§ 172.171.Role of Court

The rule that defines the relationship between courts and international arbitration in Texas.

Non-intervention is the default. A court may not intervene in a matter governed by this chapter.

Two exceptions are named — as provided by this chapter, and as provided by federal law.

The chapter’s own openings are few and specific. Appointing arbitrators, deciding a challenge, deciding a termination, reviewing a preliminary jurisdiction ruling, assisting with evidence, consolidating arbitrations, staying court proceedings and granting interim measures.

Each of those is support rather than supervision. None of them lets a court review how the tribunal decided the dispute.

The federal exception is unavoidable. International awards are enforced under conventions implemented by federal statute, and a state rule could not shut that out.

Chapter 171’s Subchapter D is preserved by Section 172.001(d), so confirmation, vacatur and modification remain available as that subchapter provides.

Predictability is the point. Parties choosing a seat want to know what the local courts can do to their arbitration, and this section answers in one sentence.

Several court decisions under this chapter are unappealable by design — appointment, challenge, termination and preliminary jurisdiction — which carries the same policy further.