Ciarb welcomes the inclusion of one of its key recommendations in the UK Government's legislative agenda.

King Charles III outlined the new Government’s legislative agenda this week (17 July 2024), and Ciarb is encouraged to see the reintroduction of the Arbitration Bill as a priority. The Arbitration Bill reflects a multi-year, multi-stakeholder engagement led by the Law Commission to modernise the Arbitration Act 1996 to which Ciarb submitted three responses in December 2022, March 2023 and February 2024.

Ciarb also set out its seven key recommendations for the Government of the United Kingdom (GovUK) following the 2024 General Election, which recommended the reintroduction of the Arbitration Bill and we look forward to the Arbitration Bill being enacted as soon as practicable.

Catherine Dixon MCIArb, CEO of Ciarb notes: “As a leading professional body for dispute resolvers, we are delighted that the Arbitration Bill has been included in the King’s Speech. We welcome this encouraging step, and look forward to seeing private dispute resolution further strengthened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and globally. I thank the Law Commission for the review and all our members who have contributed to Ciarb’s responses to the consultations and call for evidence. Their expertise and commitment is invaluable. Ciarb is delighted to see that dispute resolution and access to justice is at the forefront of the UK Government's priorities.”

Jonathan Wood FCIArb, Ciarb President comments: "The UK Government's plans to reintroduce the Arbitration Bill as a priority is great news for the arbitration community, and shows England and Wales are leading the way as a major seat for international arbitration. The hard work of Professor Sarah Greene and her team at the Law Commission has paid off. Ciarb was pleased to have been involved in the consultation process and I was delighted to support in my position as President of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators by giving evidence to the House of Lords committee."

Ciarb actively supports legislative change in the best interest of parties and private dispute resolution practitioners, and which promotes high standards of practice, to ensure private dispute resolution continues to be used as a means of accessing justice around the world. Ciarb acts as a Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Alternative Dispute Resolution (APPG ADR) which last met on 30 January 2024 to discuss recent developments in legal services in the UK and how such services support the UK’s position as a leading jurisdiction for international dispute resolution.