In order to better understand how the mechanisms for challenging the appointment of arbitrators worked, the Arbitration Institute of the

Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC Institute) conducted a survey of challenges to arbitrators between 1995 and 1999. During this period there were 16 instances of challenges to arbitrators. In four of these cases an arbitrator was subsequently discharged from his duties.

 

The grounds for challenge differed from case to case. In the majority of the challenges, however, it was alleged that an arbitrator or an arbitrator’s law firm had previously assisted one of the parties as counsel or otherwise. Most challenges were made under the 1988 SCC Rules. There were also cases where the SCC Institute, in its capacity as appointing authority under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, decided on challenges under these rules. At the time of the survey no challenges had yet come under the 1999 SCC Rules.