Reed Smith launches comprehensive multi-jurisdictional analysis of challenges to arbitration awards

Global law firm Reed Smith today announced the publication of its International Arbitration Report 2025: A Multi-Jurisdictional Analysis of Challenges to Arbitration Awards, a data-driven study examining how courts across leading arbitral seats handle applications to set aside arbitral awards.

Produced in collaboration with LexisNexis, the report draws on hundreds of cases from England and Wales, France, Hong Kong, the Middle East, New York, and Singapore. It provides one of the most extensive empirical analyses of arbitration award challenges conducted to date.

Covering a six-year period, the report explores the volume, nature, and outcomes of challenges, highlights key legal developments, and identifies trends in the judicial approach to setting aside and enforcing awards across jurisdictions. It offers practical insights for clients, counsel, and arbitration users on the robustness of arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism and the strategic considerations relevant when selecting a seat or pursuing post-award remedies.

Timothy Cooke, international arbitration lawyer and managing partner of Reed Smith’s Singapore office, said: “Arbitration users are increasingly seeking clear and objective insight into how courts approach award challenges. This report brings together meaningful, data-driven evidence from the world’s leading seats to show not only how consistently courts support the arbitral process but also where the real opportunities and risks lie. By presenting outcomes, timelines, costs, and emerging trends in one accessible resource, we aim to equip in-house counsel and practitioners with practical intelligence that strengthens decision-making from seat selection through to enforcement strategy.”

The report identifies several notable trends across the surveyed jurisdictions, including:

1. Low overall success rates for challenges, confirming the high threshold for judicial intervention in arbitral awards
2. Differences in jurisdictional approaches, with some courts conducting detailed reviews of awards while others adopt a light-touch approach
3. A growing focus on public policy issues, including corruption and sanctions, particularly in France and other civil law jurisdictions
4. Increasingly lengthy timelines for the resolution of challenges in some courts, reflecting the complexity of modern disputes and appellate processes

The study also examines the impact of recent legislative developments, including reforms to the English Arbitration Act, and highlights practical implications for drafting arbitration agreements, managing disputes, and mitigating the risks of post-award challenges.

The full International Arbitration Report 2025 is available for download on Reed Smith’s website.