Abstract: In Latin America, arbitration is characterized as a result of cultural evolution, a phenomenon that marked the transition from a past dominated by hostility and an obsolete legislations, to a modern scenario of legislative innovations, ratification of treaties and conventions, as well as efforts implementation towards the effectiveness of the institute. Nonetheless, it is still possible to identify some influences from that archaic past, especially in the existence of ambiguous and obscure laws disciplining arbitration. One of these problems is, for instance, the absence, in some countries, of specific rules differentiating the procedures for domestic arbitrations from those for international arbitrations, which generates dubious interpretations of the applicable law to the merits. Although the particularities of each legal system, the frame of arbitration in Latin American countries offer credibility and stimulates foreign investment. It is up to legal practitioners, however, to dedicate to the study and to solve the issues that may arise in the practice.

- 1. Introdução - 2. Confirmação da utilização do princípio da autonomia das partes - 3. E se o contrato for omisso a respeito da lei aplicável ao mérito do conflito? Deverá o árbitro aplicar a regra de conflito de leis do país sede da arbitragem? - 4. E se uma das partes se baseia na lei aplicável ao fundo do contrato com o fim de buscar a anulação do laudo arbitral? - 5. Conclusão