Arbitration Act Section 20 — Challenging an arbitrator

Section 19 requires arbitrators to be impartial and independent, to have the agreed qualifications and to disclose facts that could raise doubt; a party cannot challenge an arbitrator it appointed unless it neither knew nor should have known the ground when appointing. Under Section 20, unless the parties agree otherwise, the challenge is filed in writing with the tribunal within fifteen days of learning of the appointment or the Section 19 facts, and the tribunal may extend that period by up to fifteen days. If the challenge fails, or there is a sole arbitrator, the challenging party may apply to the court within thirty days of receiving notice of the decision, or from the date it learned of the appointment or the facts, as the case may be. The proceedings may continue while the court decides, unless the court orders otherwise.