Introduction

The choice of venue of an arbitration is often the last decision made during the drafting of a dispute resolution clause—itself often the last clause agreed in a complex contract negotiation. Contracting parties all too often neglect to select a venue, either for lack of care or because the topic is considered to be a matter of personal preference too contentious to address when a deal is ready to close. The venue is, however, much more than a matter of personal preference or party convenience. It plays a critical role in setting the legal foundation for any...