In recent years, many arbitration institutions have adopted so-called ‘emergency relief rules’. These rules allow parties to request an ‘emergency arbitrator’ to issue interim measures before the arbitral tribunal is constituted. The author submits that while emergency arbitrators might apply the same substantive requirements that arbitral tribunals apply for granting interim relief, the standard required to meet each substantive requirement shall be different. In addition, the author explores the power of emergency arbitrators to grant urgent relief ex parte and a particular fact scenario where emergency arbitrators will add imminent value to the process of arbitration.