2024 NAI Arbitration Rules
With effect from 1 March 2024, new arbitration rules are in force: the NAI Arbitration Rules 2024 (Arbitration Rules). These new Arbitration Rules provide for even more efficient and faster dispute resolution through innovative tools. A newly developed arbitration platform facilitates secure electronic communication. There is also a focus on sustainability, diversity and inclusivity in the new Arbitration Rules.
For 75 years, the NAI has been a leading arbitration institute in Europe that stands for quality and innovation. We are constantly working to optimise our processes and further develop our services. The new Arbitration Rules are a good example of this. The changes in the new Arbitration Rules are extensive. Besides an entirely new structure, the NAI Arbitration Rules 2024 have a number of new features. We are happy to explain the most important changes.
Additional safeguards for arbitrators’ independence and impartiality
- New reporting requirement on litigation funding.
- Enhancing the arbitrator’s declaration of independence and impartiality, availability, and also electronic accessibility.
- Contact with the NAI on appointment of the chair by the co-arbitrators.
- Improved regulation on the challenge of arbitrators (including an anti-abuse provision).
Efficiency improvements
- More efficient appointment procedures (direct NAI appointments if parties cannot work it out themselves).
- Introduction of a fixed pre-trial hearing and a fixed interim pre-trial hearing.
- Introduction of an expedited arbitration .
- Early determination of unfounded disputes.
- Resolution of disputes from multiple contracts in one arbitration.
- Option of English-language proceedings relating to arbitration at the Netherlands Commercial Court.
Quality improvements
- A balanced scrutiny of the draft arbitral award by the NAI.
- Option of cost sanctions by arbitrators for improper procedural behaviour.
Sustainability, diversity and inclusivity
- Communication only via the NAI arbitration platform or email.
- Obligation to account for the importance of sustainability issues as well as diversity and inclusivity.
The NAI Arbitration Rules 2024 apply to arbitration proceedings filed on or after 1 March 2024. If you have any questions about the new rules, please let us know. You can contact secretariaat@nai.nl
An overview of the NAI Arbitration Rules
| NAI Arbitration Rules – version | Text | Appendices | Addenda |
| NAI Arbitration Rules 2024 | web version | pdf | web version | – |
| NAI Arbitration Rules 2015 | web version | pdf | ||
| NAI Arbitration Rules 2010 | – | – |