Scottish arbitrators expand in anticipation of new bill

THE SCOTTISH Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators has set up a new north of Scotland section ahead of the Arbitration (Scotland) Bill.

Founder member Chris Arnold, a consultant at Aberdeen firm Paull & Williamsons, said the fact that companies in the oil and gas sector were increasingly turning to arbitration as a means of solving disputes was a partial driver of the launch.

“The focus is the oil and gas industry, which tries to resolve disputes rather than go to court,” he said.

The Arbitration (Scotland) Bill aims to streamline Scottish arbitration law into a single statute.