Disputes and Arbitration the French Way

Disputes and Arbitration: différend, arbitrage, tribunal

Dispute Resolution in France

Pre-litigation Mechanisms

Règlement amiable (amicable settlement):

• Avant tout recours judiciaire, les parties tenteront un règlement à l'amiable. — Before resorting to legal proceedings, the parties will attempt to settle the dispute amicably.

Mediation:

• Le médiateur est un tiers neutre qui aide les parties à trouver un accord. — The mediator is a neutral third party who helps the parties reach an agreement.
• La médiation est confidentielle et non contraignante. — Mediation is confidential and non-binding.
• Centre de médiation et d'arbitrage de Paris (CMAP) — the main mediation center in France.

Conciliation:

• Procedure similar to mediation, often judicial.

Arbitration (Arbitrage)

Advantages of arbitration for business:

• Confidentiality (vs. public court)
• Neutral forum for international disputes
• Recognition of decisions (New York Convention 1958)
• Possibility to choose expert arbitrators

Key arbitration institutions:

ICC (Chambre de Commerce Internationale) — International Chamber of Commerce in Paris:

• One of the oldest arbitration institutions (1923)
• ICC Rules
• More than 1000 cases per year from 140+ countries

ICSID (Centre International pour le Règlement des Différends relatifs aux Investissements) — for investor-state investment disputes (Washington Convention)

Clause compromissoire (arbitration clause in contract): “Tout différend découlant du présent contrat sera soumis à l'arbitrage de la CCI conformément à son Règlement d'arbitrage.” “Any dispute arising from this contract shall be submitted to ICC arbitration in accordance with its Arbitration Rules.”

Judicial System of France

Key Dispute Vocabulary