Originally from The Law and Practice of United States Arbitration - Seventh Edition

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1.  Introduction

Once the arbitral tribunal renders an award and the administering arbitral institution delivers it to the arbitrating parties, the arbitral proceeding and the arbitration are concluded.  The losing party can satisfy the award within a time designated by statute or regulatory provision. Once the award is paid, the process is completed. If coercive enforcement becomes necessary,  the parties pursue an enforcement action before a court. Because the arbitrators have rendered an award and fulfilled their adjudicatory obligation, jurisdiction for enforcement purposes lies with the courts. The arbitrators have no role to play in award enforcement.  Upon rendering the award, arbitrators are functus officio.  A number of circumstances can create a need for compulsory legal measures.  A party can file an action to modify or correct the award to rectify inadvertent clerical errors.   When there is unambiguity or confusion in the award, it can be remanded by the court (and, now, by one of the parties) to the arbitrators for clarification.  In the absence of voluntary compliance, usually within the prescribed one-year time limit,  parties can bring an action to confirm or vacate the award.  The confirmation or vacatur of awards is the final step in a contested award enforcement process.