CIArb’s statement on the importance of the rule of law

The Rule of Law may be our most valuable inheritance. It is our moral duty to uphold it.

Commitment to the rule of law is in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ DNA and underpins everything we stand for. It is the foundation upon which the strongest systems of government and societal institutions ultimately rest. It is an ideal we must defend, maintain and uphold for future generations. This responsibility must override any short-term political objective, however important that objective may seem.

The Internal Market Bill, currently making its way through the UK Parliament, directly contravenes the rule of law. Specifically, Clauses 41-45 relating to Northern Ireland grant Ministers the scope to violate legally-binding treaty obligations, and the Bill explicitly asserts that such provisions will have effect “notwithstanding any relevant international or domestic law with which they may be incompatible or inconsistent”.

We are duty-bound to express our opposition to any willingness to disregard the rule of law and compliance with international law. The UK has a proud history of promoting and upholding the rule of law around the world. CIArb would encourage the UK Parliament to maintain its international reputation and proud record of upholding rule of law.

Catherine Dixon (Director General, CIArb)