There is a contractual relation between the parties to a dispute and the arbitrators, which entails the existence of rights and duties on both sides. When arbitrators breach their contractual obligations, their civil liability may be triggered and it is not limited to cases in which the award has been set aside. The civil liability usually arises in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct; however, the interpretation of those concepts is not uniform in different jurisdictions.In this article, the author makes a comparative analysis of different sources of the civil liability of arbitrators and presents relevant international case law. In addition, the article explains the arbitrators’ obligations such as the obligation to issue an enforceable award, to be independent and impartial, to ensure equal treatment of the parties and to maintain confidentiality.

Los inversionistas pueden proteger sus inversiones e iniciar arbitrajes contra los Estados no solo en base a tratados internacionales de inversión, sino también bajo leyes nacionales de los Estados receptores de la inversión o bajo el contrato firmado con el Estado o su emanación. Estructuras organizativas elaboradas pueden llevar a la multiplicidad de disputas iniciadas por el inversionista y sus compañías afiliadas, bajo diferentes tratados, contratos o leyes, a pesar de que el fondo de la controversia es el mismo. Para evitar procedimientos paralelos o múltiples por las mismas medidas del Estado receptor de la inversión, muchos tratados prevén que para iniciar un arbitraje, el inversionista debe renunciar -en nombre propio y/o de las compañías afiliadas- el derecho a iniciar o continuar ante otros foros procedimientos de resolución de disputas respecto a las medidas tomada...

There is a contractual relation between the parties to a dispute and the arbitrators, which entails the existence of rights and duties on both sides. When arbitrators breach their contractual obligations, their civil liability may be triggered and it is not limited to cases in which the award has been set aside. The civil liability usually arises in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct; however, the interpretation of those concepts is not uniform in different jurisdictions.In this article, the author makes a comparative analysis of different sources of the civil liability of arbitrators and presents relevant international case law. In addition, the article explains the arbitrators’ obligations such as the obligation to issue an enforceable award, to be independent and impartial, to ensure equal treatment of the parties and to maintain confidentiality.

There is a contractual relation between the parties to a dispute and the arbitrators, which entails the existence of rights and duties on both sides. When arbitrators breach their contractual obligations, their civil liability may be triggered and it is not limited to cases in which the award has been set aside. The civil liability usually arises in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct; however, the interpretation of those concepts is not uniform in different jurisdictions.In this article, the author makes a comparative analysis of different sources of the civil liability of arbitrators and presents relevant international case law. In addition, the article explains the arbitrators’ obligations such as the obligation to issue an enforceable award, to be independent and impartial, to ensure equal treatment of the parties and to maintain confidentiality.