The Validity of the Arbitration Agreement as Grounds for Refusal of an Arbitral Award - Recent Case Law and Developments in Bulgaria and Other Jurisdictions

Validitatea convenţiei arbitrale ca motiv de refuz al recunoaşterii unei hotărâri arbitrale - practică recentă şi evoluţii din Bulgaria şi din alte jurisdicţii

Angelina BONEVA-PETROVA, LL.M., Ph.D. candidate

ABSTRACT

A validly concluded arbitration agreement ensures the validity of the arbitration proceedings themselves and establishes the jurisdiction of an arbitral tribunal. Upon concluding a valid arbitration agreement between bona fide parties to the contract, arbitral proceedings can be carried out accordingly, and the rendered award should not be subject to additional court interpretation, setting aside or refusal for enforcement. However, the invalidity of the arbitration agreement, being one of the exhaustively listed grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, is among the most invoked...