Vienna Perspective – 2014

This article comments on recent arbitration-related developments in Austria and provides readers with a ‘‘Vienna Perspective’’ on issues relevant for international arbitration.

This year we focus on a decision of the Austrian Supreme Court on the challenge of an arbitrator, a topic currently again in the center of attention due to the recently revised IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration. Other decisions reported in the overview section of this commentary cover the enforceability of an award under appeal before a 2nd instance arbitral tribunal, the effects of an arbitration clause agreed in parallel to state court jurisdiction, the effects of invalid parts of an arbitration clause and the scope of consumer protection in arbitration.