JTN-China Dispute Resolution Newsletter_April 2026

1. China’s Revised Arbitration Law Came into Force on 1 March 2026

China’s revised Arbitration Law came into force on 1 March 2026. Key changes include, but are not limited to: (1) the formal recognition of the legal concept of the “seat of arbitration” and clarification of its legal significance; (2) the introduction of ad hoc arbitration on a limited basis (currently confined to foreign-related maritime disputes and certain foreign-related commercial disputes between enterprises registered in designated areas); and (3) the harmonization of the grounds for setting aside and refusing enforcement of foreign-related arbitral awards with the standards under the New York Convention. Overall, the revisions reflect China’s continued efforts to modernize its arbitration framework and enhance its attractiveness as a venue for international dispute resolution.