Lord Clark announces new Arbitration Court user group

A new Arbitration Court User Group has been established to provide a forum for consultation, discussion and feedback from legal professionals and others involved in arbitration matters in Scottish courts.

The announcement of the formal establishment of the group was made by Lord Clark (pictured), a judge in the Commercial Court of the Court of Session and recently appointed Arbitration Judge, at the Scottish Arbitration Centre in Edinburgh.

It is intended that the group, which will be chaired by Lord Glennie, will provide a forum for those with an interest in arbitral law to come together to discuss arbitration practice and procedure.

The group may, in due course, also be able to offer views on the operation and effectiveness of Scotland’s arbitration law, with a view to assisting in reinforcing the message to the international community that the court supports arbitration.

Addressing an audience of domestic and international arbitrators at the Scottish Arbitration Centre’s annual training event, Lord Clark said: “The principal purpose of the group is to provide a forum for consultation, discussion and feedback on arbitration matters that come before the court, involving judges, legal professionals and others with relevant expertise. The primary focus will be consideration of practice and procedure. As a result of carrying out this function, the group may in due course be able to offer views on the operation and effectiveness of the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010.”

Since the passing of the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010, momentum has gathered towards an increased use of the procedure in Scotland.