The principle of adversarial proceedings is one of the fundamental principles of arbitration. As a consequence, the possibility of making ex parte requests for documents before an arbitral tribunal, although seldom studied, has given rise to lively debates. Practitioners would welcome such an option being offered to them in order to take advantage of the element of surprise against the opposing party or a third party which refuses to produce evidence or is likely to destroy it, whereas most of scholars are reluctant to welcome ex parte requests. However, this reluctance is less based on theoretical considerations than on the lack of real practical utility of this measure being granted on request since it is unlikely that such decision would be granted exequatur, at least within a sufficiently short period of time to ensure the element of surprise. Therefore, the parties would be better advised to bring their ex parte requests for production of documents before the domestic civil court. In principle, the request should be brought to such court before the arbitral tribunal is constituted. It may also be brought after the tribunal’s constitution, in particular when the request concerns a third party to the arbitration. The procedure set forth in article 145 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which some have described as a “private dawn raid”, is therefore likely to be used more and more frequently. While the civil court seems to be the most appropriate forum to assist the parties, they may also consider other legal remedies, when the factual circumstances allow it, and bring an action before criminal courts or, less commonly, file a request for assistance to a U.S. judge under Section 1782 of Title 28 U.S.C.