Common use of Form Requirements Clause in Contracts

Form Requirements. The form requirements for arbitration agreements in Article I(2)(a) of the European Convention differ considerably from those stipulated by Article II of the New York Convention. The definition in Article I(2)(a) of the European Conven- tion is divided in two parts, the first of which belongs to the European Conven- 169 170 171 172 352 Germany: BGH, IPRspr. 1970, No. 133, 455, 456 = II Y.B. Com. Arb. 237 (1977); Adolphsen, in: Mu¨nchKommZPO, annex to sect. 1061, NYC, Art. II para. 23; van den Berg, pp. 95 et seq.; Haas, in: Weigand (ed.), Part 3, Art. II para. 101; Haas, IPRax 1993, 382, 383; Hausmann, in: Reithmann/ Martiny (eds), para. 6749; Mallmann, SchiedsVZ 2004, 152, 155 et seq.; Wackenhuth, ZZP 99 (1986), 445, 450 et seq. 353 Germany: OLG Ko¨ln, IPRax 1993, 399, 400 = XXI Y.B. Com. Arb. 535, 537 para. 5 (1996); Moller, NZG 1999, 143, 145; Moller, NZG 2000, 57, 71; Gildeggen, p. 99. 354 Adolphsen, in: Mu¨nchKommZPO, annex to sect. 1061, European Convention, Art. I para. 9; Haas, in: Weigand (ed.), Part 3, Art. II para. 94; Hausmann, in: Reithmann/Martiny (eds), para. 6748; v. Hu¨lsen, pp. 32 et seq. Article II 172–175 tion’s uniform substantive law (para. 173). Its second part refers to less demanding requirements under the national laws of the States involved (paras 174 et seq.). 173 (1) Autonomous Form Requirement (Article I(2)(a) Option 1 of the European Convention). Article I(2)(a) option 1 of the European Convention closely matches the explicitly listed options under Article II(2) of the New York Convention so that reference can be made to paras 73 et seq. Communication by teleprinter is explicitly referenced; other means of transmission are covered by way of analogy (cf. para. 130).355 Oral or tacit acceptance of a written offer does not suffice (cf. paras 95, 98).356 An arbitration agreement in general terms and conditions can be included by general reference (cf. para. 138),357 which itself needs to be in writing (cf. para. 137).358 Written acceptance can be included in submissions made to courts or arbitral tribunals.359 Unlike Article II(2)’s “including” (para. 105), Article I(2)(a) of the European Conven- tion does not include permissive language that allows a non-exhaustive understanding of the provision’s “in writing” requirements. 174 (2) More Favorable Form Requirements Under National Laws (Article I(2)(a)