The English Arbitration Act 1996 marked a radical change in English arbitration law by consolidating existing statutes into a comprehensive statutory framework. It aims to facilitate fair, speedy and cost-effective dispute resolution through party autonomy and limited court intervention. While generally conforming to the UNCITRAL Model Law, the Act differs in some respects, such as including provisions specific to English law and having more prescriptive language. Critics argue it does not sufficiently reduce court intervention through appeal processes and jurisdiction challenges. Supporters view it as a success, and English courts as generally taking a pro-arbitration approach in their interpretation and application of the Act.