We have previously reported that the International Bar Association (IBA) is undertaking a review of its current Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration (see Legal updates, IBA issues revised draft of the rules on the taking of evidence and Looking ahead: anticipated developments in 2010: Arbitral institutions and rules). The IBA's Arbitration Committee has now completed its review and has submitted its final draft to the IBA Legal Practice Division and IBA Council for their approval. The final version will be published on the IBA website in due course.

The IBA Arbitration Committee has also launched a consultation on its draft new IBA Guidelines for Drafting International Arbitration Clauses. The guidelines, which were developed by a task force appointed by the Arbitration Committee, provide a succinct and accessible approach to drafting international arbitration clauses. Comments on the new guidelines should be made by 1 June 2010 to [email protected].

Finally, the IBA Conflicts Committee, a sub-committee of the IBA Arbitration Committee, has published a Report on the IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration, which summarises case law referring to these guidelines from 2004 to 2009. The report also covers feedback received by arbitral institutions and criticisms expressed by legal commentators on the guidelines.