I. Introduction
The choice of arbitrator selection is a significant feature of
arbitration and the freedom to do so goes at the heart of party
autonomy. It is also a settled principle of international
arbitration that the arbitrator appointed to decide a dispute ought
to be neutral, independent and impartial. However, these three
cardinal tenets of fairness suffer from a lack of defined standard
in arbitration legislations and institutional rules. A discussion
on the relevance of 'nationality' of the arbitrator as a
parameter of defining neutrality, necessitates giving due regard to
all perspectives. The practice of equating neutrality with
nationality could also potentially compromise the essential
qualities of qualification, experience and integrity in an
arbitrator and thus making nationality the base of neutrality and
impartiality could be questionable on several counts in the absence
of definitive standards.
