24/07/2026
聯合國國際貿易法委員會（UNCITRAL）甫通過關於電子形式仲裁判斷及電子仲裁通知的《模範法》修訂案！
聯合國國際貿易法委員會（UNCITRAL）於2026年7月6日，通過了由第二工作組（爭議解決）所提出、涉及電子形式仲裁判斷和電子仲裁通知的數項文本，包括：
1. 《關於〈紐約公約〉就電子形式仲裁判斷解釋的建議書》，建議對1958年《紐約公約》的解釋「應當確保，對仲裁判斷不得僅因其採取電子形式而予以拒絕承認或執行」，體現了「非歧視原則」（principle of non-discrimination）。
2. 對《模範法》的修訂，主要包括：
(1) 第2條：增訂「『仲裁判斷』或『判斷』包括電子形式的判斷；『電子形式的判斷』是指以數據電文形式作出的判斷」，並就「數據電文」（data message）、「電子通信」（electronic communication）等用語在本條增訂定義性規定；
(2) 第3條：就書面通信「被視為已經收到」的情形，在原本規定的當面遞交、投遞到收件人地址之外，新增「或者以電子通信方式傳輸，這種電子通信提供向收件人專門為此目的指定的電子地址傳輸的記錄」；
(3) 第31條：新增「如果雙方當事人約定，或如果在沒有此種約定情况下雙方當事人均不反對，仲裁庭可以下達電子形式的判斷」；
(4) 第35條：新增「不得僅因仲裁判斷採用電子形式而拒絕承認或執行」。
3. 配合前述對《紐約公約》解釋的建議，以及對《模範法》的修訂，對《模範法》的《解釋說明》（Explanatory Note），以及2016年通過的《關於安排仲裁程序的說明》（Notes on Organizing Arbitral Proceedings）亦隨之修訂。
目前《模範法》的官方網站尚未公布本次修訂後的新版本，但從目前已公開的資訊可知，本次草案的通過反映了數位時代的需求與實務作法，值得關注後續對仲裁實務、爭議解決、仲裁判斷跨境執行的影響。
參考資料：
UNCITRAL第二工作組核准的案文草案可參《第二工作組（爭議解决）第八十三屆會議（2026年2月16日至20日，紐約）工作報告》附件：https://docs.un.org/en/A/CN.9/1237（英文版）、https://docs.un.org/zh/A/CN.9/1237（簡體中文版）
UNCITRAL第五十九屆會議議程：https://docs.un.org/en/A/CN.9/1235/Rev.1
聯合國2026年7月7日「UNCITRAL adopts key texts to facilitate use of arbitral awards and notices of arbitration in electronic form」新聞稿：https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2026/unisl399.html
#國際仲裁眾才國際
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has just adopted amendments to the Model Law concerning arbitral awards in electronic form and electronic notices of arbitration!
On 6 July 2026, the UNCITRAL adopted several texts prepared by Working Group II (Dispute Settlement) concerning arbitral awards in electronic form and electronic notices of arbitration, including:
1. Recommendation regarding the interpretation of the New York Convention with respect to arbitral awards in electronic form, which recommends that the New York Convention “be interpreted in a manner that an arbitral award is not refused recognition or enforcement on the sole ground that it is in electronic form,” reflecting the principle of non-discrimination.
2. Amendments to the Model Law, principally including:
(1) Article 2: New provisions are added to provide that “‘[a]rbitral award’ or ‘award’ includes an award in electronic form; an ‘award in electronic form’ means an award made by means of a data message” and to provide definitions of “data message” and “electronic communication.”
(2) Article 3: With respect to the circumstances in which a written communication “is deemed to have been received,” in addition to the existing provisions concerning delivery by hand or delivery to the addressee’s place of business, habitual residence or mailing address, a new method is added, namely “or transmitted by electronic communication that provides a record of transmission to an electronic address that is specifically designated for this purpose.”
(3) Article 31: A new provision is added stating that “[i]f the parties agree or, in the absence of such agreement neither party objects, the arbitral tribunal may make an award in electronic form.”
(4) Article 35: A new provision is added stating that “[a]n award shall not be refused recognition or enforcement solely on the ground that it is in electronic form.”
3. In conjunction with the above Recommendation regarding the interpretation of the New York Convention and the amendments to the Model Law, corresponding additions and amendments have also been made to the Explanatory Note to the Model Law and to the Notes on Organizing Arbitral Proceedings adopted in 2016.
The official UNCITRAL website has not yet published an updated version of the Model Law incorporating the aforementioned amendments. Nevertheless, based on the information currently available, the adoption of these draft texts reflects the needs of the digital era and prevailing arbitral practice, and their impact on arbitration practice, dispute resolution, and the cross-border recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards warrants close attention.
References:
The draft texts approved by UNCITRAL Working Group II are set out in the Annex to the Report of Working Group II (Dispute Settlement) on the work of its eighty-third session (New York, 16–20 February 2026): https://docs.un.org/en/A/CN.9/1237 (English); https://docs.un.org/zh/A/CN.9/1237 (Chinese)
Agenda of the fifty-ninth session of UNCITRAL: https://docs.un.org/en/A/CN.9/1235/Rev.1
United Nations press release (7 July 2026), “UNCITRAL adopts key texts to facilitate use of arbitral awards and notices of arbitration in electronic form:” https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2026/unisl399.html
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted key texts aimed at enhancing reliance on arbitral awards in electronic form and use of notices of arbitration in electronic form on 6 July.
