When I decide to hold an international arbitration in Paris, am I free to choose the language of the procedure and the law that will govern my contract?
Yes. There is no need to use the French language or French law in an arbitration seated in Paris. It is usually recommended to select as the language for the arbitration the language or languages used for the contracts or for the majority of communications between the parties. It is also recommended to state in advance the law that applies to the contract. In the absence of such a choice, arbitrators in France, unlike judges, are not required to follow national conflict of laws rules in order to decide which law they will use to decide the case.
FAQ
- Will I easily find interpreters and court reporters in Paris to assist me during my arbitration?
- How often will I have to travel to Paris during the arbitral procedure?
- Is there any major consideration to take into account when selecting the seat of arbitration?
- Can I select Paris as the seat for an ad hoc arbitration?
- Is Paris a good choice of seat for institutional arbitrations?
- Does the law applicable to the contract usually determine the seat of the arbitration?
- By holding my arbitration in Paris, am I obliged to conduct the arbitral proceedings with French arbitrators and lawyers?
- In choosing Paris as my seat of arbitration, do I guarantee the independence of my arbitrators?
- Is there any advantage to choosing Paris as the place of arbitration for an ICSID or other arbitration between a State and a private party?
- Can I easily find specialists in my field in Paris?
- Does France have its own “idea” of what international arbitration means?
- Is Paris a leading venue in terms of the number of arbitrations held over recent years?
- Is Paris a well-regarded seat of arbitration?