Navigating the Borders Between International Commercial Arbitration and U.S. Federal Courts: A Jurisprudential GPS

146 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2012

See all articles by S.I. Strong

S.I. Strong

Emory University School of Law

Date Written: April 25, 2012

Abstract

To the uninitiated, international commercial arbitration may seem as if it “isn’t all that different” from domestic arbitration or litigation. However, the truth of the matter is that international commercial arbitration is an extremely challenging area of law, full of traps for inexperienced parties.

This is particularly true with respect to the parties’ ability to seek relief from U.S. federal courts. While some advocates may believe that a visit to the judge is the best and fastest way to get results in certain types of procedural disputes, that tactic is often inappropriate in international arbitral proceedings, where the tribunal’s jurisdiction and powers are frequently in tension with the jurisdiction and power of various national courts (since there may be multiple courts that could potentially become involved with a particular matter).

Quite simply, this area of practice is unlike any other, and the only way to avoid making expensive and time-consuming errors is to gain an overview of the process from a specialist’s perspective. This Article provides just that sort of guide, outlining the various ways in which U.S. federal courts can become involved in international commercial arbitration and introducing both basic and advanced concepts in a straightforward, practical manner. However, this Article provides more than just an overview. Instead, it discusses relevant issues on a motion-by-motion basis, helping readers find immediate answers to their questions while also getting a picture of the field as a whole.

Written especially for busy lawyers, this Article gives practitioners, arbitrators and new and infrequent participants in international commercial arbitration a concise but comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges that arise in this complex area of law. Experienced counsel will also find the discussion helpful, not only as a means of explaining the process to clients and junior colleagues but also as a tactical tool to help consider various options in situations where a U.S. federal court may become (or has become) involved in an international arbitral proceeding.

Keywords: international commercial arbitration, arbitration, ADR, federal courts, courts, practice, civil procedure, Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), New York Convention, Panama Convention, motion practice, recognition, enforcement, anti-suit injunction, vacatur, motion to compel, discovery, arbitral award, for

Suggested Citation

Strong, S.I., Navigating the Borders Between International Commercial Arbitration and U.S. Federal Courts: A Jurisprudential GPS (April 25, 2012). Journal of Dispute Resolution, Forthcoming, University of Missouri School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2012-12, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2046225

S.I. Strong (Contact Author)

Emory University School of Law ( email )

1301 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
United States

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