229

BOOKS
Redfern & Hunter on International Arbitration – Fifth Edition
Edited by Nigel Blackaby, Constantine Partasides, Alan Redfern, and Martin Hunter
Oxford University Press, 2009; 904 pages; £135 (Hardback);
ISBN: 978-0-19-955718-9

The fifth edition of this book does not disappoint the expectation of readers who
have grown accustomed to the earlier editions of this book. The book maintains
the hallmarks of the fourth edition and maintains much of the high quality scholarly
research in the more problematic areas of practice of international arbitration.
The fifth edition has sought to update the chapters of the earlier edition
but it has also provided more focus on the growing field of investment treaty
arbitration. It has maintained its standard and has done its best to deal with
issues that the busy practitioner has to deal with on a daily basis.
The book is useful in providing a summary of pragmatic issues concerning
the duties and powers of a tribunal and how proceedings should be conducted.
In addition to dealing with the role of domestic courts, the book helpfully sums
up the issues dealing with the challenge and enforcement of commercial arbitral
awards. The new edition has taken on board increased coverage of the practice
of international arbitration in countries that include emerging markets like
China, India and Latin America. The book has also provided additional focus on
jurisprudence and arbitration practice from the United States.
The additional treatment on investment treaties is indeed a welcome addition
and makes the book especially suitable for students and new practitioners alike.
With the massive expansion in developments of both investment arbitration as
well as general commercial arbitration, specialist practitioners in either field
may find that the book tantalises their expectations but may not fully satisfy
some specialists in the field.
It has to be said that the fifth edition of Redfern and Hunter does continue
to serve its purpose well as a useful handbook for travelling practitioners
who are unable to bring about heavier books that are now available on the
market. The fifth edition continues to highlight the more important rules and
practice of international arbitration at major arbitration centres including the
International Chamber of Commerce, the London Court of International
Arbitration, the American Arbitration Association, ICSID and UNCITRAL.
All in all, this book remains useful and provides students and intermediate
lawyers with a clear and authoritative explanation of the law, practice and
various stages of the international arbitration process.

Dr Colin Ong
Barrister of Essex Court Chambers and of 3 Verulam Buildings