RulesofCivilProcedure.com Civil Procedure · Every State

§ 1297.321.Generally; Award Final Upon Expiration of Applicable Periods

Title 9.3. Arbitration and Conciliation of International Commercial Disputes · Chapter 6. Making of Arbitral Award and Termination of Proceedings · Article 5. Termination of Proceedings · Enacted 1988 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026

In one sentenceSection 1297.321 provides that international arbitral proceedings end with the final award or with a termination order under Section 1297.322, and that the award becomes final once the correction, interpretation, and additional-award deadlines in Article 6 have run.

Full Text of § 1297.321

Text size

The arbitral proceedings are terminated by the final arbitral award or by an order of the arbitral tribunal under Section 1297.322. The award shall be final upon the expiration of the applicable periods in Article 6 (commencing with Section 1297.331) of this chapter.

Plain-English Summary

Every arbitration has to end somewhere, and this section marks the finish line. The proceedings terminate in one of two ways: the tribunal issues its final arbitral award, or the tribunal issues an order terminating the case under Section 1297.322 without ever reaching a final award on the merits.

The section also answers a question that matters to anyone trying to enforce or challenge an award: when does it become final? Not the moment it's signed. The award reaches finality only after the periods set out in Article 6 -- the windows for requesting a correction, an interpretation, or an additional award -- have expired. Until then, the award remains open to the narrow post-award fixes that follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does an international arbitration under this title come to an end?

Either the tribunal issues its final arbitral award, or the tribunal issues an order terminating the proceedings under Section 1297.322.

When does the arbitral award become final?

Once the periods in Article 6 for requesting a correction, an interpretation, or an additional award have expired.

Can an award still be changed after it's issued?

Yes, but only through the narrow correction, interpretation, and additional-award procedures in Article 6, and only within their deadlines.

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: when is arbitral award final californiatermination of international arbitration proceedings