Arbitration Act 2025

A vote to support means

• —Reduces court backlogs by directing commercial disputes away from the court system, freeing judicial resources for cases that require court authority and allowing faster resolution for parties involved
• —Lowers costs for businesses and individuals by enabling quicker decisions through streamlined procedures, potentially reducing legal fees and allowing parties to avoid lengthy court battles
• —Enhances the UK's reputation as a global hub for international commerce by aligning arbitration rules with international standards, making London and UK arbitration more attractive to foreign businesses and investors
• —Gives arbitrators clearer powers and duties, reducing uncertainty and potential grounds for challenging decisions, which increases confidence in the arbitration process for all parties

A vote to oppose means

• —Removes access to court oversight for ordinary citizens and small businesses who may lack resources to navigate arbitration fairly, potentially favouring larger, more experienced parties with legal teams
• —Reduces transparency and public accountability since arbitration hearings are private, meaning unfair practices or precedents cannot be scrutinised by the public or influence future case law in the public interest
• —May weaken consumer and worker protections if arbitration clauses in contracts prevent individuals from taking claims to court or collective action, particularly in employment and consumer rights disputes
• —Creates inconsistency in dispute resolution outcomes since arbitrators' decisions are largely final with limited appeal rights, whereas court decisions can be reviewed and contribute to consistent legal principles that protect everyone equally