Arbitration clauses contained in international commercial contracts – those involving parties domiciled in different countries and dealing with the cross-border supply and distribution of goods or services – are afforded more liberal construction by U.S. courts.  Thanks to a United Nations Convention adopted by 144 countries, disputes arising out of or related to an international commercial contract containing a properly-drafted arbitration clause are highly likely to be arbitrated in the place specified in that clause, notwithstanding the creative legal maneuvers of an unwilling party.  Surprisingly, the same cannot always be said of arbitration clauses in domestic commercial contracts.

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