Commentary of CASS 1ere Civ, 7 June 2023: When abiding by the applicable arbitration rules and jurisprudence on arbitrator challenges is still not enough for the French Cour de Cassation

Comentariu al Deciziei CASS 1ere Civ, 7 iunie 2023: Când respectarea regulilor arbitrale aplicabile şi a jurisprudenţei privind recuzarea arbitrilor nu este totuşi suficientă pentru Curtea de Casaţie Franceză

Baptiste RIGAUDEAU, MCIArb

Abstract

This article discusses the recent French Cour de cassation decision in IBC v. CNAN et. al, in which the court clarified that parties which have challenged arbitrators for lack of independence during arbitral proceedings must also record their objection to the tribunal's constitution before the same tribunal to invoke such ground at the annulment stage. The decision notably creates confusion over the interpretation of Article 1466 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, which posits that an international arbitration party, which knows of an irregularity in the...