Arbitration & mediation
How to address interim measures and security for costs requests in arbitration to protect party interests pending final award enforcement.
In arbitration, securing interim measures and costs orders swiftly protects a party’s interests, preserving assets, preventing irreparable harm, and maintaining procedural balance while the final award remains pending and enforceable.
July 16, 2025 - 3 min Read
In arbitration, interim measures serve as essential tools to prevent irreparable harm while the dispute proceeds toward a final decision. Parties may seek provisional relief such as preservation of assets, maintenance of status quo, or urgent injunctive relief to stop ongoing misconduct. Courts and tribunals increasingly recognize the need for flexible, timely responses that reflect the specialized nature of arbitration. Drafting precise requests, demonstrating urgency, and identifying concrete preservation measures helps the tribunal assess risk and proportionality. Practitioners should tailor arguments to the governing law, the arbitration clause, and the chosen seat, ensuring that emergency relief aligns with due process standards.
When pursuing interim relief, eligibility criteria typically require showing a real risk of harm, a prima facie case on the merits, and a balance of convenience favoring preservation. The party seeking relief should articulate the specific assets or rights at stake, the timeframe within which harm would materialize, and how the relief would not unduly prejudice the opposing party. Complementary affidavits, documentary evidence, and expert opinions can strengthen the request. Tribunals may grant expedited hearings, or issue provisional orders with short durations. Clarity about the scope and duration of the relief helps prevent ambiguity and reduces the likelihood of future disputes about enforcement or modification.
Clear standards, careful evidence, and proportional measures guide assessments.
Security for costs procedures address the possibility that a claimant may become unable to meet an award’s costs. A successful defense may require a party to post security up front, ensuring that adverse costs exposure is mitigated if the claimant loses. Courts and arbitral institutions assess the applicant’s financial position, the substance of the claim, and the risk of non-payment. The procedure often involves substantive submissions detailing assets, funding arrangements, and the likelihood of recovery. Counsel should be prepared to explain how security would preserve fairness without depriving a party of meaningful access to arbitration. Transparent criteria promote predictability and deter frivolous applications.
Arbitral tribunals balance the interests of efficiency, fairness, and enforceability when considering security for costs. A respondent seeking security must demonstrate genuine concern about collection risk, often supported by financial statements, bank liquidity analyses, and evidence of potential prejudice. The claimant can respond by offering alternatives such as phased security, reduced sums, or escrow arrangements. The decision to grant security is rarely punitive; it aims to shield the process from future financial disruption. Both sides benefit from predictable procedural steps, precise calculations, and reasonable timelines for posting security, while preserving the possibility of a robust defense or counterclaims.
Remedies must remain proportional and mindful of due process rights.
Arbitration practice increasingly expects parties to preempt disputes over interim measures by presenting well-structured applications. A concise pleadings package, including a summary of emergency relief grounds, a proposed form of order, and a chain of authority, speeds consideration. Legal teams should tailor submissions to the arbitral rules and the seat, recognizing that different forums impose distinct thresholds for urgency. Demonstrating the likely success on the merits, alongside irreparable harm, strengthens a request. While urgency is important, Tribunals also value procedural fairness, allowing the respondent an opportunity to respond and present countervailing evidence before a decision is rendered.
Security for costs requests should be supported by a careful financial inquiry. Applicants need to present a plausible risk of non-payment and show how the lack of security would undermine the arbitration. Defensive arguments may emphasize proportionality, the claimant’s ability to advance the case, and the possibility of alternative funding arrangements. Courts often scrutinize the balance between safeguarding the process and preserving access to arbitration for genuine claimants. Proponents should propose practical security mechanisms, such as stepped deposits or letters of credit, to minimize disruption and maintain momentum in the proceedings.
Foreseeable contingencies mandate flexible, well-drafted orders.
Interim measures extend beyond money and can include asset preservation, injunctive orders, and orders clarifying the conduct of the parties. These tools help maintain the viability of a potential award and deter actions that could render enforcement difficult. A well-crafted interim order should specify the scope, duration, and conditions under which it operates, including any reporting or verification obligations. Tribunals should consider the potential impact on third parties, contractual obligations, and public policy considerations. The overarching aim is to sustain the status quo long enough to enable a fair and efficient arbitration.
Enforcement considerations loom large when interim measures are in play. An award winner might face obstacles if assets have shifted or are encumbered. Consequently, tribunals often require post-award compliance mechanisms, such as ongoing reporting, notification requirements, or the appointment of guardians or conservators in complex cases. Clear linkage between the interim relief and the anticipated final award reduces disputes about later modification. Practitioners should design orders that remain adaptable to evolving facts, while providing enough certainty to support timely execution if the claim succeeds.
Balance, transparency, and proportionality guide every intervention.
Lessons from experience suggest early, collaborative planning improves outcomes for interim measures. Parties that engage in pre-hearing exchanges, joint requests, or streamlined procedures can avoid protracted fights over relief. Proactive case management helps identify preferred remedies, anticipated evidentiary gaps, and viable settlement angles. When negotiations fail, a well-supported application based on documented harm, legal grounds, and proportional relief is more likely to succeed. Tribunals benefit from parties presenting consistent positions, minimizing surprises during hearings. The aim is to preserve fairness, reduce cost, and expedite resolution while protecting rights and assets.
A thoughtful approach to security for costs requires attention to funding realities and access to justice. Arbitrators should ensure that the mechanism chosen does not shut out legitimate claimants because of financial barriers. Where appropriate, courts may permit security in a staged or partial form, allowing ongoing participation without imposing prohibitive costs. Advanced planning includes identifying potential sources of funding, such as third-party funders, insurers, or internal corporate reserves. In turn, respondents can strike a balance by proposing flexible schedules or caps that reflect the case’s scope and risk profile.
In evaluating interim measures, tribunals rely on a careful synthesis of legal standards, factual evidence, and procedural fairness. They assess not only the risk of irreparable harm but also the potential impact on the final award’s enforceability. The tribunal’s analysis should be transparent, with reasons published or communicated to both sides. Effective orders delineate precise triggers for modification or termination, avoiding ambiguity and reducing later disputes. Parties should monitor compliance rigorously, report promptly on material developments, and seek clarifications promptly if circumstances change. A disciplined approach promotes confidence in the arbitration process.
Ultimately, interim measures and security for costs are about safeguarding the integrity of arbitration. They enable good-faith access to justice while preventing strategic misuse that could derail proceedings. Proportional relief, timely decision-making, and clear conditions foster predictability and enforceability. By aligning relief with the underlying merits and the realities of enforcement, tribunals can preserve fairness and efficiency across diverse disputes. Counsel should keep the bigger objective in view: a resolute, credible process that supports a just outcome and a durable, executable award.
