Since 1st January 1989 Switzerland has a new International Arbitration Act, in the form of Chapter Twelve of the Federal Statute on Private International Law (PILS). In the German version of the "Basler Kommentar" on the PILS published in 1996, experienced Swiss arbitration practitioners gave a detailed commentary of the provisions on international arbitration. This commentary is now available in an English translation based on drafts by Stephen V. Berti. The book contains a comprehensive, updated introduction to international arbitration by Marc Blessing, followed by: the commentary of articles 176 - 194 PILS by Felix R. Ehrat (article 176); Robert Briner (article 177); Werner Wenger (articles 178 and 186); Wolfgang Peter and Thomas Legler (article 179); Wolfgang Peter and Caroline Freymond (article 180); Nedim Peter Vogt (article 181); Michael E. Schneider (articles 182 and 184); Stephen V. Berti (articles 183, 185 and 193); Pierre A. Karrer (article 187); Markus Wirth (articles 188 and 189); Stephen V. Berti and Anton K. Schnyder (articles 190 and 191); and Paolo Michele Patocchi and Cesare Jermini (articles 192 and 194). The work provides an in-depth analysis of the provisions of the Swiss International Arbitration Act, and explains how they became law and how they have been interpreted in practice during the first few years since they came into force.

Private Law in the International Arena contains fifty-seven original contributions authored by renowned lawyers from all over the World. It analyzes a wide variety of effects that cross-border activities have on the operation of private law, ranging from corporate and insolvency law to labor law, property law, the law of obligations, family law, European law and lex mercatoria. Civil procedure aspects, in national courts and arbitration proceedings, are also explored. This book provides a unique source of insights into the problems encountered and their possible solutions. It will be of interest to scholars and practitioners alike. All contributions have been written in honor of an eminent Private International Law scholar, Prof. Dr. Kurt Siehr of the University of Zurich.