ABSTRACT
Many arbitral institutions compile lists of potential arbitrators. While standards used in compiling such lists vary enormously, that an individual appears on one or more lists of prominent arbitral institutions can provide parties with some level of assurance that the individual has a reasonable understanding of arbitration. Arbitrators are private individuals who have been hired by the parties to decide their dispute, and the rights and obligations of an arbitrator are defined in what is known as the “arbitrator’s contract”. Many arbitration laws grant arbitrators immunity for acts taken in their role as arbitrator, although the extent of arbitral immunity varies from one jurisdiction to another. The more common approach to addressing the selection of arbitrators in an arbitration agreement is by specifying the method through which the members of the arbitral tribunal must be appointed, rather than by naming particular arbitrators.
