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ARTICLE · 06 MARCH 2025

New Arbitration Act Receives Royal Assent

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It will then apply to arbitral proceedings commenced after the date on which the 2025 Act (or the relevant provision of it) comes into force...

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Chloe Edworthy
Chloe Edworthy
Jonathan Pratt
Jonathan Pratt

The Arbitration Act 2025 (the 2025 Act) received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025. It will be brought into force through regulations "as soon as practicable", according to the government's press release.

It will then apply to arbitral proceedings commenced after the date on which the 2025 Act (or the relevant provision of it) comes into force, irrespective of the date when the applicable arbitration agreement was made.

The passing of the 2025 Act follows a successful consultation process by the Law Commission, with significant stakeholder input, and the relatively smooth passage of the resultant bill through Parliament (albeit with a delay caused by the change in government). When in force, the 2025 Act will make a number of amendments to the Arbitration Act 1996 (the 1996 Act). We considered the details of those amendments in our previous articles (Arbitration Bill introduced to Parliament, Second consultation paper on reform of the Arbitration Act 1996 and A

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