Arbitration Act 1996

3 Powers relating to conduct of arbitral proceedings

• (1) For the purposes of article 19 of Schedule 1, and unless the parties agree otherwise, the parties shall be taken as having agreed that the powers conferred upon the arbitral tribunal include the power to—

  • (a) adopt inquisitorial processes:

  • (b) draw on its own knowledge and expertise:

  • (c) order the provision of further particulars in a statement of claim or statement of defence:

  • (d) order the giving of security for costs:

  • (e) fix and amend time limits within which various steps in the arbitral proceedings must be completed:

  • (f) order the discovery and production of documents or materials within the possession or power of a party:

  • (g) order the answering of interrogatories:

  • (h) order that any evidence be given orally or by affidavit or otherwise:

  • (i) order that any evidence be given on oath or affirmation:

  • (j) order any party to do all such other things during the arbitral proceedings as may reasonably be needed to enable an award to be made properly and efficiently:

  • (k) make an interim, interlocutory or partial award.

  (2) Notwithstanding anything in article 5 of Schedule 1, the arbitral tribunal, or a party with the approval of the arbitral tribunal, may request from the court assistance in the exercise of any power conferred on the arbitral tribunal under subclause (1).

  (3) If a request is made under subclause (2), the High Court or a District Court shall have, for the purposes of the arbitral proceedings, the same power to make an order for the doing of any thing which the arbitral tribunal is empowered to order under subclause (1) as it would have in civil proceedings before that court.