The Arbitration Act 1996 radically changed English arbitration law in a number of respects. The effects of those changes are still developing and are being reflected in decisions of the courts. This section by section commentary on the Act, which Lord Bingham described as "intensely practical and admirably user-friendly" when it was first published, has been updated in a fourth edition which features comments on more than 125 new cases decided since the last edition was written in May 2003. As a result of these cases, and some changes to subsidiary legislation, the commentary on a great majority of the sections of Part 1 of the Act (the crucial part for most practitioners) has been amended, sometimes substantially. The book continues to provide checklists of choices which those involved in arbitrations need to consider, together with drafting suggestions and model agreements. Written by three practising arbitrators, this new edition continues to provide the most readable and useful guide to the Act. It is an essential handbook for all who are concerned with English arbitration.