Call for Arbitrators for new UK Free Trade Agreement arbitration panels

As the UK negotiates new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) following its departure from the European Union, the Department for International Trade is seeking qualified arbitrators to join rosters for the dispute mechanisms within those FTAs.

The call for expressions of interest explains in detail what the UK government is looking for. In the event of a dispute arising under any of the FTAs in question, arbitration panels may be constituted drawing from the rosters to adjudicate on the dispute (in accordance with the FTAs dispute settlement chapters).

In addition to candidates for the general dispute settlement rosters, the UK government is also seeking candidates with specialist experience in the fields of financial services law, international environmental law and international labour law for specialist fosters within some UK FTAs.

The Department for International Trade also specifies that successful candidates must have a specialised knowledge of law and international trade with eight years proven experience in these fields. Arbitrators are also banned from taking instruction from the UK government when listed on any of the rosters, and sitting judges are not eligible to apply. Read the full list of eligibility requirements.

This call for applications is open until 11.59pm on 6 December 2020. Anyone wishing to apply should visit the Department for International Trade webpage. Any applications or queries about the process should be submitted to ArbitratorsEOI@trade.gov.uk.