Notwithstanding Section 1297.201, the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts, or the parties, or for inspection of documents, goods, or other property.
§ 1297.203.Meeting At Any Place Tribunal Considers Appropriate
Title 9.3. Arbitration and Conciliation of International Commercial Disputes · Chapter 5. Manner and Conduct of Arbitration · Article 3. Place of Arbitration · Enacted 1988 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1297.203 lets the arbitral tribunal meet anywhere it considers appropriate for consulting among its members, hearing witnesses, experts, or the parties, or inspecting documents, goods, or other property, regardless of the place of arbitration agreed or determined under Sections 1297.201 or 1297.202.
Full Text of § 1297.203
Plain-English Summary
This section separates the arbitration's formal seat from the practical business of running it. Even after a place of arbitration has been agreed or determined, the tribunal is not confined to that one location for everything it needs to do. It may meet anywhere it considers appropriate, notwithstanding Section 1297.201.
The section lists the kinds of activity this flexibility covers: the arbitrators consulting among themselves, hearing witnesses, experts, or the parties, or inspecting documents, goods, or other property connected to the dispute. That flexibility can matter a great deal -- letting the tribunal travel to view a disputed piece of property, or hold a hearing where the relevant witnesses and evidence are located, without disturbing the legal seat that governs the arbitration's procedural framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the tribunal have to hold every hearing at the agreed place of arbitration?
No -- it may meet at any place it considers appropriate for hearings, consultation, or inspections, regardless of the agreed or determined place of arbitration.
What kinds of activity does this flexibility cover?
Consultation among tribunal members, hearing witnesses, experts, or the parties, and inspecting documents, goods, or other property.
Can the parties take this flexibility away?
Yes -- the section applies unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 23, Sec. 1. Effective March 7, 1988.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: tribunal meeting location flexibility californiasite inspection arbitration hearing location