Arbitration in Austria

Austria is one of the top arbitration venues worldwide. Traditionally, Austria has served as the place of arbitration for disputes between parties from Central and Eastern Europe. Today, users from all over the world agree on arbitration in Austria.

There are many reasons to opt for Austria as the place of arbitration:

  • Austria has adopted a modern and arbitration-friendly arbitration law fully in line with the UNCITRAL Model Law. Austrian courts are arbitration-friendly and accommodate the parties' needs (applicable law, language, arbitrators, etc.) without compromising essential procedural safeguards. Arbitration related state-court proceedings are limited to a single instance.

  • Austria is an esteemed venue for arbitrations administered by leading international dispute resolution service providers, including the ICC, the DIS and the LCIA.

  • The International Arbitral Centre of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (VIAC), one of the leading international arbitration institutions, offers high-level services tailored to the specific needs of users in both domestic and international disputes.

  • The Vienna Rules 2018 contain a modern set of rules that reflect international best practice standards. 

  • The Austrian legal framework and the Vienna Rules are well tried and well documented. Every year, the Austrian Yearbook on International Arbitration provides a collection of articles on international arbitration by leading practitioners and academics.

  • Austria benefits from a vibrant academic scene. The law faculties of all major universities, including the University of Vienna, University of Economics Vienna, University of Salzburg, University of Innsbruck, University of Graz, Johannes Kepler University Linz offer various programs on commercial arbitration and investment arbitration. Their faculties include prominent academics and renowned practitioners.

  • Under the auspices of the dean of the Law Faculty of the University of Vienna, the Austrian Arbitration Academy offers an intensive academic education program on arbitration for both, students and young practitioners.

  • Every year, on the occasion of the Vienna Arbitrations Days, participants from numerous jurisdictions around the globe meet for two days to discuss pertinent topics in international arbitration.

  • The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot brings together students from more than 330 universities world wide for a week of professional advancement and exchange with leading arbitration practitioners in Vienna.