AIFC International Arbitration Centre (IAC)

The IAC provides institutional arbitration within the AIFC framework — English law proceedings, international arbitrators, confidential process. Awards are enforceable under the New York Convention. Bond Stone advises on IAC arbitration clauses and represents clients in IAC proceedings. The IAC is the preferred forum for disputes involving AIFC-registered entities and contracts governed by AIFC law. Bond Stone holds right of audience before the AIFC Court for enforcement of IAC awards.

ISTAC — Istanbul Arbitration Centre

Bond Stone has active ISTAC mandates for cross-border trade disputes involving Kazakhstani and Turkish counterparties. ISTAC is a cost-effective institutional forum for Central Asia-Turkey commercial disputes, with a developed practice in goods supply, manufacturing, and construction contracts. Awards are enforceable in Kazakhstan under the New York Convention. Bond Stone advises on ISTAC clause drafting, parallel Turkish enforcement tracks (Turkish enforcement proceedings), and multi-jurisdiction strategy.

ICC — International Chamber of Commerce

ICC arbitration is widely used for major commercial disputes involving Kazakhstan — particularly in energy, mining, infrastructure, and M&A contexts. ICC Rules provide for a Terms of Reference stage and scrutiny of awards, providing additional procedural discipline. Bond Stone advises on ICC arbitration strategy, arbitrator selection, and Kazakhstan-side enforcement of ICC awards.

LCIA — London Court of International Arbitration

LCIA arbitration under English law is frequently elected in international financing agreements, shareholder agreements, and cross-border M&A transactions involving Kazakhstan. Bond Stone advises on LCIA clause drafting and acts as Kazakhstan-side counsel in LCIA proceedings — managing local evidence gathering, witness preparation, and enforcement of LCIA awards through Kazakhstan courts.

UNCITRAL Model Law basis

Kazakhstan’s Law “On Arbitration” is modelled on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration — providing an internationally familiar framework for both domestic and international arbitration seated in Kazakhstan. Arbitration agreements must be in writing; courts take a strict approach to agreements executed electronically.

State-owned entities — special rules

State-owned companies and companies with significant state participation must obtain prior authorisation before entering into an arbitration agreement. This is a material drafting consideration for contracts with Kazakhstani state entities — failure to obtain the required authorisation can render the arbitration clause unenforceable against the state counterparty.

Seat of arbitration

The seat determines the curial law — the procedural law governing the arbitration. For Kazakhstan-seated arbitration, Kazakhstani arbitration law applies as the curial law. For disputes involving AIFC entities, the AIFC seat under AIFC IAC Rules applies AIFC procedural law. Bond Stone advises on seat selection strategy — Almaty, Astana (AIFC), London, Stockholm, or Dubai — depending on the counterparty, governing law, and enforcement considerations.

New York Convention enforcement in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan ratified the New York Convention in 1995. Foreign arbitral awards are generally recognised and enforced by Kazakhstan courts under the Convention. However, Kazakhstan courts may refuse enforcement on public policy grounds — which has been applied inconsistently, particularly for large claims involving state-connected counterparties. Bond Stone advises on enforcement strategy and risk mitigation for awards against Kazakhstan-based respondents.

ISTAC Istanbul — Cross-border Trade Dispute

ISTAC · KZ–Turkey · 2026

Bond Stone acting for a Kazakhstani manufacturer in ISTAC Istanbul arbitration against a Turkish counterparty in a goods supply dispute. Strategy: documentary evidence package establishing non-conformity, CISG analysis, and parallel Turkish enforcement track prepared for award execution. Matter ongoing.

AIFC IAC — Digital Asset Commercial Dispute

IAC · AIFC · 2026

Bond Stone engaged in AIFC Court proceedings on behalf of an AFSA-licensed digital asset service provider — applying Bond Stone’s automatic right of audience as an AIFC Registered Legal Adviser. IAC arbitration clause strategy advised for future commercial contracts.