International Arbitration Comparative Guide

1 Legal framework

1.1 What is the relevant legislation on arbitration in your jurisdiction? Are there any significant limitations on the scope of the statutory regime – for example, does it govern oral arbitration agreements?

The Arbitration Act (Chapter 7:15) governs arbitration in Zimbabwe, along with the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, which is set out, with modifications, in the First Schedule to the act. Article 7(2) of the Model Law provides that arbitration agreements must be in writing. It does not govern oral arbitration agreements. Other limitations are set out in Section 4 of the act, which provides that the following will not be subject to arbitration: