The issue of confidentiality is key to the successful practice of international commercial arbitration. The confidentiality of arbitration proceedings is a reason for resorting to arbitration, as distinct from litigation.1 It is a collateral expectation of parties to an arbitration that their business and personal confidences will be kept. Despite its central importance, confidentiality cannot be assumed in all jurisdictions. It is therefore critical that arbitrators be fully informed about the legal and policy issues surrounding confidentiality in order to appropriately resolve disputes concerning those aspects of the arbitration that should, or should not, be confidential. It is widely viewed that confidentiality is one of the advantageous and helpful features of arbitration. Nevertheless, there is no uniform answer in national laws as to the extent to which the participants in an arbitration are under the duty to observe the confidentiality of information relating to the case. Moreover, parries that have agreed on arbitration rules or other provisions that do not expressly address the issue of confidentiality cannot assume that all jurisdictions would recognise an implied commitment to confidentiality. Furthermore, the participants in an arbitration might not have the same understanding as regards the extent of confidentiality that is expected. Therefore, the arbitral tribunal might wish to discuss that with the parties and, if considered appropriate, record any agreed principles on the duty of confidentiality. (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.)2 This article is intended to alert both arbitrating parties and fellow arbitrators to the importance of confidentiality in international commercial arbitration. Drawing on the author's experience, the intent is to share with other arbitrators the complex and sometimes conflicting conceptions of arbitral confidentiality. Sections II and III of the article explore concerns about confidentiality, the conflict between the need for transparent decision-making and to preserve private confidences …