(a) The parties shall be free to agree on the language or languages to be used in the arbitral proceedings; provided, however, that failing such agreement, the arbitration tribunal shall determine the language or languages to be used in the proceedings. Such agreement or determination, unless otherwise specified therein, shall apply to any written statement by a party, any hearing, and any arbitration award, decision, or other communication by the arbitration tribunal.
§ 9-9-44.Languages to be used in arbitral proceedings; translation of documentary evidence
Chapter 9. Arbitration · Article 1. General Provisions · Last amended 2012 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceSection 9-9-44 lets parties agree on the language of the arbitration and has the tribunal choose one if they don’t, then extends that choice to every written statement, hearing, and award unless stated otherwise, while giving the tribunal power to order translations of documentary evidence.
Full Text of § 9-9-44
(b) The arbitration tribunal may order that any documentary evidence be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitration tribunal.
Plain-English Summary
International disputes cross language barriers as often as they cross borders, so the arbitration code addresses language directly. Parties get to agree on which language, or languages, the proceeding runs in. If they haven’t, the tribunal chooses for them.
Whatever language gets settled on — by agreement or tribunal decision — applies broadly by default. It covers written statements the parties file, hearings, and the tribunal’s award, decisions, and other communications, unless the parties or the tribunal have carved out an exception for a particular purpose.
Documentary evidence gets separate treatment. The tribunal can order that documents be accompanied by a translation into whatever language governs the proceeding, which matters in practice: a contract, invoice, or technical report drafted in a third language doesn’t need to be excluded, but the tribunal can require the parties to make it usable in the language everyone is working in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who chooses the language used in a Georgia international arbitration?
The parties choose by agreement first; if they don’t agree, the arbitration tribunal determines the language or languages to be used.
Does the chosen language apply to the final award, or just to hearings?
It applies broadly — unless specified otherwise, the agreed or determined language covers written statements, hearings, and any arbitration award, decision, or other communication from the tribunal.
Can the tribunal require documents to be translated?
Yes — the tribunal may order that documentary evidence be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon or determined for the proceeding.
Can the parties use more than one language in the same arbitration?
The text refers to “the language or languages,” so parties can agree on multiple languages for the proceeding rather than being limited to a single one.
What happens if the parties want a document to stay untranslated?
The default rule that the chosen language governs written statements, hearings, and communications applies “unless otherwise specified,” giving the parties or tribunal room to carve out exceptions for particular materials.
Amendment History
Code 1981, § 9-9-44, enacted by Ga. L. 2012, p. 961, § 1/SB 383.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, published by the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Georgia Code Revision Commission / LexisNexis. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: georgia arbitration language rulestranslation arbitration documents georgialanguage of arbitral proceedingsinternational arbitration language selection