UNCITRAL’s Work on Concurrent Proceedings in Investment Arbitration : Overcoming the ‘Treaty/Contract Claims’ Gap

Over the last three years the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has been devoting significant attention to the issue of concurrent proceedings in international arbitration. The problem basically arises when one arbitration is initiated in relation to a certain dispute and at the same time related parties initiate parallel proceedings seeking, in whole or in part, the same relief. The Commission believes that addressing this problem would help to promote a 'harmonized and consistent approach to arbitration'. This chapter discusses UNCITRAL's contribution to address the problem of concurrent proceedings in international arbitration