International Commercial Arbitration Research Guide

This guide introduces researchers to primary and secondary sources for international commercial arbitration research.

Introduction

International commercial arbitration is an alternative method of resolving disputes between private parties arising out of commercial transactions conducted across national boundaries that allows the parties to avoid litigation in national courts.

This guide identifies the best tools for locating primary law materials related to international commercial arbitration, including treaties, national legislation, procedural rules, and arbitral awards. It also covers secondary sources, which are essential for conducting thorough research.

Key Resources for International Commercial Arbitration

  • Global Arbitration Review (GAR)
    Monitor the latest developments in international commercial arbitration with this specialized news source.  Also publishes topical and regional guides to arbitration and annual surveys.
     
  • ICC Dispute Resolution Library (ICC DLR)
    Extracts from arbitral awards issued in disputes administered by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), plus content from selected ICC publications. 

    Note:  ICC DLR content is now hosted on the Jus Mundi platform.  Use the "Explore the Resources" menu on the ICC DLR homepage to select the desired content.  You will then be redirected to that content on Jus Mundi.
     
  • Jus Mundi
    Offers the broadest coverage of arbitral awards entered in international commercial disputes between private parties.  Select "Cases" to browse or search by keyword.  Use the filters to narrow by type of case, arbitral institution, rules of arbitration, applicable law or treaty, etc.
     
  • Kluwer Arbitration
    Search or browse for primary legal materials (treaties, national arbitration laws, arbitration rules, arbitral awards, and court decisions) and secondary sources (e-books, practice guides, and articles published in 24 arbitration-focused journals). 
     
  • Transnational Dispute Management (TDM)
    Access articles published in TDM's peer-reviewed, online-only journal, plus a searchable database of primary legal materials.
     
  • Westlaw - International Arbitration Materials
    Content includes primary legal materials from select jurisdictions and arbitral institutions, as well as secondary sources (treatises, practice guides, and drafting aids).
     

For more detailed information about the resources described above, see the Subscription Databases page of this research guide.
 

Research Assistance and Help with Related Topics

If you need assistance with international commercial arbitration research, visit the Research Help page of the Georgetown University Law Library's website. Or contact the Law Library's International and Foreign Law Department by phone (202-662-4195) or by email (lawintlref@georgetown.edu).  Georgetown Law Center students may schedule a one-on-one research consultation with a librarian.

For advice on researching the resolution of disputes between foreign investors and sovereign states, consult the Law Library's guide to International Investment Law.

International Commercial Arbitration

Research Help

If you need assistance with international commercial arbitration research, visit the Research Help page of the Georgetown Law Library's website. Or contact the library's International and Foreign Law Department by phone (202-662-4195) or by email (lawintlref@georgetown.edu).  Georgetown Law Center students may schedule a one-on-one research consultation with a librarian.

For advice on researching the resolution of disputes between foreign investors and sovereign states, consult the Georgetown Law Library's guide to International Investment Law.

Questions? Need Help? Contact the International & Foreign Law Dept.

International & Foreign
Legal Research


(202) 662-4195



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Update History

  • Updated 08/2022 (chb)
  • Updated 08/2019 (chb)
  • Updated 08/2018 (chb)
  • Updated 12/2016 (chb)
  • Revised 06/2015 (chb)
  • Links checked  11/2012 (mms)
  • Revised 01/2011 (ras)
  • Revised 05/2007 (aeb)