Participants in international arbitration have long attached considerable importance to the right of a party to appoint its own arbitrator. This right is no longer as unfettered as it once was, as arbitral institutions have broadened the bases on which arbitrators may be denied appointment for perceived or real conflicts of interest.
Today, with what seems to be the increasing complexity of international arbitration proceedings, and concomitant concern on the part of users as to the efficiency of arbitration as a means of dispute resolution, it may be appropriate for questions to be raised as to the role of party-appointed arbitrators in the efficient operation of arbitral tribunals.
