The new Arbitration Act 2025 comes into force in full today, 1 August 2025

The new Arbitration Act 2025 comes into force in full today, 1 August 2025, via the Arbitration Act 2025 (Commencement) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/905).

The Act amends the Arbitration Act 1996, introducing key reforms to the arbitration framework in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including:

• A new default rule on the governing law of an arbitration agreement (section 6)
• The codification of arbitrator’s statutory duty of disclosure (section 23A)
• A strengthening of arbitrator immunity concerning resignation and applications for removal (sections 24 and 25)
• A new framework for jurisdictional challenges to awards and preliminary points on jurisdiction (sections 32, 45 and 67)
• A new power for arbitral tribunals to make awards on a summary basis (section 39A)
• The clarification of court powers in support of emergency arbitrators (sections 41A and 44)
• Enhances court powers allowing orders against third parties in support of arbitrations (section 44)