Alternative Dispute Settlement in International Law: Resolving Commercial Disputes through Arbitration

Abstract

The increasing volume of international trade, coupled with the computer-nature of many of these relationships, has led to greater reliance on arbitration to resolve contractual disputes. This settlement of disputes by a non-judicial third party is increasingly called for, in international. Contracts because it is cheaper, quicker, and more private than resolving disputes through litigation. Equally important, however, is the fact that it can take place in a neutral location. The increase trade with countries such as China, Japan and Korea where mediation rather than litigation of disputes is traditional, has given added impetus to this trend. The growing attractiveness has resulted in the establishment of arbitration centers in world capitals such as London, Cairo, Hong Kong and Stockholm and major cities as Geneva and New York. Recognition and enforcement of international arbitration agreements and awards is generally controlled through multilateral treaties. An outgrowth of this trend has been the emergence of several major arbitral institutions that have conducted their own sets of rules and procedures. However, the parties to a contract are free to opt for a more informal or ad hoc arbitration arrangement based on their own set of guidelines. Such agreements are legally enforceable as long as the parties have agreed to abide by the arbitrator’s decision. In Cameroon however, since the passage of the OHADA Treaty was signed and ratified in 2000, it is applicable in the territory of Cameroon. This is the first treaty of its kind in Africa to deal with arbitration matters sometimes referred to as well.