Arbitration clauses that actually hold up in Czech courts

Most arbitration clauses are copied from the last contract someone had. That is where the trouble starts: the seat is wrong, the rules do not exist under that name, and the language of the proceedings is left to the tribunal.

Name the institution correctly

VIAC, ICC and the Arbitration Court attached to the Czech Chamber of Commerce all have precise names. A clause pointing at the international arbitration court in Prague names nothing, and a Czech court will say so before it sends anybody to arbitration.

Seat, rules, language, number of arbitrators

Four decisions, one sentence each. Leaving the number of arbitrators open is the most expensive omission: a three-member tribunal on a CZK 3m claim costs more than the claim.

Consumer and employment matters

Arbitration clauses in consumer contracts are void, and employment disputes belong to the courts. A clause that tries to cover everything the company signs will be struck out where it matters most.

Our standard clause is four lines and fits into any commercial contract. We hand it over free on the first call.