• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.3-17
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• 2015

For many years commentators have requested more active regulation of attorney ethics in international arbitration. Gradual deterioration of ethical standards in international arbitration will bring disrepute and, once its reputation is lost, it could take decades to rebuild confidence. The first reason for increasing unethical behavior is that there is no ethical code generally applied to all lawyers participating in international arbitration. A second reason might be that nobody is actively regulating attorneys in international arbitration. The first step to solve this problem is that major arbitration institutions should cooperate to enact a uniform code of conduct to be generally applied to all attorneys representing parties in international arbitration. Recently, IBA and LCIA prepared guidelines on party representation in international arbitration, and the guidelines will help attorneys follow uniform standardsof ethics. However, this will not be sufficient. There should be a regulating body to monitor attorney ethics and take sanctions against unethical attorneys accordingly. Arbitrators, who can see unethical behavior by attorneys from the closest distance, are the most appropriate regulating force rather than courts of arbitration seat or an attorney's licensing country. Of course, arbitrators don't have powers to withdraw or suspend an attorney's license, but they have powers to control attorneys'behavior within arbitration proceedings such as an allocation of fees and costs, barring the assertion of claims or defenses, drawing adverse inferences, or precluding the submission of evidence or testimony. Furthermore, arbitrators should be provided with such obligation as active control of attorney ethics. Even arbitration institutions should participate by imposing on an attorney who is a repeat offender a suspension from appearing in future arbitrations. Unethical behavior will decrease through concerted actions among arbitrational institutions to introduce a uniform code of conduct and to empower arbitrators for more efficient regulation of attorney ethics.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.78
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• pp.31-51
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• 2018

As International arbitration has increased in popularity, there has been an expansion in the pool of arbitrators, and a commensurate diversification of not only the legal backgrounds but cultural backgrounds among themand among parties. As a result, there has been increased attention on the standards used to evaluate arbitrators' conduct and ethics, especially among them, 'Impartiality and Independence of Arbitrator' which is a precondition for an acceptable awards. There is no international treaty or code governing these issues. But the International Bar Association(IBA) seems to be leading the way such as establishing practical guidelines regarding to impartiality and independence of arbitrator. This article will review some theories, cases about impartiality and independence of arbitrator, and practical standards through the IBA guidelines. It is intended to provide specific guidance and criteria to the arbitrators, parties and counsels. And also it is expected to prevent unnecessary delays in arbitration proceedings in advance and filing for the annulment of arbitral awards because of lack of impartiality and independence of arbitrator as well.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.115-136
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• 2020

This article provides an overview of the state of affairs of arbitrator disclosure obligations in Korea. It shows how Korean courts will analyze arbitrator conflicts and obligations through an evaluation of Supreme Court judgments and a case-specific analysis of the recent Oilhub case and provides a comparative perspective through a review of recent Japanese case law. Although limited to domestic arbitrations, it assesses the various grounds that courts consider when determining impermissible arbitrator conflicts based on relations with parties and when an award might be set aside as a result. With the 2016 adoption of the KCAB Code of Ethics for Arbitrators and its rigorous standards, great clarity has been brought to the landscape. The Code of Ethics marks a significant milestone in enhancing the robustness of arbitrator disclosures and guaranteeing the fairness, integrity, and transparency of Korean arbitration practice and law.