United Nations Commission On International Trade Adopts Revised UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules

On 25 June 2010, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted a revised version of its Arbitration Rules, which are widely used in ad hoc international arbitrations (i.e., international arbitrations not conducted under the purview of an institution or administering body).

The revised rules replace the 1976 version, which successfully established a comprehensive set of rules for arbitration where no arbitral institution is involved. The success of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules is largely attributable to their procedural flexibility and neutrality, which allow for use in different cultures and legal systems. Parties can modify the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules according to their needs, and the proceedings are not restricted to a particular seat or applicable law.