Arbitration
Arbitration resolves commercial disputes outside the courts, under rules and with arbitrators chosen by the parties. We represent clients in arbitration in Albania and abroad, and our lawyers also accept appointments as arbitrators. Where the seat of the arbitration is abroad, we work with partner law firms there, so the client has a single team all the way to enforcement of the award.
Who it is for
- → Albanian and foreign companies whose contracts provide for arbitration
- → Foreign investors in Albania and Albanian companies with partners abroad
- → Parties that need a foreign arbitral award recognised and enforced in Albania
- → Parties and arbitral institutions looking for an arbitrator
What we do
- → Drafting and review of arbitration clauses in contracts
- → Representation of claimants or respondents in institutional and ad hoc arbitration
- → Service as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator or presiding arbitrator
- → Interim measures and assistance from the Albanian courts during arbitration
- → Challenges to arbitral awards before the courts
- → Recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Albania
- → Sports arbitration is covered under Sports law
How we work
- → In-house team: our lawyers follow the case from the clause through to the award.
- → Full service with partners: where the seat, the applicable law or the assets are outside Albania, we work with partner law firms abroad; the client has one point of contact with us.
- → As arbitrator: before accepting an appointment, we check for conflicts of interest and disclose any connection with the parties.
- → Languages: Albanian, English, Italian, Dutch and French.
Legal basis & regulators
- → Law no. 52/2023 "On arbitration in the Republic of Albania"
- → New York Convention (1958) on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards
- → European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration (Geneva, 1961)
- → Washington Convention (ICSID, 1965) on investment disputes
Frequently asked questions
When the parties have agreed to arbitration in writing, either in the contract or after the dispute arises. An agreement by email also counts as written. Without such an agreement, the dispute goes to court.
Yes, once an Albanian court has recognised it. Albania is a party to the New York Convention, so recognition can be refused only on the limited grounds the Convention sets out.