Fourth, avoid as a place of arbitration those few nations whose laws disfavor interim relief in arbitration. Time Limits and Appeals Many arbitral rules contain time limits for making awards. Various institutions have procedures for expedited proceedings. The parties may impose time limits in their arbitration clause but these limits should be reasonable. If the time limit cannot be met, the validity of the award may be questioned.
Arbitral awards are subject to limited court review.
Conclusion International arbitration is a viable alternative to litigation for high technology companies. Planning for dispute resolution should take place at the time of contract negotiation. Careful drafting of the arbitration clause provides for improved results. For more information on the topics discussed in this article, Gary L. Benton of Coudert Brothers' Palo Alto office. The International Arbitration Advisor is published by Coudert Brothers.