How can an arbitration award be enforced like a court decision?

An arbitration award possesses the authority of a court decision and can be enforced through summary court action in accordance with the procedural law of the country where execution is sought.1

While arbitration is intended to settle disputes outside of court, the legal system remains the mechanism for final enforcement. Courts generally limit their intervention to specific matters, such as arbitrator misconduct or the denial of a fair hearing, rather than reviewing the arbitrator's findings of fact or application of the law. Recognition and enforcement may be denied if the award is found to be contrary to public policy.12

In international contexts, enforcement can be more complex, but international agreements often facilitate the process by shifting the burden of proof to the losing party, who must demonstrate that the award has been suspended or set aside by a competent authority.2