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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Briefings

São Tomé e Príncipe accedes to the international arbitration treaties

21 June 2013

In November of 2012 São Tomé e Príncipe deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of 1958, commonly known as the New York Convention. With its accession, São Tomé e Príncipe has become the 148th state party to the New York Convention. The New York Convention has entered into force for Sao Tome and Principe as per 18 February 2013.


The New York Convention is considered one of the most important instruments of international arbitration. The New York Convention applies to the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards made in the territory of a state other than the state where the recognition and enforcement is sought. This means that São Tomé e Príncipe's courts must now give effect to arbitration agreements and recognize and enforce awards made in other states, subject to specific limited exceptions listed in article V of the New York Convention. Foreign arbitral award can be enforced in São Tomé e Príncipe in accordance with domestic procedures. These are set out in the Civil Procedures Code of São Tomé e Príncipe.

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