Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular dispute commence on the date on which a request for that dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent.
§ 1297.211.Generally
Title 9.3. Arbitration and Conciliation of International Commercial Disputes · Chapter 5. Manner and Conduct of Arbitration · Article 4. Commencement of Arbitral Proceedings · Enacted 1988 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1297.211 sets the default rule that, unless the parties agree otherwise, arbitral proceedings for a particular dispute commence on the date the respondent receives the claimant's request to refer that dispute to arbitration.
Full Text of § 1297.211
Plain-English Summary
This section answers a question with real consequences beyond the arbitration itself: when does the case officially start? Unless the parties have agreed on a different rule, the arbitral proceedings for a given dispute commence on the date the respondent receives the request to submit that dispute to arbitration.
That commencement date can matter well beyond scheduling. It often marks the point that stops a limitations period from continuing to run, so pinning it to a specific, objectively verifiable event -- receipt of the arbitration request -- avoids uncertainty about whether a claim was brought in time. Parties who want a different trigger, such as the date the request is sent rather than received, remain free to agree to that instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does an arbitration officially begin under this section?
On the date the respondent receives the request to refer the dispute to arbitration, unless the parties have agreed otherwise.
Why does the commencement date matter beyond just scheduling the case?
It typically fixes the point that stops a statute of limitations from continuing to run against the claim.
Can the parties choose a different rule for when proceedings commence?
Yes -- this section's rule 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: commencement of arbitration proceedings californiastatute of limitations arbitration request received