Section 21: Umpire.

Arbitration Act 1996 · 1996 c. 23View on legislation.gov.uk

Part I: Arbitration pursuant to an arbitration agreement

Where the parties have agreed that there is to be an umpire, they are free to agree what the functions of the umpire are to be, and in particular—

whether he is to attend the proceedings, and
when he is to replace the other arbitrators as the tribunal with power to make decisions, orders and awards.

If or to the extent that there is no such agreement, the following provisions apply.

The umpire shall attend the proceedings and be supplied with the same documents and other materials as are supplied to the other arbitrators.

If the arbitrators cannot agree but fail to give notice of that fact, or if any of them fails to join in the giving of notice, any party to the arbitral proceedings may (upon notice to the other parties and to the tribunal) apply to the court which may order that the umpire shall replace the other arbitrators as the tribunal with power to make decisions, orders and awards as if he were sole arbitrator.

The leave of the court is required for any appeal from a decision of the court under this section.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.