (article 45(1)(e)). The difference is that awards made in the Dominican Republic may also be challenged through an action for annulment before the Court of Appeal (article 40(1)), whereas awards made abroad may not.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can arbitration awards be appealed or challenged in local courts? What are the grounds and procedure in this regard? Is it possible for parties to waive any rights of appeal or challenge to an award by agreement?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Awards may only be challenged before the courts through an action for annulment (article 39(1)). An award may only be annulled where the party seeking annulment proves (article 39(2)): (a) that a party to the arbitration agreement was under some incapacity, or that the agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties subjected it or, failing any indication, under Dominican law; (b) that due process was not observed, resulting in a violation of the right of defense; (c) that the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by the arbitration agreement or contains decisions beyond its terms, in which case only the latter may be annulled if they can be separated; (d) that the composition of the tribunal or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, unless that agreement conflicted with a mandatory provision of the Arbitration Law, or, failing such agreement, with the Arbitration Law; (e) that the arbitrators decided matters not capable of arbitration; or (f) that the award is contrary to public order. Grounds (b), (e) and (f) may be raised by the court on its own motion (article 39(3)).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The action must be brought within one month of notification of the award or, if correction, clarification or a supplementary award was requested, of notification of the decision on that request (article 39(5)). It is heard by the Court of Appeal of the department where the award was made (article 40(1)). The award remains enforceable during the annulment proceedings unless it is suspended by the President of the Court of Appeal acting as summary judge; between notification of the request for suspension and the first hearing before the President, the award is suspended by operation of law (article 40(2)). If suspension is granted, the applicant must provide security in cash or through a Dominican insurance company (article 40(3)). Judgments on annulment may be appealed in cassation, but the President\u2019s orders on suspension may not (article 40(4)). In Judgment TC\/1175\/24, the Constitutional Court annulled a judgment of the First Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice in a case concerning the annulment of an award, for lack of adequate reasoning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 4.5pt;text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The Arbitration Law contemplates that the parties may waive in advance all recourse against the award, providing that the Court of Appeal is competent to hear the annulment action if the parties have not done so (article 40(1)). Under the 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber, the decision to submit a dispute to arbitration under the Rules is deemed to imply a waiver of any recourse that may validly be waived (article 48.4). Whether, and to what extent, the action for annulment may be validly waived has not, to our knowledge, been settled by the Dominican high courts.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In what instances can third parties or non-signatories be bound by an award? To what extent might a third party challenge the recognition of an award?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not contain provisions extending the effects of an award to third parties.<\/p>\n<p>As to challenges to recognition by third parties, in the proceedings referred to in question 31, an individual who had not been a party to the arbitral proceedings challenged the exequatur granted to two foreign awards. The Constitutional Court, in confirming the Supreme Court\u2019s judgment (TC\/1067\/25), noted that the appellant had not been a party to the arbitral proceedings and that the objection based on his lack of standing had been properly reasoned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any rules \/ court decisions that regulate or prohibit third party funding of arbitration proceedings \u2013 for instance, where funding by an entity not involved in the dispute in return for a share of the eventual award may be barred \u2013 in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not regulate third-party funding, and we are not aware of court decisions on the issue. The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce require each party to inform the Secretariat, the tribunal and the other parties promptly of the existence and identity of any third party funding it, in whole or in part, to cover the costs of the arbitration, in order to assist arbitrators in complying with their duty of disclosure (article 19.5). The guidelines annexed to the Rules specify that the obligation covers any funding linked to the outcome of the arbitration, and in principle does not apply to funding between companies of the same group, fee arrangements between a party and its advisers, or ordinary loans from financial institutions not specifically intended to fund the arbitration; the tribunal may request further information about the funding and the funder (Annex II, section 4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is emergency arbitrator relief available and recognized in your country? Are decisions made by emergency arbitrators readily enforceable?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Arbitration Law does not provide for emergency arbitrators, and the 2011 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce did not contain an emergency arbitrator mechanism. The Court\u2019s 2026 Rules allow a party to request the appointment of a temporary sole arbitrator to decide on an urgent interim measure at any time before the file is delivered to the arbitral tribunal, whether or not a request for arbitration has been filed (article 37.1). If the request for arbitration has not yet been filed, it must be filed within 10 days of the emergency application (Annex VI, article 1.6). The <em>Bufete Directivo<\/em> appoints the emergency arbitrator within three days (Annex VI, article 2.1), and the emergency arbitrator decides by reasoned order within 15 days of the parties\u2019 notification of the appointment (Annex VI, articles 7.1 and 7.3). The order is binding on the parties, who undertake to comply with it voluntarily and without delay (article 37.2 and Annex VI, article 7.7), but it does not bind the arbitral tribunal, which may modify, suspend or lift it (article 37.3). The emergency arbitrator provisions do not apply where the arbitration agreement was concluded before November 2<sup>nd<\/sup>, 2026, unless the parties have agreed in writing to their application, where the parties have excluded them, or where the arbitration agreement derives from an international treaty (article 37.4).<\/p>\n<p>The Arbitration Law\u2019s provisions on the enforcement of interim measures refer to measures ordered by the arbitral tribunal (articles 21 and 41(1)). We are not aware of court decisions on the enforcement of emergency arbitrator decisions. As the 2026 Rules only enter into force on 2 November 2026, the Dominican courts have not yet had occasion to rule on the enforcement of decisions of emergency arbitrators appointed under them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there arbitral laws or arbitration institutional rules in your country providing simplified or expedited procedures for claims under a certain value? Are they often used?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Neither the Arbitration Law nor the Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce provide for a separate simplified or expedited procedure for claims below a certain value.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any recent court decisions in your country considering the setting aside of an award that has been enforced in another jurisdiction or vice versa?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>We are not aware of decisions of the Dominican courts considering the setting aside of an award that has been enforced in another jurisdiction, or the enforcement of an award that has been set aside abroad. Under the Arbitration Law, recognition or enforcement of an award may be refused if the award is not yet binding on the parties or has been annulled or suspended by a competent authority of the country in which, or under the law of which, it was made (article 45(1)(e)).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any recent court decisions in your country considering the issue of corruption? What standard do local courts apply for proving corruption? Which party bears the burden of proving corruption?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">We are not aware of decisions of the Dominican courts considering corruption in the context of arbitration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em><span lang=\"EN-US\">Corruption in the underlying transaction.<\/span><\/em><span lang=\"EN-US\"> There is no specific standard of proof for allegations of corruption in civil or arbitral proceedings. The burden of proof follows the general rule of article 1315 of the Civil Code, under which the party claiming the performance of an obligation must prove it; the party alleging corruption therefore bears the burden of proving it. In arbitration, the tribunal decides on the admissibility, relevance, weight and usefulness of the evidence (article 30(1) of the Arbitration Law). The courts\u2019 control over the tribunal\u2019s treatment of such allegations is exercised through the public order ground: an award may be annulled if it is contrary to public order (article 39(2)(f)), and recognition or enforcement may be refused if it would be contrary to the public order of the Dominican Republic (article 45(1)(g)), in both cases on the court\u2019s own motion if necessary (articles 39(3) and 45(2)).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em><span lang=\"EN-US\">Corruption of the arbitral tribunal.<\/span><\/em><span lang=\"EN-US\"> Circumstances affecting an arbitrator\u2019s impartiality or independence are grounds for challenge (article 16(2)), and an award may be annulled where the composition of the tribunal did not conform to the parties\u2019 agreement or to the Arbitration Law, where due process was not observed resulting in a violation of the right of defense, or where the award is contrary to public order (article 39(2)(b), (d) and (f)). Under the Code of Ethics of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, an arbitrator\u2019s receipt of payments from a party exceeding the remuneration approved by the Court, and the commission of crimes or fraudulent acts in the exercise of arbitration, are very serious infractions, punishable by permanent disqualification from acting as an arbitrator before the Court and, potentially, loss of fees (articles 14.4(a) and (b), 15.2(c) and 15.5 of the Code).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Has your country withdrawn from, or announced its intention to withdraw from, the Energy Charter Treaty?  What is the status of the sunset clause in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No. The Dominican Republic is not a Contracting Party to, and has not signed, the Energy Charter Treaty, nor did it sign the 2015 International Energy Charter. The questions of withdrawal and of the sunset clause therefore do not arise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any recent court decisions or legislative developments in your country with respect to intra-European investor-State arbitration, the Energy Charter Treaty, or the enforcement of intra-EU? Are there any pending decisions?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No. As the Dominican Republic is not a member of the European Union or a Contracting Party to the Energy Charter Treaty, the debates on intra-EU investor-State arbitration and on the Energy Charter Treaty have not arisen before the Dominican courts or legislature. We are not aware of any request to recognize or enforce an intra-EU award in the Dominican Republic, or of any pending proceedings on these issues. Such a request would be governed by the New York Convention and by the Arbitration Law, under which recognition or enforcement may only be refused on the grounds listed in article 45.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have arbitral institutions in your country implemented reforms towards greater use of technology and a more cost-effective conduct of arbitrations? Have there been any recent developments regarding virtual hearings?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce provide for electronic filings and notifications (articles 2.2 and 2.5), digital signature of the terms of reference (article 29.3), hearings by videoconference, telephone or other means, as decided by the tribunal after consulting the parties (article 35.2), and the signature of awards with a qualified electronic signature (article 44.1). A separate annex regulates the use of digital means in arbitral proceedings, including electronic signatures and virtual hearings (Annex VII).<\/p>\n<p>The Arbitration Law recognizes notifications and communications made through digital documents or data messages that record their sending and receipt, and makes them admissible as evidence with reference to Law No. 126-02 (article 6(b)). It also allows awards in electronic form (article 36(3)) and allows the arbitrators, after consulting the parties and unless otherwise agreed, to meet at any place they consider appropriate to hear witnesses, experts or the parties (article 24(2)).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any recent judicial and\/or legislative developments in your jurisdiction with regard to disputes involving ESG issues such as climate change, sustainability, social responsibility and\/or human rights?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>We are not aware of judicial or legislative developments in the Dominican Republic addressing ESG issues in the context of arbitration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have any international economic sanctions regimes been implemented (either independently, or based on EU law) in your jurisdiction recently? Have there been any recent decisions in your country considering the impact of sanctions on international arbitration proceedings?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">We are not aware of any international economic sanctions regime implemented recently in the Dominican Republic, whether independently or based on EU law, nor of autonomous sanctions legislation. Measures adopted by the United Nations Security Council have been given effect in the financial sector through regulatory instruments; for example, Circular SIB No. 002\/18 of the Superintendency of Banks, of 15 January 2018, directed financial institutions to comply with measures under Security Council Resolution 1718 concerning the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, with breaches subject to sanctions under Law No. 155-17 against Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">We are not aware of decisions of the Dominican courts considering the impact of sanctions on international arbitration proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Has your country enacted any regulation and\/or implemented any rules, guidlines or regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI or large language models in the context of dispute resolution?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>We are not aware of any law, regulation or court rule in the Dominican Republic specifically governing the use of artificial intelligence in dispute resolution. The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce do not address the use of artificial intelligence. At the international level, parties and tribunals may refer to soft law instruments such as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators\u2019 Guideline on the Use of AI in Arbitration (2025).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any specific legal, institutional, or procedural frameworks in your jurisdiction governing the arbitration of digital asset or blockchain-related disputes?  Have there been any court decisions in your jurisdiction concerning the validity or enforceability of arbitration agreements incorporated into smart contracts or digital asset terms?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">We are not aware of any specific legal, institutional or procedural framework for the arbitration of disputes involving digital assets or blockchain, or of court decisions on the validity or enforceability of arbitration agreements incorporated into smart contracts or digital asset terms. The Dominican Republic does not have comprehensive legislation on digital assets: two bills on crypto-assets were under review by the Permanent Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies in 2026, and in 2017 the Central Bank stated that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender, are not backed by the Central Bank, and may not be used or traded by regulated financial institutions within the Dominican payment system. The 2026 Rules of the Court of Arbitration of the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce do not contain provisions on digital assets or blockchain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">The general rules apply. The arbitration agreement must be in writing, which includes an exchange of emails or other means of telecommunication that record the agreement and are accessible for later consultation in electronic, optical or other form (article 10(2)). Law No. 126-02 provides that information may not be denied legal effect, validity or binding force solely because it is in the form of a digital document or data message (article 4), and that a digital document satisfies a legal requirement that information be in writing (article 5).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">10929<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/153728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}