Tribunal Secretaries

Abstract This chapter explains why tribunal secretaries are needed in the arbitral process and how different stakeholders benefit from their appointment. It first considers the practical need for the participation of tribunal secretaries, noting that they serve to maintain the efficiency of the arbitral process despite increased complexity; ensure that in-demand arbitrators remain available to accept cases; and offer an important training ground for future generations of arbitrators. Limits to the need for tribunal secretaries are then discussed, along with the legal grounds on which their appointment may be based and the question of their legal status once they have been appointed. The chapter also provides an analogy to the legal bases for the appointment of judicial assistants in other fora and concludes with a review of arbitration laws, rules and guidelines as to the legal basis for a secretary's appointment.