The role of the delocalisation theory in the development of the French legislation on international commercial arbitration

The notion of delocalisation of international commercial arbitration has recently drawn increasing attention from Russian and foreign scholars. The main problematic of scientific discussions relates to the question of how closely international commercial arbitration is related to the legal order of the seat of arbitration. The emergence and development of the theory of delocalisation of international commercial arbitration is inextricably linked to the French legal science. French scientists stand at the origins of this theory. Besides, French law and jurisprudence have been significantly influenced by the theory of delocalisation of international commercial arbitration. The following provisions of the French legislation provide the most significant examples. First, article 1511 of the French code of civil procedure constitutes a basis for the use by arbitrators of the method of direct choice of law (“voie directe”). This implies that arbitrators do not have to apply any conflict of laws rules. Therefore, French law provides for a broad autonomy of arbitrators in the choice of law, while at the same time reducing the link between arbitration and national law, including the French law. French law is thus in perfect harmony with the concept of delocalisation of international commercial arbitration. Second, it is worth mentioning that the French code of civil procedure contains a limited number of grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. This particularity permits to ensure the highest efficiency of international commercial arbitration, to maintain an arbitration friendly approach at the stage of recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, as well as to recognise and enforce arbitral awards that have been set aside at the seat of arbitration. This corresponds to the idea of delocalisation of international commercial arbitration. Third, the influence of the delocalisation theory on the French legislation is also reflected in the scope of international competence of the French supporting judge, who can act in cases where one of the parties incurs the risk of denial of justice. This means that the French supporting judge is entitled, for example, to nominate an arbitrator if one of the parties fails to do so, even if the dispute does not have any objective links to France. The features of the French legislation on international commercial arbitration examined above prove that it is impacted by the theory of delocalisation of international commercial arbitration. The recognition in legal science, law and court practice of the autonomy of international commercial arbitration from national legal orders contributes to the growth of attractiveness of Paris as a place of cross-border dispute resolution.

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