California Arbitration (CalArb) is pleased to announce the adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law Amendments by the State of California. The Model Law serves as the global standard for international arbitration laws. The adoption of these updates to California’s International Arbitration Act, Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1297.11 et seq., demonstrates California’s continuing commitment to international arbitration.

California adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law in 1988, making it the first U.S. jurisdiction to do so. In U.S. jurisdictions that have adopted the  Model Law, it provides standard and best practices as a supplement to the Federal Arbitration Act.

Only a few U.S. states have adopted the Model Law, and California is one of only two U.S. states to have adopted the Amendments. As a result, California joins several leading international arbitral jurisdictions in offering the most modern, well-recognized, and widely accepted law governing international arbitration.

The new law was developed by a Working Group coordinated by the California Lawyers Association and CalArb. Many other California, US and international organizations joined in support of the bill. The bill, AB 1903, authored by California Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom on 15 July 2024.  The updated law will be effective January 1, 2025.

The updated law will significantly benefit California and the international arbitration community.