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ARTICLE · 21 OCTOBER 2025

China's New Arbitration Law 2025: Overview Of Key Changes

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On 12 September 2025, China adopted a comprehensive revision of its Arbitration Law (English version; Chinese version), which will enter into force on 1 March 2026 ("2025 Arbitration Law")...

ChinaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
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On 12 September 2025, China adopted a comprehensive revision of its Arbitration Law (English version; Chinese version), which will enter into force on 1 March 2026 ("2025 Arbitration Law"), replacing the 2017 version currently in force ("2017 Arbitration Law") (English version; Chinese version).

Brief Legislative History

China's Arbitration Law was first adopted on 31 August 1994 and came into effect on 1 September 1995. It has since undergone its first amendment in 2009, its second amendment in 2017 (effective from 1 January 2018), and now its third (and most significant) amendment in 2025 (effective from 1 March 2026). The legislation has, thus, been in operation for over 30 years.

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