Arbitration Amendment Act 2007

1: Title
This Act is the Arbitration Amendment Act 2007.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3: Principal Act amended
This Act amends the Arbitration Act 1996 2007-10-18 Arbitration Act 1996
1: Amendments to principal Act
4: Interpretation
1: Section 2(1) confidential information
a: means information that relates to the arbitral proceedings or to an award made in those proceedings; and
b: includes—
i: the statement of claim, statement of defence, and all other pleadings, submissions, statements, or other information supplied to the arbitral tribunal by a party:
ii: any evidence (whether documentary or otherwise) supplied to the arbitral tribunal:
iii: any notes made by the arbitral tribunal of oral evidence or submissions given before the arbitral tribunal:
iv: any transcript of oral evidence or submissions given before the arbitral tribunal:
v: any rulings of the arbitral tribunal:
vi: any award of the arbitral tribunal disclose .
2: Section 2(2)
5: Consumer arbitration agreements
1: Section 11(1) paragraph (c)
c: the consumer, by separate written agreement entered into by the consumer and the other party to the contract after a dispute has arisen out of, or in relation to, that contract, certifies that, having read and understood the arbitration agreement, the consumer agrees to be bound by it; and .
2: Section 11(2) paragraph (a)
aa: that person is an individual; and .
3: Section 11 subsection (6)
6: Nothing in this section applies to—
a: a lease; or
b: a contract of insurance to which section 8 of the Insurance Law Reform Act 1977
6: New sections 14 to 14I substituted
Section 14
14: Application of sections 14A to 14I
Except as the parties may otherwise agree in writing (whether in the arbitration agreement or otherwise), sections 14A to 14I
14A: Arbitral proceedings must be private
An arbitral tribunal must conduct the arbitral proceedings in private.
14B: Arbitration agreements deemed to prohibit disclosure of confidential information
1: Every arbitration agreement to which this section applies is deemed to provide that the parties and the arbitral tribunal must not disclose confidential information.
2: Subsection (1) section 14C
14C: Limits on prohibition on disclosure of confidential information in section 14B
A party or an arbitral tribunal may disclose confidential information—
a: to a professional or other adviser of any of the parties; or
b: if both of the following matters apply:
i: the disclosure is necessary—
A: to ensure that a party has a full opportunity to present the party's case, as required under article 18 of Schedule 1
B: for the establishment or protection of a party's legal rights in relation to a third party; or
C: for the making and prosecution of an application to a court under this Act; and
ii: the disclosure is no more than what is reasonably required to serve any of the purposes referred to in subparagraph (i)(A) to (C)
c: if the disclosure is in accordance with an order made, or a subpoena issued, by a court; or
d: if both of the following matters apply:
i: the disclosure is authorised or required by law (except this Act) or required by a competent regulatory body (including New Zealand Exchange Limited); and
ii: the party who, or the arbitral tribunal that, makes the disclosure provides to the other party and the arbitral tribunal or, as the case may be, the parties, written details of the disclosure (including an explanation of the reasons for the disclosure); or
e: if the disclosure is in accordance with an order made by—
i: an arbitral tribunal under section 14D
ii: the High Court under section 14E
14D: Arbitral tribunal may allow disclosure of confidential information in certain circumstances
1: This section applies if—
a: a question arises in any arbitral proceedings as to whether confidential information should be disclosed other than as authorised under section 14C(a) to (d)
b: at least 1 of the parties agrees to refer that question to the arbitral tribunal concerned.
2: The arbitral tribunal, after giving each of the parties an opportunity to be heard, may make or refuse to make an order allowing all or any of the parties to disclose confidential information.
14E: High Court may allow or prohibit disclosure of confidential information if arbitral proceedings have been terminated or party lodges appeal concerning confidentiality
1: The High Court may make an order allowing a party to disclose any confidential information—
a: on the application of that party, which application may be made only if the mandate of the arbitral tribunal has been terminated in accordance with article 32 of Schedule 1
b: on an appeal by that party, after an order under section 14D(2)
2: The High Court may make an order under subsection (1)
a: it is satisfied, in the circumstances of the particular case, that the public interest in preserving the confidentiality of arbitral proceedings is outweighed by other considerations that render it desirable in the public interest for the confidential information to be disclosed; and
b: the disclosure is no more than what is reasonably required to serve the other considerations referred to in paragraph (a)
3: The High Court may make an order prohibiting a party ( party A party B section 14D(2)
4: The High Court may make an order under this section only if it has given each of the parties an opportunity to be heard.
5: The High Court may make an order under this section—
a: unconditionally; or
b: subject to any conditions it thinks fit.
6: To avoid doubt, the High Court may, in imposing any conditions under subsection (5)(b)
7: The decision of the High Court under this section is final.
14F: Court proceedings under Act must be conducted in public except in certain circumstances
1: A Court must conduct proceedings under this Act in public unless the Court makes an order that the whole or any part of the proceedings must be conducted in private.
2: A Court may make an order under subsection (1)
a: on the application of any party to the proceedings; and
b: only if the Court is satisfied that the public interest in having the proceedings conducted in public is outweighed by the interests of any party to the proceedings in having the whole or any part of the proceedings conducted in private.
3: If an application is made for an order under subsection (1)
4: In this section and sections 14G to 14I Court
a: means any court that has jurisdiction in regard to the matter in question; and
b: includes the High Court and the Court of Appeal; but
c: does not include an arbitral tribunal proceedings
14G: Applicant must state nature of, and reasons for seeking, order to conduct Court proceedings in private
An applicant for an order under section 14F
a: whether the applicant is seeking an order for the whole or part of the proceedings to be conducted in private; and
b: the applicant's reasons for seeking the order.
14H: Matters that Court must consider in determining application for order to conduct Court proceedings in private
In determining an application for an order under section 14F
a: the open justice principle; and
b: the privacy and confidentiality of arbitral proceedings; and
c: any other public interest considerations; and
d: the terms of any arbitration agreement between the parties to the proceedings; and
e: the reasons stated by the applicant under section 14G(b)
14I: Effect of order to conduct Court proceedings in private
1: If an order is made under section 14F
a: no person may search, inspect, or copy any file or any documents on a file in any office of the Court relating to the proceedings for which the order was made; and
b: the Court must not include in the Court's decision on the proceedings any particulars that could identify the parties to those proceedings.
2: An order remains in force for the period specified in the order or until it is sooner revoked by the Court on the further application of any party to the proceedings.
7: Transitional provisions
1: Section 19(3) after the commencement of this Act during the period beginning on the date of commencement of this Act and ending with the close of the day before the date of commencement of the Arbitration Amendment Act 2007
2: Section 19 subsection (3)
3A: Subsection (3B)
a: is made before the commencement of this Act; and
b: provides for the appointment of—
i: an arbitrator by each of the 2 parties; or
ii: 2 arbitrators by the parties and for those arbitrators to appoint an umpire; and
c: does not relate to arbitral proceedings that have been commenced during the period referred to in subsection (3)
3B: Every arbitration agreement to which this subsection applies must be read as if the arbitration agreement provides for the appointment, by the arbitrators appointed by the parties, of a third arbitrator under this Act, and the provisions of this Act, subject to any modifications that may be necessary, apply accordingly to that arbitration agreement.
8: Schedule 1 amended
1: Article 2 of Schedule 1 paragraph (b)
ba: interim measure article 17 .
2: Article 9(1) of Schedule 1 of protection
3: Schedule 1 article 9(2)
2: For the purposes of paragraph (1) article 17A article 17B
4: Schedule 1 article 17
4A: Interim measures and preliminary orders
Preliminary
17: Interpretation
In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,— applicant
a: a party who requests an interim measure:
b: a party who applies for a preliminary order:
c: a party who seeks or obtains recognition or enforcement of an interim measure Court articles 17L and 17M article 35(3) interim measure
a: maintain or restore the status quo pending the determination of the dispute:
b: take action that would prevent, or refrain from taking action that is likely to cause, current or imminent harm or prejudice to the arbitral proceedings:
c: provide a means of preserving assets out of which a subsequent award may be satisfied:
d: preserve evidence that may be relevant and material to the resolution of the dispute:
e: give security for costs preliminary order respondent
a: a party against whom an interim measure is requested or directed:
b: a party against whom a preliminary order is applied for or directed:
c: a party against whom recognition or enforcement of an interim measure is sought or has been obtained. Interim measures
17A: Power of arbitral tribunal to grant interim measure
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may, at the request of a party, grant an interim measure.
17B: Conditions for granting interim measure
1: If an interim measure of a kind described in subparagraph (a), (b), or (c) article 17
a: harm not adequately reparable by an award of damages is likely to result if the measure is not granted; and
b: the harm substantially outweighs the harm that is likely to result to the respondent if the measure is granted; and
c: there is a reasonable possibility that the applicant will succeed on the merits of the claim.
2: If an interim measure of a kind described in subparagraph (d) article 17 paragraph (1)(a) to (c)
3: If an interim measure of a kind described in subparagraph (e) article 17
4: A determination by the arbitral tribunal on the matter specified in paragraph (1)(c) Preliminary orders
17C: Power of arbitral tribunal to issue preliminary order
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party may, without notice to any other party, apply for a preliminary order when making a request for an interim measure to be granted under article 17A
17D: Conditions for issuing preliminary order
1: The arbitral tribunal may issue a preliminary order if it considers that prior disclosure of the request for the interim measure to the respondent risks frustrating the purpose of the measure.
2: An applicant for a preliminary order must satisfy the arbitral tribunal of the matters specified in article 17B
a: the modification that the harm to be assessed under article 17B(1)(a)
b: all other necessary modifications.
17E: Procedure for preliminary order
1: Immediately after the arbitral tribunal makes a determination in respect of an application for a preliminary order, it must—
a: give notice to all the parties of—
i: the request for the interim measure; and
ii: the application for the preliminary order; and
iii: the preliminary order issued by the arbitral tribunal (if any); and
iv: all other communications (whether oral or written) between a party and the arbitral tribunal in relation to the matters specified in subparagraph (a)(i) to (iii)
b: give an opportunity to each respondent to present the respondent's case at the earliest practicable time.
2: The arbitral tribunal must decide promptly on any objection to the preliminary order.
17F: Duration of preliminary order
1: A preliminary order expires 20 days after the date on which it was issued by the arbitral tribunal.
2: However, the arbitral tribunal may grant an interim measure adopting or modifying the preliminary order, after each respondent has been given—
a: notice under article 17E(1)
b: an opportunity to present the respondent's case.
17G: Effect of preliminary order
1: A preliminary order is binding on the parties but is not enforceable by a court.
2: A preliminary order does not constitute an award. Supplementary provisions for interim measures and preliminary orders
17H: Modification, suspension, and cancellation
If the arbitral tribunal grants or issues an interim measure or a preliminary order, it may modify, suspend, or cancel the measure or order—
a: on the application of a party; or
b: on its own initiative, but only in exceptional circumstances and after giving prior notice to the parties.
17I: Provision of security
1: The arbitral tribunal may require the applicant for an interim measure to provide appropriate security in connection with the measure.
2: The arbitral tribunal must require the applicant for a preliminary order to provide appropriate security in connection with the order unless it considers it inappropriate or unnecessary to do so.
17J: Disclosure of material circumstances
1: The arbitral tribunal may require a party to promptly disclose to the arbitral tribunal a material change in the circumstances upon which an interim measure was requested or granted.
2: The applicant for a preliminary order must disclose to the arbitral tribunal all circumstances that are likely to be relevant to the arbitral tribunal's determination as to whether to issue or extend the order.
3: The obligation in paragraph (2) paragraph (1)
17K: Costs and damages
1: An applicant for an interim measure or a preliminary order is liable for any costs and damages caused to any party by the measure or order if the arbitral tribunal later determines that, in the circumstances, the measure or order should not have been granted or issued.
2: The arbitral tribunal may award those costs and damages at any time during the arbitral proceedings. Recognition and enforcement of interim measures
17L: Recognition and enforcement
1: An interim measure granted by an arbitral tribunal must be recognised as binding and, unless otherwise provided by the arbitral tribunal, enforced upon application to the competent Court, irrespective of the country in which it was granted.
2: Paragraph (1) article 17M
3: The applicant for recognition or enforcement of an interim measure under article 35
4: The Court may, if it considers it proper, order the applicant to provide appropriate security if—
a: the arbitral tribunal has not already made a decision with respect to the provision of security; or
b: the decision with respect to the provision of security is necessary to protect the rights of third parties.
17M: Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement
1: Recognition or enforcement of an interim measure may be refused only—
a: at the request of the respondent if the Court is satisfied that—
i: the refusal is warranted on the grounds set out in article 36(1)(a)(i), (ii), or (iv)
ii: the arbitral tribunal's decision with respect to the provision of security in connection with the interim measure granted by it has not been complied with; or
iii: the interim measure has been suspended or cancelled by the arbitral tribunal or, if so empowered, by the Court of the country in which the arbitration took place or under the law of which that interim measure was granted; or
b: if the Court finds that—
i: the interim measure is incompatible with the powers conferred on the Court, unless the Court decides to reformulate the interim measure to the extent necessary to adapt it to its own powers and procedures for the purposes of enforcing that interim measure and without modifying its substance; or
ii: any of the grounds set out in article 36(1)(b)
2: A determination made by the Court on any ground in paragraph (1)
3: The Court must not, in making that determination, undertake a review of the substance of the interim measure.
5: Schedule 1 article 35
35: Recognition and enforcement
1: An arbitral award, irrespective of the country in which it was made,—
a: must be recognised as binding; and
b: on application in writing to a Court, must be enforced by entry as a judgment in terms of the award, or by action, subject to the provisions of this article and of article 36
2: The party relying on an award or applying for its enforcement must supply—
a: the duly authenticated original award or a duly certified copy of the award; and
b: if the arbitration agreement is recorded in writing, the original arbitration agreement or a duly certified copy of the agreement; and
c: if the award or agreement is not made in the English language, a duly certified translation into the English language of either or both documents.
3: For the purposes of this article, Court
a: the High Court; or
b: a District Court in any case where the amount of any money made payable by the award does not exceed the amount to which the jurisdiction of the District Court is limited in civil cases.
9: Schedule 2 amended
Clause 5 of Schedule 2
10: For the purposes of this clause, question of law
a: includes an error of law that involves an incorrect interpretation of the applicable law (whether or not the error appears on the record of the decision); but
b: does not include any question as to whether—
i: the award or any part of the award was supported by any evidence or any sufficient or substantial evidence; and
ii: the arbitral tribunal drew the correct factual inferences from the relevant primary facts.
2: Related amendment to
Disputes Tribunals Act 1988
10: Amendment to
Disputes Tribunals Act 1988 This Part amends the Disputes Tribunals Act 1988
11: Section 16 amended
Section 16
4: Despite subsection (2) section 11(1) of the Arbitration Act 1996 2007-10-18 Disputes Tribunals Act 1988