The Rome I and Rome II Regulations in International Commercial Arbitration

Abstract

I. Law Applicable to the Merits in Commercial Arbitration in the European Union. A. Legal Framework in the Union and its Member States. B. Arbitration Rules. C. Arbitration Practice. II. Scope of the Rome I Regulation with regard to Arbitration. A. The Regulation as a Binding Instrument? B. State Courts as Direct Addressees of the Regulation. C. Scope and Significance. III. Rome II Regulation. A. Application. B. Structure and Mandatory Conflict of Laws Rules. IV. Choice-of-law Agreements: Meaning of the Rome I and II Regulations. A. Limits to Party Autonomy. B. Source of Guidance. C. Non-Contractual Obligations. V. Methods to Determine the Law Applicable in the Absence of Choice. A. General Considerations. B. Contracts. C. Non-Contractual Obligations. VI. International Mandatory Rules and Mandatory Conflict of Laws Rules. A. The Rome Instruments and the Protection of EU Public Policy in Arbitration. B. Effect of Overriding Mandatory Provisions. C. Bilateral Conflict Rules and Scope of Public Policy Provisions. VII. Conclusion