In March 2012, the Netherlands Ministry of Security and Justice announced plans to modernise Dutch arbitration law (see Legal update, Netherlands to modernise arbitration law). The consultation on the Bill to amend the current arbitration legislation ended on 1 June 2012.

It is anticipated that a draft of the new legislation will be submitted to parliament later in 2013 and the new act is expected to be in force by mid-2014. It is thought that the new legislation will include provisions governing the use of electronic resources and procedures to streamline the administrative process related to arbitration proceedings in the Netherlands (for more information, see Dutch government website).

In 2012, the NAI advised the Minister of Security and Justice on the draft proposal for amendment of the Arbitration Act (see Revision to arbitration legislation above). The NAI requested specific attention on the proposals regarding challenges to arbitrators, which could further improve the competitive position of The Netherlands as place of arbitration.

In 2013, the NAI will commence the adaption and amendment of its arbitration rules in line with the revised arbitration legislation. In that regard, the NAI plans to allow for e-arbitration in order to improve the efficiency of proceedings for the parties.