The rules of independence and impartiality of arbitrators are guaranteed by various mechanisms. These include the duty imposed upon an arbitrator to disclose any circumstances likely to give rise to doubts as to their impartiality or independence or the parties’ right to challenge an arbitrator. A procedural error that leads to the violation of the principles of independence and impartiality of arbitrators may constitute grounds for refusal of the recognition or enforcement of an arbitral award as specified in Article V of the New York Convention (NYC). Depending on what kind of procedural error has occurred, a different ground for the refusal of the recognition or enforcement may come into question. The power of the recognition and enforcement court to refuse the recognition of an arbitral award ex officio regardless of the initiative of the parties to the proceedings is, however, crucial. If a violation of the rules of the arbitrator’s independence and impartiality in the course of the arbitral proceedings turns out to be an infringement of the principles of due process of law, then not only does the refusal of the recognition of an arbitral award support the protection of the public policy of the state in which the recognition is sought, but it also contributes to the increase of trust of the parties to the arbitration as an alternative and fair method of dispute resolution.