§ 172.001.Scope of Chapter

The scope section, and it spends most of its length explaining how this chapter fits beside the general arbitration statute.

The subject is international commercial arbitration and conciliation, with both words defined later — international in Section 172.003 and commercial in Section 172.004.

Treaties come first. The chapter is subject to any agreement in force between the United States and another state or states.

That deference is unavoidable. Cross-border awards are enforced under international conventions, and a state statute operates underneath them.

The geographic limit is Texas. Except for two sections on staying court proceedings and interim orders, the chapter applies only to arbitration or conciliation in this state.

Other state law on arbitrability is preserved. The chapter does not affect another law under which a dispute may not be arbitrated, or may be arbitrated only under law other than this chapter.

The relationship to Chapter 171 is spelled out. This chapter supersedes Subchapters B and C of Chapter 171 for international commercial arbitration and conciliation.

Three things survive. Chapter 171’s Subchapter A, its Subchapter D, and Section 171.022 — the bar on enforcing an unconscionable agreement.

Keeping Subchapter D matters most in practice. The court procedures for applications, service, confirmation, vacatur and appeal continue to apply.

A closing subsection disclaims new business court jurisdiction, matching the same disclaimer in Section 171.002(d).