The Bar Council has warmly welcomed the Arbitration Bill 2025 receiving Royal Assent. The new Act updates the 1996 Arbitration Act and enacts the recommendations of the Law Commission to ensure the legislation continues to promote the UK as a leading destination for commercial arbitration. According to the Law Commission there are at least 5,000 domestic and international arbitrations each year in England and Wales, worth £2.5 billion to the British economy in fees alone.
Commenting, Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council, said:
“We welcome the new Arbitration Act which will strengthen the UK’s position as a leading centre for arbitration – worth billions to the British economy.
“In particular, we welcome the greater clarity afforded by the new legislation on the law applicable to arbitration agreements which we anticipate will result in more disputes being arbitrated in England and Wales. The Act also clarifies the powers of courts to support arbitration and powers for summarily dismissing issues that have no real prospect of success which should improve the efficiency of arbitral proceedings.
“Modernising our arbitral framework will help ensure the UK continues to be competitive in the global market.”