Arbitrability

Term from Arbitration industry explained for recruiters

Arbitrability is a basic concept in dispute resolution that determines whether a particular dispute can be resolved through arbitration (a private way to settle disagreements outside of court) or must go through traditional courts. Think of it as a screening process that helps determine which cases can take the "arbitration route" and which must follow the "court route." This concept is important in both domestic and international disputes, where different countries might have different rules about what can be arbitrated.

Examples in Resumes

Assessed Arbitrability of complex commercial disputes in international cases

Advised clients on Arbitrability issues in employment and consumer contracts

Published research paper on Arbitrability requirements in different jurisdictions

Typical job title: "Arbitration Lawyers"

Also try searching for:

Dispute Resolution Lawyer International Arbitration Counsel Arbitration Specialist Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorney Commercial Arbitration Lawyer

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you determine whether a dispute is arbitrable under international law?

Expected Answer: A senior lawyer should discuss how they evaluate factors like the arbitration agreement's validity, the subject matter's suitability for arbitration, and relevant national laws and international treaties.

Q: What challenges have you faced with arbitrability in multi-jurisdictional disputes?

Expected Answer: Should explain practical experiences handling cases involving different countries' arbitration laws, and strategies for resolving conflicts between jurisdictions.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key differences between objective and subjective arbitrability?

Expected Answer: Should explain that objective arbitrability relates to whether the law allows certain types of disputes to be arbitrated, while subjective arbitrability concerns whether specific parties can enter into arbitration agreements.

Q: How do you explain arbitrability issues to clients?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to communicate complex legal concepts in simple terms and explain practical implications for clients' cases.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic requirements for a dispute to be arbitrable?

Expected Answer: Should mention the need for a valid arbitration agreement, legal capacity of parties, and that the subject matter must be one that law allows to be resolved through arbitration.

Q: What types of disputes are typically not arbitrable?

Expected Answer: Should identify common examples like certain criminal matters, family law issues, and other matters of public policy that must be decided by courts.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-3 years)

  • Basic understanding of arbitration agreements
  • Research on arbitrability requirements
  • Drafting simple arbitration clauses
  • Case law research

Mid (3-7 years)

  • Analysis of complex arbitration agreements
  • Handling domestic arbitrability issues
  • Client counseling on arbitration matters
  • Drafting detailed arbitration submissions

Senior (7+ years)

  • International arbitration expertise
  • Strategic dispute resolution planning
  • Complex multi-jurisdictional cases
  • Leading arbitration teams

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic arbitration principles
  • Lack of understanding of international arbitration frameworks
  • Poor grasp of different legal systems
  • No experience with arbitration agreements or clauses