The Legal Framework for Arbitration in Belgium

General Information:

• UNCITRAL Model-Law based: No.
• Legal Provisions: sections 1676-1723 of the Belgian Code Judiciaire – Arbitration Act of 7 August 1998, in force since 19 May 1998, as amended.

Multilateral Conventions:

• New York Convention: Yes (ratification/accession: 18 August 1975); reservations: reciprocity.
• European Convention: Yes (ratification/accession: 18 August 1975); reservations: in the cases referred to in article I, paragraph 1, only the State has the faculty to conclude arbitration agreements.
• ICSID Convention: Yes (ratification/accession: 27 August 1970); reservations: none.
• Energy Charter Treaty: Yes (ratification/accession: 16 April 1998); reservations: none.

Arbitral Institutions:

• Belgian Centre for Mediation and Arbitration (CEPANI)
• Brussels Business Mediation Center (BBMC)