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ARTICLE · 26 FEBRUARY 2025

Arbitration Act 2025 | Part 1: Five Most Impactful Changes For Businesses

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The Arbitration Bill received Royal Assent today (24 February 2025). This long-awaited Bill amends the Arbitration Act 1996 to create the Arbitration Act 2025 (the "2025 Act").

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Raid Abu-Manneh
Raid Abu-Manneh
Rachael O'Grady
Rachael O'Grady
Luiz Aboim
Luiz Aboim
Kwadwo Sarkodie
Kwadwo Sarkodie
Andrew Sarraf
Andrew Sarraf
Havin Jagtiani
Havin Jagtiani
Lisa Dubot
Lisa Dubot
Mercy McBrayer
Mercy McBrayer
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The Arbitration Bill received Royal Assent today (24 February 2025). This long-awaited Bill amends the Arbitration Act 1996 to create the Arbitration Act 2025 (the "2025 Act"). It will apply to any arbitration (or arbitration-related court proceedings) commenced on or after the date on which the substantive parts of the 2025 Act come into force (which will be on a date(s) specified in due course by statutory instrument).

The 2025 Act introduces fifteen reforms which we will discuss in our three-part Series. In this Part 1, we highlight five key changes for UK and international businesses. In Part 2 we will address the other reforms and their impact for arbitral stakeholders. In Part 3 we will address other issues currently impacting arbitral stakeholders that were not addressed by the 2025 Act.

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This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.

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