This article presents an overview of the current practice and case law of the Swiss Supreme Court in relation to the implementation of the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
More specifically, this article examines the decisions rendered by the Swiss Supreme Court over the period 2000-2016. Decisions are discussed in relation to the relevant provision of the Convention on an article-by-article basis. For each provision of the Convention, a short commentary is included highlighting the relevant requirements and thresholds that need to be met in light of the recent case law of the Swiss Supreme Court in order for a party to obtain or to successfully resist the recognition and enforcement of a foreign award in Switzerland.
The decisions of the Swiss Supreme Court rendered during the period under review are of particular interest as the Supreme Court has examined several Convention provisions for the first time, whilst confirming, clarifying and even overturning its earlier case law. These decisions confirm that Swiss courts continue to take a liberal, pragmatic and pro-enforcement approach to the New York Convention in practice.
ASA Bulletin