The Arbitration Act 2025 is now in force
The Arbitration Act 2025 (the “2025 Act”) comes into force today (on 1 August 2025) and will be welcomed by arbitration practitioners and users alike, given it modernises the legislative arbitration framework in England and Wales (including the existing and largely retained Arbitration Act 1996) and ensures that it remains fit for purpose and supportive of international arbitration.
The amendments set out under the 2025 Act supplement the framework for the arbitral process in England and Wales with provisions that strengthen it – for example, through the codification of the tribunal’s duties of disclosure – and aid speed and efficiency, for example, by introducing the ability to seek summary determination and to appoint emergency arbitrators. These provisions bring the process in line with procedures adopted across many of the commonly-used arbitral rules.
Our expert insight published earlier this year (linked here) gives an overview of the key features of the 2025 Act and its expected impact on arbitration. The 2025 Act can be accessed here.
The 2025 Act (and amendments therein) will apply to all arbitral proceedings commenced after 1 August 2025, including court proceedings and arbitral awards. The amendments will equally apply to existing arbitration agreements (that have not been invoked prior to the 2025 Act coming into force).
