- China’s Arbitration Law has been comprehensively revised for the first time since 1994: the new law was passed on 12 September 2025, promulgated by Presidential Order No. 54, and takes effect on 1 March 2026 with eight chapters and 96 articles.
中国《仲裁法》迎来 1994 年以来首次全面修订：新法于 2025 年 9 月 12 日通过，以第 54 号主席令公布，自 2026 年 3 月 1 日起施行，共八章 96 条。- The revision introduces the “seat of arbitration” (仲裁地) concept aligned with international practice — the seat determines the law governing the arbitral procedure and the courts with supervisory jurisdiction, so foreign parties should now state it expressly in their clauses.
修订引入与国际接轨的”仲裁地”制度——仲裁地决定仲裁程序适用法及行使司法监督权的法院，外方当事人今后应在仲裁条款中明确约定。- A new “special (ad hoc) arbitration” regime lets parties in foreign-related maritime disputes, or between enterprises registered in a Free Trade Zone or the Hainan Free Trade Port, choose a tribunal outside any institution — a first for the mainland.
新增”特别仲裁”（临时仲裁）制度：涉外海事纠纷，或自贸试验区、海南自贸港内登记企业之间的涉外纠纷，当事人可在仲裁机构之外自组仲裁庭——系内地首创。- Foreign arbitration institutions may now set up business offices in FTZs and Hainan to conduct foreign-related arbitration, and Chinese institutions may handle international investment (treaty) arbitration.
境外仲裁机构今后可在自贸区、海南自贸港等区域设立业务机构办理涉外仲裁，中国仲裁机构亦可办理国际投资（条约）仲裁案件。- Online arbitration is expressly recognised — proceedings may be conducted over the internet unless a party objects — reflecting practice where 93 institutions handled online cases worth ¥300 billion in 2024.
在线仲裁获明文确认——除当事人明确不同意外，仲裁可通过信息网络在线进行——呼应 2024 年 93 家机构在线办案、标的额 3000 亿元的实践。- Court support is strengthened: parties can seek pre-arbitration property, conduct and evidence preservation, courts must handle preservation promptly, and the period to apply to set aside an award is cut from six months to three.
法院支持力度加大：当事人可申请仲裁前的财产、行为与证据保全，法院应及时处理保全，申请撤销裁决的期限由六个月缩短为三个月。- The law adds a good-faith principle and anti-sham-arbitration rules, an arbitrator disclosure system, and defines arbitration institutions as public-interest non-profit legal persons.
新法增设诚信原则与防范虚假仲裁规定、仲裁员信息披露制度，并明确仲裁机构为公益性非营利法人。
China’s Revised Arbitration Law (2026): what foreign parties and FIEs need to know | 中国修订《仲裁法》（2026 年施行）：外方当事人与外资企业须知
Overview
Arbitration is the default forum for cross-border commercial disputes: it is confidential, final in a single instance, and — thanks to the 1958 New York Convention — enforceable in over 170 jurisdictions. For a foreign-invested enterprise (FIE) or an overseas counterparty contracting with a Chinese business, the arbitration clause is often the single most important dispute-resolution decision in the contract.
On 12 September 2025 the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress passed a comprehensively revised Arbitration Law. It was promulgated by Presidential Order No. 54 and takes effect on 1 March 2026. This is the first full overhaul since the original 1994 statute (in force from 1995). The new law runs to eight chapters and 96 articles — 16 more than before — and is squarely aimed at raising the credibility and international competitiveness of Chinese arbitration. This article explains the changes that matter most to foreign parties. It is general information, not legal advice.
Why the revision, and how big it is
By August 2025 China had 285 arbitration commissions handling disputes involving parties from more than 100 countries and regions, across finance, e-commerce, construction, maritime and intellectual property. The 1994 law, however, predated modern practice: it did not recognise a “seat” of arbitration, permitted only institutional arbitration (no ad hoc tribunals), and said little about online hearings or interim relief. The revision closes those gaps and consciously converges with the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration.
Change 1 — the “seat of arbitration”
The headline reform for international users is the introduction of the seat (仲裁地). Except where the parties have agreed otherwise on the law applicable to the procedure, the seat now determines both the procedural law and the court that exercises supervisory jurisdiction (for interim measures, set-aside and the like). Where parties do not agree the seat, it is fixed by the agreed arbitration rules; if the rules are silent, the tribunal designates it by reference to the principle of convenient dispute resolution. Practical effect: foreign parties should state the seat expressly — e.g. “the seat of arbitration shall be Shanghai” — separately from the hearing venue, because the two are now distinct legal concepts.
Change 2 — special (ad hoc) arbitration
The mainland has, until now, recognised only institutional arbitration. The new law adds a “special arbitration” regime with four defining features:
- Eligible cases only. It is limited to foreign-related disputes — either foreign-related maritime disputes, or foreign-related disputes between enterprises registered in a State Council-approved Free Trade Zone, the Hainan Free Trade Port, or other areas designated by the State.
- Written agreement, seat in China. The parties must agree in writing and designate a place in China as the seat, so Chinese arbitration law applies, the award is a Chinese award, and Chinese courts conduct judicial review.
- Qualified arbitrators. The tribunal members must meet the statutory qualification requirements for arbitrators.
- Filing. Within three working days of forming the tribunal, the parties must file details (names, seat, tribunal composition, rules) with the arbitration association.
For FTZ and Hainan-registered FIEs, this opens a genuinely new option for disputes with foreign counterparties — closer to the flexibility of ad hoc arbitration abroad, but with defined guardrails.
Change 3 — opening to foreign institutions and investment arbitration
The law codifies two opening measures already piloted: it supports Chinese institutions “going out” to establish offices abroad, and permits overseas arbitration institutions to establish business offices in FTZs and the Hainan FTP to conduct foreign-related arbitration. It also confirms that Chinese institutions and tribunals may administer international investment arbitration under the relevant investment treaties and the rules agreed by the disputing parties — a foundation for China to position itself as a seat for investor-state cases.
Change 4 — online arbitration and stronger court support
Two further reforms speak directly to efficiency:
- Online arbitration. Article 11 provides that arbitration may be conducted online through information networks unless a party expressly disagrees. This reflects reality: in 2024, 93 institutions handled online cases worth ¥300 billion.
- Interim measures and evidence. The law aligns with the Civil Procedure Law so that, in urgent cases, a party may apply to a court for property preservation, conduct preservation (an order requiring or prohibiting an act) and evidence preservation before commencing arbitration. Courts must handle such applications promptly, whether relayed by the institution or filed directly. The tribunal may also request relevant parties to assist in collecting evidence.
Change 5 — credibility, disclosure and a shorter set-aside window
Several provisions raise trust in the process and speed up finality:
- Arbitration must follow the good-faith principle, with new rules against sham arbitration.
- Arbitrators must disclose any circumstances that could give rise to reasonable doubts about their independence or impartiality; the institution informs the parties.
- The methods for recognising an arbitration agreement are broadened (e.g. where one party asserts an agreement and the other does not deny it before the first hearing).
- The period to apply to set aside an award is shortened from six months to three months.
- Arbitration institutions are defined as public-interest, non-profit legal persons, with the State Council authorised to issue registration rules.
What this means for foreign investors and FIEs
- Review your arbitration clauses. State the institution (or, if eligible, ad hoc arbitration), the seat, the rules and the language. Distinguish seat from hearing venue.
- Consider ad hoc arbitration only if eligible — maritime, or FTZ/Hainan-registered enterprises in foreign-related disputes.
- Plan for interim relief. Pre-arbitration preservation is now clearer; identify assets and evidence early.
- Diarise the three-month set-aside window — challenges must move faster than before.
- Enforcement. Awards seated in China are Chinese awards; foreign awards continue to be recognised and enforced through the New York Convention and the Civil Procedure Law’s judicial-assistance provisions.
What to do next
- Audit existing China-related contracts and update dispute-resolution clauses ahead of the 1 March 2026 effective date.
- Decide seat and institution deliberately; do not leave the seat undefined.
- If you operate in an FTZ or Hainan, evaluate whether special arbitration suits your commercial relationships.
- Brief your legal and finance teams on the shorter set-aside period and the strengthened interim-measures toolkit.
- Confirm specifics with qualified PRC counsel before signing or amending clauses.
Sources
- Ministry of Justice press conference on the revised Arbitration Law (official): https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/sfbxwfbhzb/2025nsfbfbh/acf20250925/?CTPIC=ecc680
- MOJ briefing transcript — key changes and special arbitration explained: https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/sfbxwfbhzb/2025nsfbfbh/acf20250925/mtgz20250925/202509/t20250930_525844.html
- Supreme People’s Court International Commercial Court — Q&A on the revision (People’s Court Daily): https://cicc.court.gov.cn/html/1/218/149/156/12620.html
- China Court Net — commentary on the revised Arbitration Law: https://www.chinacourt.org/article/detail/2025/09/id/8991625.shtml
- MOJ feature — “Advancing high-quality development of arbitration” (on the law’s entry into force): http://legalinfo.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbzhfx/zt/2025nzt0120/xcgvxxddzcf/202603/t20260302_532106.html
Related reading
- CIETAC & international arbitration — 贸仲与涉外仲裁
- Enforcing foreign arbitral awards and judgments in China — 在中国承认与执行外国仲裁裁决和判决
- Foreign-related dispute resolution: litigation vs arbitration — 涉外争议解决：诉讼与仲裁
中国修订《仲裁法》（2026 年施行）：外方当事人与外资企业须知
概述
仲裁是跨境商事纠纷的首选解决方式：保密、一裁终局，并且凭借 1958 年《纽约公约》可在 170 多个法域获得承认与执行。对与中国企业签约的外资企业或境外交易对手而言，仲裁条款往往是合同中最重要的一项争议解决安排。
2025 年 9 月 12 日，十四届全国人大常委会表决通过全面修订的《仲裁法》，以第 54 号主席令公布，自 2026 年 3 月 1 日起施行。这是 1994 年原法（1995 年施行）以来的首次全面修订。新法共八章 96 条，比修订前增加 16 条，核心目标是提升中国仲裁的公信力与国际竞争力。本文说明对外方当事人最重要的变化，仅为一般性信息，非法律意见。
为什么修、改动有多大
截至 2025 年 8 月，全国依法设立 285 家仲裁委员会，当事人涉及 100 多个国家和地区，纠纷涵盖金融、电子商务、建筑工程、海事海商、知识产权等领域。但 1994 年的仲裁法落后于现代实践：不承认”仲裁地”，只允许机构仲裁（无临时仲裁庭），对在线开庭与临时措施着墨极少。此次修订弥补了这些空白，并有意与《联合国国际商事仲裁示范法》相融通。
变化一——”仲裁地”制度
对国际用户而言，最重磅的改革是引入”仲裁地”。除当事人对仲裁程序适用法另有约定外，仲裁地现同时决定程序适用法与行使司法监督权的法院（保全、撤销等）。当事人未约定仲裁地的，按约定的仲裁规则确定；规则没有规定的，由仲裁庭按便利争议解决原则确定。实务影响： 外方应在条款中明确约定仲裁地——例如”仲裁地为上海”——并与开庭地相区分，因为二者现已是不同的法律概念。
变化二——特别仲裁（临时仲裁）
内地此前只承认机构仲裁。新法增设”特别仲裁”制度，有四个特征：
- 仅限特定案件。 限于涉外纠纷——涉外海事纠纷，或在国务院批准设立的自贸试验区、海南自贸港及国家规定的其他区域内登记的企业之间发生的涉外纠纷。
- 书面约定、仲裁地在中国。 当事人须书面约定并选择中国境内地点为仲裁地，从而适用中国仲裁法、裁决为中国裁决、由中国法院进行司法审查。
- 仲裁员合格。 仲裁庭成员须符合仲裁法关于仲裁员资格的统一要求。
- 备案。 组庭后三个工作日内，须将当事人名称、仲裁地、仲裁庭组成、仲裁规则向仲裁协会备案。
对自贸区和海南登记的外资企业，这为与外方对手的纠纷开辟了全新选项——更接近境外临时仲裁的灵活度，又设有明确边界。
变化三——向境外机构与投资仲裁开放
新法将两项试点措施法制化：支持中国仲裁机构”走出去”到境外设立业务机构，允许境外仲裁机构在自贸区、海南自贸港等区域设立业务机构办理涉外仲裁。同时明确，中国仲裁机构、仲裁庭可依据有关投资条约、协定并按争议双方约定的仲裁规则办理国际投资仲裁案件——为中国打造投资者—国家案件仲裁地奠定基础。
变化四——在线仲裁与更强的法院支持
另有两项改革直指效率：
- 在线仲裁。 第十一条规定，除当事人明确表示不同意外，仲裁活动可通过信息网络在线进行。这呼应现实：2024 年 93 家机构办理在线案件，标的额 3000 亿元。
- 临时措施与证据。 新法与《民事诉讼法》衔接：情况紧急时，当事人可在申请仲裁前向法院申请财产保全、行为保全（责令作出或禁止某行为）与证据保全。无论由机构转交还是当事人直接提交，法院都应及时处理。仲裁庭亦可请求有关方面协助收集证据。
变化五——公信力、披露与更短的撤销期限
多项条款提升过程可信度并加快终局：
- 仲裁应遵循诚信原则，增设防范虚假仲裁规定。
- 仲裁员须披露可能导致对其独立性、公正性产生合理怀疑的情形，由机构告知当事人。
- 扩大仲裁协议的认定方式（如一方主张有协议、另一方在首次开庭前不予否认的）。
- 申请撤销裁决的期限由六个月缩短为三个月。
- 明确仲裁机构为公益性非营利法人，授权国务院制定登记管理办法。
对外资投资者与外资企业的意义
- 审查你的仲裁条款。 明确机构（或在符合条件时选择临时仲裁）、仲裁地、规则和语言，并区分仲裁地与开庭地。
- 仅在符合条件时考虑临时仲裁——涉外海事，或自贸区/海南登记企业的涉外纠纷。
- 提前谋划临时救济。 仲裁前保全更清晰，尽早锁定资产与证据。
- 牢记三个月撤销窗口——异议须比以往更快启动。
- 执行。 仲裁地在中国的裁决为中国裁决；外国裁决继续通过《纽约公约》与《民事诉讼法》司法协助条款获得承认与执行。
下一步建议
- 在 2026 年 3 月 1 日生效前，梳理现有涉华合同并更新争议解决条款；
- 审慎确定仲裁地与机构，切勿让仲裁地处于未约定状态；
- 若在自贸区或海南经营，评估特别仲裁是否契合你的商业关系；
- 就更短的撤销期限与增强的保全工具，向法务与财务团队做说明；
- 签署或修订条款前，与执业中国律师确认具体事项。
Sources
- 司法部关于新修订仲裁法的新闻发布会（官方）：https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/sfbxwfbhzb/2025nsfbfbh/acf20250925/?CTPIC=ecc680
- 司法部发布会实录——主要修改与特别仲裁制度解读：https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/sfbxwfbhzb/2025nsfbfbh/acf20250925/mtgz20250925/202509/t20250930_525844.html
- 最高人民法院国际商事法庭——仲裁法修订答记者问（人民法院报）：https://cicc.court.gov.cn/html/1/218/149/156/12620.html
- 中国法院网——新修订仲裁法评论：https://www.chinacourt.org/article/detail/2025/09/id/8991625.shtml
- 司法部专题——《推进新时代仲裁事业高质量发展》（写在实施之际）：http://legalinfo.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbzhfx/zt/2025nzt0120/xcgvxxddzcf/202603/t20260302_532106.html
相关阅读
- 贸仲与涉外仲裁 / CIETAC & international arbitration
- 在中国承认与执行外国仲裁裁决和判决 / Enforcing foreign arbitral awards and judgments
- 涉外争议解决：诉讼与仲裁 / Foreign-related dispute resolution