The Applicability of Party Autonomy in the Appointment of Arbitrators
pages 133 - 147
ABSTRACT:

The concept of party autonomy in arbitration is frequently referred to in the context of the choice of the substantive law or of the applicable rules. While the relationship between parties and arbitrators has been extensively explored, the question of the implications of party autonomy for the process of arbitrator appointments has received less attention. This article submits that the relationship between party autonomy and tribunal appointment also deserves exploration, whether the appointment is undertaken by the parties, by the co-arbitrators, or by various other persons or institutions that act as appointing authorities, since the constitution of the arbitral tribunal reveals the potential vulnerabilities of arbitral awards in the annulment or enforcement process before various state courts. The article also addresses the limits of party autonomy in the appointment of arbitrators and the role of these limits in ensuring that the requisite conditions for fair trial and due process in arbitral proceedings have been met.

keywords
party autonomy
appointment of arbitrators
appointing authority
arbitration institution
state courts
human rights
fair trial
about the authors

Crenguta Leaua Dr. iur.; university lecturer in Business Law at the University of Economics in Bucharest and visiting lecturer in International Commercial Arbitration at “Petru Maior” University in Tg, Mures, Romania; vice-president of the Court of International Commercial Arbitration attached to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania; member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration as a representative of the Romanian national ICC Committee; managing partner of “ Leaua & Asociatii” law firm in Bucharest, Romania.

e-mail: crenguta.leaua@leaua.ro