Domestic Arbitration Proceedings In Cyprus

This article discusses the legal framework governing arbitration agreements formulated in Cyprus, and aims to explain the relevant powers of the Cypriot Courts in dealing with such cases. It must be noted that international arbitration agreements will not be discussed, since they are governed by a different legal framework and they deserve separate legal analysis.

In Cyprus, domestic arbitration agreements are governed by the Arbitration Law Cap.4 of 1944 ("The Law").

• Validity and effect of arbitration agreements

Section 2(1) of the Law states that an arbitration agreement is "a written agreement to submit present or future differences to arbitration, whether an arbitrator is named therein or not." Other than the requirement for the arbitration agreement to be in writing, there are no other formal statutory requirements in order for the arbitration agreement to be enforceable. However, according to the common law principles which are applied by the Cypriot