Improving arbitration

The Arbitration Act 1996 is based on a statute recommended by the Law Commission in its report Arbitration. This project raised some specific (and important) problems identified in the operation of the Act. The Report suggested solutions to these problems which will improve significantly the way in which the Act works. That should, in consequence, add to the viability of arbitration as a means of resolving disputes privately in New Zealand. It should also encourage offshore entities to agree to arbitration in New Zealand under the New Zealand Act.

Improving the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZLC PP46, 2001)

The Commission's Preliminary Paper, Improving the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZLC PP46, 2001).

Improving the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZLC R83, 2003)

The Commission's Report, Improving the Arbitration Act 1996 (NZLC R83, 2003).

The recommendations of the Commission were reflected in the Arbitration Amendment Act 2007.

There was no requirement for the Government to present a formal response to Commission reports before April 2009.

See Official Government response process | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).