Malta Arbitration Centre sees increase in filing of international cases

Business Breakfast marks 20 years of arbitration in Malta

‘Arbitration in Malta: A Critical Analysis’ is the theme of a Business Breakfast being organised by the Malta Arbitration Centre on Friday 23 February to commemorate 20 years since the Arbitration Act came into force in February 1998.

The Malta Arbitration Centre started operating in March 2000 with the specific functions of promoting Malta as a centre for arbitration both in Malta and abroad, to provide for the conduct of arbitration proceedings, and to recognize and enforce arbitral awards. Recently, in fact, the Malta Arbitration Centre has also seen an increase in the filing of international cases.

“During this Business Breakfast, we will be looking at those areas of the Centre’s operations that need improvement and discuss proposed ways on how we can provide a better service to all those who use the Centre’s services,” said Dr George Hyzler, who is serving his third term as chairman of the Centre’s Board of Governors.

Arbitration offers many advantages over a Court settlement such as confidentiality, cost-effectiveness, speed, flexibility and expertise. One of the main factors that make arbitration an attractive proposition is that the two parties can choose, by agreement, an independent and impartial third party who will act as the arbitrator to hear and determine their dispute.

Malta’s accession and ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards [1958 New York Convention], means that awards delivered outside Malta, can be recognised and enforced in Malta, on filing an application to that effect with the Centre.

“Arbitration in Malta: A Critical Analysis” will include a speech by Dr Fiona Galea Farrugia, Registrar of the Centre on the subject “Advantages of Arbitration: Are We Maximizing The Full Potential”, as well as a speech by Dr Antoine Cremona, lawyer and arbitration practitioner on “The Complex Relationship between Arbitration and the Courts in Malta”.

“Arbitration in Malta: A Critical Analysis” will be held at the Casino Maltese in Valletta, from 9 to 11am. Registration starts at 8.30am. Interested participants are kindly asked to send an email to info@mac.com.mt.