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Arbitration Submission Agreement Template for Australia

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What is a Arbitration Submission Agreement?

An arbitration submission agreement in Australia is a written contract signed after a dispute has arisen, in which the parties agree to submit that specific dispute to private arbitration. Governed by the applicable state Commercial Arbitration Act, it is an enforceable arbitration agreement and allows courts to stay any conflicting court proceedings in favour of arbitration. GenieAI generates tailored submission agreements that specify the scope, seat, and procedural rules for Australian disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an arbitration submission agreement and when is it used?

An arbitration submission agreement (also called a submission to arbitration) is entered into after a dispute has arisen, when the parties agree to refer that specific dispute to arbitration. It contrasts with an arbitration clause in a contract, which is agreed before any dispute arises. Both are valid arbitration agreements under Australian state Commercial Arbitration Acts.

How does an arbitration submission agreement differ from an arbitration clause?

An arbitration clause is a pre-dispute agreement inserted into a contract before any disagreement occurs. An arbitration submission agreement is signed after a dispute has arisen to submit it to arbitration. The main practical difference is that a submission agreement lets the parties tailor the scope precisely to the known dispute, whereas a clause is necessarily broader.

Must an arbitration submission agreement be in writing to be valid in Australia?

Yes. Under the state Commercial Arbitration Acts, an arbitration agreement, including a submission agreement, must be in writing. It may be in the form of a document signed by the parties, an exchange of letters or electronic communications, or any other means that provides a record of the agreement and the parties' consent.

What happens if one party refuses to proceed with arbitration after signing a submission agreement?

The other party can apply to the relevant Australian court to stay any court proceedings and compel arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Act. Courts will stay proceedings where a valid arbitration agreement exists and the dispute falls within its scope, unless the agreement is null, inoperative, or incapable of being performed.

What should an arbitration submission agreement include to be effective?

The agreement should identify the parties, describe the specific dispute being submitted, nominate the seat of arbitration and applicable law, specify the number and method of appointing arbitrators, choose institutional or ad hoc rules, address costs and confidentiality, and confirm that both parties consent freely to the arbitration process.

Can a party withdraw from an arbitration submission agreement once signed?

No. Once signed, a submission agreement is a binding contract. Withdrawal without consent constitutes a breach entitling the other party to damages and to seek a court order compelling participation. The arbitral tribunal has power under the Commercial Arbitration Acts to proceed and issue an award even if one party refuses to participate after the process has begun.

Does referring a dispute to arbitration by submission agreement stop the limitation period running?

Yes. Under Australian limitation legislation, commencement of arbitral proceedings generally stops the limitation clock in relation to the issues referred to arbitration. This prevents a claim from becoming time-barred during the arbitral process. Parties should not delay in executing and acting on the submission agreement if limitation periods are a concern.

How are the costs of arbitration allocated in a submission agreement in Australia?

The parties can agree in the submission on how costs are allocated, for example that costs follow the event or are split equally. If the submission is silent, the arbitrator has discretion to allocate costs. Institutional rules (such as those of ACICA) also address costs. Parties should consider fee deposits required by the chosen institution when drafting the agreement.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A lawyer, legal researcher and legal tech founder, Swetha has built AI products deployed inside Tier 1 firms and enterprises. She ensures GenieAI's alignment with the latest regulation and executes testing on the legal robustness of Genie output.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A Skadden-trained M&A lawyer, Imad advised on cross-border transactions and contractual risk before moving into legal AI. He reviews GenieAI's output for compliance and enforceability across our 150+ supported jurisdictions, as well as facilitating external benchmarking.

Jurisdiction

Australia

Reviewed by

&

Publisher

GenieAI

Sector

Business

Cost

Free to use

Last updated

About the Arbitration Submission Agreement

When you find yourself in a legal dispute but lack a pre-existing arbitration clause in your contract, an Arbitration Submission Agreement provides a pathway to resolve conflicts outside of court. This document allows you and the opposing party to agree on arbitration as your dispute resolution method, even after the dispute has already emerged.

When do you need this document?

You need an Arbitration Submission Agreement when you have an active dispute with another party and want to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. This situation commonly arises in business partnerships where the original agreement lacked arbitration provisions, employment disputes where arbitration wasn't initially contemplated, or contract disagreements where both parties prefer private resolution. The document is also essential when you want to modify existing arbitration arrangements to better suit your specific dispute, such as changing the number of arbitrators or selecting different procedural rules than originally specified.

Key legal considerations

Several critical elements must be carefully addressed in your Arbitration Submission Agreement. The scope of arbitration clause defines exactly which issues will be submitted to arbitration and which remain outside the arbitrator's authority. Arbitrator selection provisions establish whether you'll use a single arbitrator or panel, qualification requirements, and appointment procedures. You must specify which institutional rules will govern the proceeding, such as American Arbitration Association (AAA) or JAMS rules, or whether you'll create custom procedures. Cost allocation determines who pays arbitration fees, administrative costs, and attorney fees. The governing law clause establishes which state or federal laws apply to both the arbitration process and the underlying dispute. Additionally, consider confidentiality provisions, discovery limitations, and whether the arbitrator's award will be binding or advisory.

Legal requirements in United States

Under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), your Arbitration Submission Agreement must involve transactions affecting interstate commerce to fall under federal jurisdiction. The agreement must demonstrate mutual consent from all parties, typically through signatures and acknowledgment of the arbitration terms. You must ensure the arbitration procedures comply with due process requirements, including adequate notice, opportunity to be heard, and impartial arbitrators. State arbitration laws may impose additional requirements, particularly regarding arbitrator qualifications, procedural safeguards, and award enforcement mechanisms. The agreement should reference relevant institutional rules if you're using an arbitration organization, as these rules become part of your contract. For international elements, ensure compliance with the New York Convention for recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards. Finally, consider whether your dispute involves any statutory claims that may require special handling under federal or state law, as some statutory rights cannot be waived through arbitration agreements.

GOVERNING LAW

Applicable law

This Arbitration Submission Agreement is drafted to comply with Australia law. Key legislation includes:

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