Arbitration Act 2025
amend the Arbitration Act 1996; and for connected purposes.
Government Bill
The Arbitration Act 2025 was a Government Bill that became an Act of Parliament.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?No. This Bill was introduced on 18 July 2024 and became an Act of Parliament on 24 February 2025.
Whose idea is this Bill?Government Bills implement the legislative agenda of the Government. This agenda, and the Bills that will implement it, are outlined in the Queen's Speech at the Session's State Opening of Parliament.
How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Act of Parliament, Government Bills, Process of a Bill
Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers Ministerial Extracts from Debates All Bill Debates
This bill has received Royal Assent and has become an Act of Parliament
5 Amendments have been proposed for this Bill
View AmendmentsBill Progession through Parliament
Latest Key documents
Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages
2
Lord Hacking (Lab)Tabled: 9 Sep 2024
HL Bill 1-I Marshalled list for Committee
This amendment was Withdrawn
View the speech made in the House
Before Clause 10, insert the following new Clause—
“Award of costs
In section 61(2) of the Arbitration Act 1996 (award of costs), for the words from “costs should follow” to the end substitute “a reasonable amount of the costs of the successful party should be paid by the other party or parties, but account should be taken of costs incurred by the successful party which were unnecessary or excessive in whole or in part and which should not fall to be paid by the other party or parties.””
1
Lord Hacking (Lab)Tabled: 6 Sep 2024
HL Bill 1-I Marshalled list for Committee
This amendment was Withdrawn
View the speech made in the House
After Clause 4, insert the following new Clause—
“Safeguarding against fraud and corruption
In section 33 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (general duty of the tribunal), after subsection (1)(b) insert—
“(c) safeguard the arbitration proceedings against fraud and corruption.””
Tabled: 6 Sep 2024
HL Bill 1(b) Amendments for Committee
This amendment was No Decision
Before Clause 10, insert the following new Clause— "Award of costs In section 61(2) of the Arbitration Act 1996 (award of costs), for the words from "costs should follow" to the end substitute "a reasonable amount of the costs of the successful party should be paid by the other party or parties, but account should be taken of costs incurred by the another party which were unnecessary or excessive in whole or in part and should not fall to be paid by the successful party."
3
Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)Tabled: 4 Sep 2024
HL Bill 1-I Marshalled list for Committee
This amendment was Agreed
View the speech made in the House
Leave out Clause 13 and insert the following new Clause—
“Appeals to Court of Appeal from High Court decisions
(1) In section 18(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (restrictions on appeals to Court of Appeal), for paragraph (g) substitute—
“(g) from a decision of the High Court under Part 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in a case where that Part makes provision about appeals from the decision, except in accordance with that provision;”.
(2) In section 35(2) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (appeals to Court of Appeal from High Court), for paragraph (fa) substitute—
“(fa) from a decision of the High Court under Part 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in a case where that Part makes provision about appeals from the decision, except in accordance with that provision;”.
(3) In Schedule 3 to the Arbitration Act 1996 (consequential amendments), omit paragraphs 34(2) and 37(2).”
Explanatory Text
This clause corrects a drafting error identified in the House of Lords’ judgment in Inco Europe v First Choice Distribution and makes clear that appeals from High Court decisions under Part 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996 may, subject to provision in that Part, be made to the Court of Appeal.
4
Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)Tabled: 4 Sep 2024
HL Bill 1-I Marshalled list for Committee
This amendment was Agreed
View the speech made in the House
Title, line 1, after “1996” insert “; and for connected purposes”
Explanatory Text
The amendment amends the long title to cover my amendment to replace Clause 13.