Model Response to Request for Arbitration under the LCIA Rules
Updated 5 August 2026
This template provides a structured format for a respondent to file a formal response to a Request for Arbitration under the LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration) Rules. It includes sections for addressing jurisdiction, the factual nature of the dispute, arbitrator nominations, and any potential counterclaims or cross-claims.
ARBITRATION NO. [insert case number as provided by the registrar of the lcia court]
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION UNDER ARBITRATION RULES OF LONDON COURT OF
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
BETWEEN:
[name of claimant]
(CLAIMANT)
-AND-
[name of respondent]
(RESPONDENT)
RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION
[respondent’s legal representative’s law firm]
[respondent’s legal representatives’ postal address]
[respondent’s legal representatives’ telephone number]
[respondent’s legal representatives’ facsimile number]
[respondent’s legal representatives’ e-mail]
Legal Representative for Respondent [date of the response]
I. INTRODUCTION
1. This Response to Claimant’s Request for Arbitration (hereinafter the “Response”), OPTIONAL: together with its Exhibits numbered R-1 to R-[•], is submitted on behalf of [name of respondent] (hereinafter “Respondent”) pursuant to Article 2 of Arbitration Rules of London Court of International Arbitration in force as from 1 October 2014 (the “LCIA Rules”).
2. In this Response, unless otherwise stated, Respondent adopts the abbreviations used in Claimant’s Request for Arbitration.
3. Unless otherwise stated, capitalised terms shall have the meanings given to them in the Request.
4. Unless expressly admitted, each paragraph of the Request and all of the claims advanced by the Claimant in the Request are denied by Respondent.
5. Pursuant to Article 2 of LCIA Rules, this Response contains information concerning the following:
i. The name, description and contact information of each of the Parties (II);
ii. Respondent’s comments as to the Arbitral Tribunal’s jurisdiction (III);
iii. Respondent’s position as regards the nature and circumstances of the dispute (IV);
iv. Respondent’s comments concerning the composition of the Arbitral Tribunal (V);
v. Respondent’s comments as to the place of arbitration, the applicable rules of law and the language(s) of the arbitration (VI);
vi. Respondent’s counterclaims and/or cross claims (VII);
vii. Relief sought (VIII); and
viii. Confirmation of the delivery of the Response to all other parties (IX)
II. THE PARTIES
A. Respondent
6. Respondent is [Name of respondent], a company registered under the laws of [Name of country or jurisdiction], with its registered office located at [Complete postal address].
Insert brief description of Respondent’s business activity, industry sector, size of business, number of employees, market position, revenue, etc., as relevant.
7. Respondent’s postal address is:
[Respondent’s name]
[Respondent’s postal address in full]
[Attention: name of Respondent’s director]
[Respondent’s telephone number]
[Respondent’s facsimile number]
[Respondent’s e-mail]
8. Respondent’s legal representatives, to whom all correspondence should be sent in this arbitration, are:
NOTE: Article 2.1(i) LCIA Rules
[respondent’s legal representatives’ law firm]
[Name of the partner in charge of representing Respondent]
[Names of other lawyers]
[Respondent’s legal representatives’ postal address]
[Respondent’s legal representatives’ telephone number]
[Respondent’s legal representatives’ facsimile number]
[Respondent’s legal representatives’ e-mail]
B. Claimant
9. Claimant is [Name of Claimant], a company registered under the laws of [Name of country or jurisdiction], with its registered office located at [Complete postal address].
Insert brief description of Claimant’s business activity, industry sector, size of business, number of employees, market position, revenue, etc., as relevant.
III. RESPONDENT’S COMMENTS AS TO THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL’S JURISDICTION [NOTE: ARTICLE 2.1(II) LCIA RULES]
10. [NOTE if jurisdiction is contested] [Arguments] As a result, an Arbitral Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to hear any dispute between Claimant and [name of Respondent] or any complaints which Claimant purports to have in relation to [name of Respondent].
IV. THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DISPUTE
NOTE: ARTICLE 2.1(II AND III) LCIA RULES
(a) Factual Background
11.
Explain factual background of the dispute from Respondent’s perspective, in the event that Respondent does not fully confirm the claims advanced by Claimant
(b) The Parties’ Respective Legal Obligations
12.
Cite and explain relevant contractual or legal provisions
V. RESPONDENT’S COMMENTS CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL
NOTE: ARTICLE 2.1(IV) AND (V) LCIA RULES
13. In its Request for Arbitration, Claimant nominated [name of arbitrator] as [Co- Arbitrator / Sole Arbitrator], whose contact information is:
[Arbitrator’s name]
[Arbitrator’s postal address in full]
[Arbitrator’s telephone number]
[Arbitrator’s facsimile number]
[Arbitrator’s e-mail]
14. Respondent contests the nomination of [name of arbitrator] on the grounds that [arguments].
[NOTE: if Respondent contests the Arbitrator nominated by Claimant
15. Respondent nominates [name of arbitrator] to serve as [Co- Arbitrator / Sole Arbitrator], whose details are the following:
[Arbitrator’s name]
[Arbitrator’s postal address in full]
[Arbitrator’s telephone number]
[Arbitrator’s facsimile number]
[Arbitrator’s e-mail]
NOTE: ability of Respondent to appoint arbitrator depends on the terms of the arbitration agreement
16.
NOTE: ability of Respondent to comment on the number of arbitrators, their qualifications and identities
VI. RESPONDENT’S COMMENTS AS TO THE PLACE OF ARBITRATION, THE APPLICABLE RULES OF LAW AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE ARBITRATION
NOTE: ARTICLE 2.1(IV) LCIA RULES
NOTE: ability of Respondent to comment on any procedural matter upon which the parties have agreed in writing or in respect of which the Respondent makes any proposal
(a) The Arbitral Seat
17.
Insert Respondent’s comments as to the place of arbitration. Respondent may confirm the statement made by Claimant in the Request. In case of non- confirmation, Respondent should state its choice and reasons.
(b) Governing Law
18.
Insert Respondent’s comments as to the governing law. Respondent may confirm the statement made by Claimant in the Request. In case of non-confirmation, Respondent should state its choice and reasons.
(c) The Language(s) of Arbitration
19.
Insert Respondent’s comments as to the language(s) of the arbitration. Respondent may confirm the statement made by Claimant in the Request. In case of non- confirmation, Respondent should state its choice and reasons.
20.
OPTIONAL: Respondent may make a response to any other procedural matter upon which the parties have already agreed in writing or in respect of which the Respondent makes any proposal under the Arbitration Agreement
VII. [OPTIONAL] RESPONDENT’S DEFENCE AND COUNTERCLAIMS [AND/OR CROSS CLAIMS]
NOTE: ARTICLE 2.1(III) LCIA RULES
(a) Respondent’s defence to Claimant’s claims in the Request
(b) Factual Background to Counterclaims [and/or cross claims]
21.
[Explain Claimant’s conduct which gives rise to the counterclaims and/or cross- claim.]
(c) Claimant’s Violations of Its Legal Obligations
22.
Explain basis of Claimant’s or any other party’s liability
(d) Respondent Has Suffered Losses of [amount] for Which Claimant Is Liable
23.
Provide preliminary estimate of Respondent’s losses
VIII. RELIEF SOUGHT
24. Respondent rejects Claimant’s claims as set out in its Request and rejects the relief sought in its Request.
25. Respondent respectfully requests the Arbitral Tribunal to:
i. dismiss all Claimant’s claims on the ground of an Arbitral Tribunal’s lack of jurisdiction with respect to a dispute between Claimant and [Respondent’s name].
NOTE in the event that Respondent contests jurisdiction
ii. Dismiss Claimant’s claim in their entirety;
iii. declare that Claimant has violated its obligations under [contract / other basis for liability];
NOTE if there are counterclaims
iv. order Claimant to compensate Respondent for the damages and losses suffered as a result of Claimant’s conduct, currently estimated to be in the amount of [insert estimation of damages suffered by Respondent];
NOTE: Article 2.1(iii) LCIA RULES
NOTE if there are counterclaims
v. declare that any other party has violated its obligations under [contract / other basis for liability];
NOTE if there are cross-claims
vi. order any other party to compensate Respondent for the damages and losses suffered as a result of any other party’s conduct, currently estimated to be in the amount of [insert estimation of damages suffered by Respondent];
NOTE: Article 2.1(iii) LCIA RULES
NOTE if there are cross-claims
vii. order Claimant [or Claimant and/or any other party] to pay all arbitration costs, including Respondent’s legal representative’s costs and expenses; and
viii. order Claimant [or Claimant and/or any other party] to pay the interest rate of [insert the interest rate that is arguably applicable] on all of the amounts as of the date these amounts were due, until the date of their effective payment.
ix. order any further and/or additional relief as the Tribunal may deem appropriate.
26. Respondent reserves its right to further develop its arguments and the amount of relief it is seeking.
IX. CONFIRMATION OF DELIVERY OF THE RESPONSE TO ALL OTHER PARTIES
27. Pursuant to Article 2.1(vi) of the LCIA Rules, Claimant is delivering copies of the Response (including all accompanying documents) to all other parties to the arbitration.
NOTE: delivery must be supported then or as soon as possible thereafter by documentary proof of actual delivery (including date of delivery) or, if actual delivery is demonstrated to be impossible, sufficient information as to any other effective form of notification. Article 2.1 (vi) of the LCIA Rules
NOTE: The Response and all accompanying documents may be submitted to the Registrar in electronic form (as email attachments) or in paper form or in both forms. If in paper form, the Response shall be submitted in two copies where a sole arbitrator is to be appointed or in four copies if three arbitrators are to be appointed. Article 2.2 of the LCIA Rules
Respectfully submitted,
[Signature of Respondent’s legal representative]
[Name of lawyer representing Respondent]
[legal representative for respondent]
[Respondent’s legal representatives’ postal address]
[Respondent’s legal representatives’ telephone]
[Respondent’s legal representatives’ facsimile number]
[Respondent’s legal representative’s e-mail]
[Date of the Response]
[OPTIONAL] Exhibits submitted with the Response to the Request for Arbitration [and counterclaim(s)]
Exhibit | Exhibit number | |
1. | [•] | R-1 |
About this template
What is this template?
Model Response to Request for Arbitration under the LCIA Rules is a free, ready-to-use Arbitration template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Arbitration template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. This version is drafted with England & Wales in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Arbitration usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.