Originally from Arbitration Law and Practice in Central and Eastern Europe, Second Edition

1. GENERAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK

1.1 National law

a) Current status

What is the current status? When was it enacted? Have there been amendments?

The most important statutory provisions of Austrian arbitration law are contained in sections 577-618 of the Austrian Civil Procedure Code (CPC).  In 2006, the Austrian arbitration law was revised through the SchiedsRÄG 2006.  The main goal of such amendment was to create a modern Austrian arbitration law, which conforms largely to the UNCITRAL Model Law (UML). The new provisions came into force on 1 July 2006. For arbitration proceedings that were initiated before 1 July 2006, the old rules remain applicable. Also, the validity of arbitration agreements that were concluded before 1 July 2006 remains subject to the old rules (Art. VII of the SchiedsRÄG 2006). A further amendment of the law entered into force in 2014.  The Austrian Supreme Court became the first and last instance for actions to set aside an award as well as certain ancillary matters. This does not apply to employment and consumer arbitrations.