There are two facets to the
legitimacy of arbitration. There is the relative facet, where legitimacy is
reviewed by reference to the internal relationships between the parties; it is
their common intent which justifies such legitimacy, with the blessing of the
State, and their consent is exercised by the choice of such forum and the
designation of the arbitrators. There is the absolute facet, which is the view
from outside; in such a context arbitration appears in principle as a type of
justice restricted to a specific case, however the coherence of awards rendered
by a relatively homogenous body of arbitrators allows it to transcend this
restricted context and to play a more ambitious role.