France is ready to introduce one of its biggest reforms in arbitration law since 2011. The government is looking forward to making its system more clear, modern and much better suited to international disputes. 

The most important part or at the core of the proposed changes is a new Arbitration Code. The changes have been proposed after a review by a working group created by the French Ministry of Justice. A report was submitted by the group in March 2025, under which 40 recommendations for the changes to the existing framework were made. 

The new Code also brings domestic and international arbitration rules much closer to each other. It would also throw some light on the role of French courts in arbitration proceedings. 

There are some practical issues within the proposals as well. For e.g., recognising the arbitral awards which are in an electronic form, allowing related proceedings to be brought together under certain circumstances and encouraging the procedures which are appropriate to the dispute. 

Some of these changes have already been brought to practice by France. A decree which was adopted in August 2026 brought certain amendments to the existing Code of Civil Procedure. Most of these changes will be applicable from 1 January 2027. 

These proposals can be considered as a valid proof that France is moving towards keeping its arbitration framework, practical, competitive, and suitable for modern days commercial disputes.