DIS adopts model clause to be used with ISDA Master Agreement

Effective January 2017, the German Institution of Arbitration (Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit, "DIS") has adopted a new model clause to be used with the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement ("DIS ISDA Model Clause"). The DIS ISDA Model Clause provides for use of the institutional rules of the DIS and Frankfurt, Germany as the seat of the arbitration. While the underlying substantive agreement is subject to English or New York law, the arbitration clause is governed by German law. The DIS ISDA Model Clause can be found here:

http://www.disarb.org/en/17/clause/isda-model-clause-for-dis-rules-frankfurt-main-seat-id35

Background

In 2013, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) published the 2013 ISDA Arbitration Guide (the "Guide"). The Guide's purpose was to provide guidance on the use of arbitration clauses with either the ISDA 2002 Master Agreeement or the ISDA 1992 Master Agreement. The Guide included a range of model clauses for a number of combinations of national and international arbitration institutions and arbitration seats for users to choose from.  However, the DIS was not among the institutions featured, nor was any German city. It had subsequently been suggested to include a model clause for Frankfurt, not least because of the economic size of Germany but also because Frankfurt is the largest financial centre in continental Europe and the seat of the ECB (see "Finanzbranche entdeckt Schiedsgerichte", Börsen-Zeitung, No. 201, October 2013).

In cooperation with ISDA, the DIS has now closed this gap. 

Outlook  

With the newly-adopted DIS ISDA Model Clause, financial parties – especially when doing business in Germany – can now choose arbitration in Germany under the auspices of the DIS. For banks with German customers, this is a big step forward: they can offer arbitration on 'home-turf' to customers who might otherwise be reluctant to agree to arbitration. For the DIS, this is another success in its continued bid to establish itself among the top arbitration institutions.

Dr Peter Werner, Senior Counsel at ISDA, commented: "We welcome the interest in ISDA model clauses expressed by German market participants and the dispute resolution community. ISDA is looking forward to including the new model clause as one of the additional appendices in the next edition of the ISDA Arbitration Guide."