ACICA
Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration
ACICA Arbitration Rules
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Table of Contents
3 Notice, Calculation of Periods of Time
5 Answer to Notice of Arbitration
6 Representation and Assistance
7 ACICA Facilities and Assistance
SECTION II: COMPOSITION OF THE ARBITRAL
TRIBUNAL
9 Appointment of a Sole Arbitrator
10 Appointment of Three Arbitrators
11 Appointment of Arbitrators in Multi-Party Disputes
12 Information about Arbitrators
14 Procedure for the Challenge of Arbitrators
15 Replacement of an Arbitrator
16 Repetition of Hearings if Arbitrator Replaced
SECTION III: ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS
23 Amendments to the Claim or Defence
24 Jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal
28 Interim Measures of Protection
33 Form and Effect of the Award
34 Applicable Law, Amiable Compositeur
35 Settlement or Other Grounds for Termination
36 Interpretation of the Award
40 Fees of the Arbitral Tribunal
Any dispute, controversy or
claim arising out of, relating to or in connection with this contract,
including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall
be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the ACICA Arbitration Rules. The
seat of arbitration shall be Sydney, Australia [or choose another city]. The language of the arbitration shall be
English [or choose another
language]. The number of arbitrators shall be one [or three, or delete this sentence and rely on Article 8 of the ACICA
Arbitration Rules].
Note: This clause is suitable for both domestic and international arbitrations.
These
rules ("Rules") are the rules of arbitration of the Australian Centre
for International Commercial Arbitration ("ACICA") and may be
referred to as the "ACICA Arbitration Rules".
2.1
Where parties agree in writing that
disputes shall be referred to arbitration under the ACICA Arbitration Rules then
such disputes shall be resolved in accordance with these Rules subject to such
modification as the parties may agree in writing.
2.2
These Rules shall govern the
arbitration except that where any of these Rules are in conflict with a
provision of the law applicable to the arbitration from which the parties
cannot derogate, that provision shall prevail.
2.3
By
selecting these Rules the parties do not intend to exclude the operation of the
UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration.
3
Notice,
Calculation of Periods of Time
3.1
For the purposes of these Rules,
any notice, including a notification, communication or proposal, is deemed to
have been received if it is physically delivered to the addressee or to the
addressee's residence, place of business or mailing address, or, if none of
these can be found after making reasonable inquiry, then to the addressee's
last-known residence or place of business. Notice shall be deemed to have been
received on the day it is so delivered.
3.2
For the purposes of calculating a
period of time under the Rules, such period shall begin to run on the day
following the day when a notice, notification, proposal or other communication
is received. If the last day of such period is an official holiday or a
non-business day at the residence or place of business of the addressee, the
period is extended until the first business day which follows. Official
holidays or non-business days occurring during the running of the period of
time are included in calculating the period.
3.3
Unless the parties agree otherwise
in writing any reference to time shall be deemed to be a reference to the time
at the seat of the arbitration.
3.4
Any period of time imposed by these
Rules or ACICA in respect of the Notice of Arbitration, the Answer to Notice of
Arbitration and the composition of the Arbitral Tribunal may be extended by
ACICA.
4.1
The party initiating recourse to
arbitration (hereinafter called the "Claimant") shall give to ACICA a
Notice of Arbitration in two copies or such additional number as ACICA directs.
The Claimant shall at the same time pay ACICA's registration fee as specified
in Appendix A.
4.2
Subject to Article 4.5, the
arbitral proceedings shall be deemed to commence on the date on which the Notice
of Arbitration or the registration fee is received by ACICA, whichever is the
later.
4.3
The Notice of Arbitration shall include
the following:
(a)
a demand that the dispute be
referred to arbitration;
(b)
the names, postal addresses,
telephone and facsimile numbers and email addresses (if any) of the parties and
their counsel;
(c)
a copy of the arbitration clause or
the separate arbitration agreement that is invoked;
(d)
a reference to the contract out of,
relating to or in connection with which the dispute arises;
(e)
the general nature of the claim and
an indication of the amount involved, if any;
(f)
the relief or remedy sought; and
(g)
a proposal as to the number of
arbitrators (i.e. one or three), if the parties have not previously agreed
thereon.
4.4
The Notice of Arbitration may also
include:
(a)
the Claimant's proposal for the
appointment of a sole arbitrator in accordance with Article 9.1;
(b)
the notification of the appointment
of an arbitrator referred to in Article 10.1; and
(c)
the Statement of Claim referred to
in Article 21.
4.5
If the Notice
of Arbitration is incomplete or is not submitted in the required number ACICA
may request the Claimant to remedy the defect within an appropriate period of
time and may delay the date of commencement of the arbitral proceedings until
such defect is remedied.
4.6
Subject to
Article 4.5, upon receipt of the Notice of Arbitration ACICA shall communicate
the Notice of Arbitration to the other party referred to in Article 4.3(b).
5
Answer
to Notice of Arbitration
5.1
Within 30 days after receipt of the
Notice of Arbitration from ACICA each party against whom the Claimant seeks
relief ("Respondent" or "Respondents") shall submit an Answer
to Notice of Arbitration to ACICA. It shall be submitted in two copies or such
additional number as ACICA directs.
5.2
The Answer to Notice of Arbitration
shall include the following:
(a)
the names, postal addresses,
telephone and facsimile numbers and email addresses (if any) of the Respondent
and its counsel;
(b)
any plea that an Arbitral Tribunal
constituted under these Rules does not have jurisdiction;
(c)
the Respondent's comments on the
particulars set forth in the Notice of Arbitration;
(d)
the Respondent's answer to the
relief or remedy sought in the Notice of Arbitration; and
(e)
the Respondent's proposal as to the
number of arbitrators if the parties have not previously agreed thereon.
5.3
The Answer to Notice of Arbitration
may also include:
(a)
the Respondent's proposal for the
appointment of a sole arbitrator in accordance with Article 9.1;
(b)
the notification of the appointment
of an arbitrator referred to in Article 10.1;
(c)
the Statement of Defence referred
to in Article 22; and
(d)
any counterclaim or claim for the
purpose of a set-off, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the contract.
(The provisions of Article 4.3 will apply to any such counterclaim or set-off.)
5.4
ACICA shall provide a copy of the
Answer to Notice of Arbitration and of any exhibits included therewith to the
Claimant.
5.5
Once the registration fee has been
paid and all arbitrators have been confirmed, ACICA shall transmit the file to
the Arbitral Tribunal.
6
Representation
and Assistance
The
parties may be represented or assisted by persons of their choice. The names
and addresses of such persons must be communicated in writing to the other
party and ACICA.
7
ACICA
Facilities and Assistance
ACICA
shall, at the request of the Arbitral Tribunal or either party, make available,
or arrange for, such facilities and assistance for the conduct of the arbitral
proceedings as may be required, including suitable accommodation for sittings
of the Arbitral Tribunal, secretarial assistance and interpretation facilities.
SECTION
II: COMPOSITION OF THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL
If the parties
have not previously agreed on the number of arbitrators (i.e. one or three),
and if within 15 days after the receipt by the Respondent of the Notice of
Arbitration the parties cannot agree, ACICA shall determine the number of
arbitrators taking into account all relevant circumstances.
9
Appointment
of a Sole Arbitrator
9.1
If a sole arbitrator is to be
appointed, either party may propose to the other the names of one or more
persons, one of whom would serve as the sole arbitrator.
9.2
If within 30 days after receipt by
a party of a proposal made in accordance with Article 9.1 the parties have not
reached agreement on the choice of a sole arbitrator and provided written
evidence of their agreement to ACICA, the sole arbitrator shall be appointed by
ACICA.
9.3
In making the appointment, ACICA
shall have regard to such considerations as are likely to secure the
appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator and shall take into
account as well the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality
other than the nationalities of the parties.
10
Appointment
of Three Arbitrators
10.1
If three arbitrators are to be
appointed, each party shall appoint one arbitrator. The two arbitrators thus
appointed shall choose the third arbitrator who will act as the Chairperson of
the Tribunal.
10.2
If within 30 days after the receipt
of a party's notification of the appointment of an arbitrator the other party
has not notified the first party of the arbitrator it has appointed, the first
party may request ACICA to appoint the second arbitrator. In making the
appointment, ACICA shall have regard to such considerations as are likely to
secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator.
10.3
If within 30 days after the
appointment of the second arbitrator the two arbitrators have not agreed on the
choice of the Chairperson, the Chairperson shall be appointed by ACICA.
11
Appointment
of Arbitrators in Multi-Party Disputes
11.1
For the purposes of Articles 9 and 10,
the acts of multiple parties, whether as multiple Claimants or multiple
Respondents, shall have no effect, unless the multiple Claimants or multiple
Respondents have acted jointly and provided written evidence of their agreement
to ACICA.
11.2
If three arbitrators are to be
appointed and the multiple Claimants or multiple Respondents do not act jointly
in appointing an arbitrator, ACICA shall appoint each member of the Arbitral
Tribunal and shall designate one of them to act as Chairperson, unless all
parties agree in writing on a different method for the constitution of the Arbitral
Tribunal and provide written evidence of their agreement to ACICA.
12
Information
about Arbitrators
12.1
Where the names of one or more
persons are proposed for appointment as arbitrators, their names, postal addresses,
telephone and facsimile numbers and email addresses (if any) shall be provided
and their nationalities shall be indicated, together with a description of
their qualifications.
12.2
When ACICA is requested to appoint
an arbitrator pursuant to Articles 9 to 11, ACICA may require from either party
such information as it deems necessary to fulfil its function.
13.1
A prospective arbitrator shall in
writing disclose to those who approach him or her in connection with his or her
possible appointment any circumstances likely to give rise to justifiable
doubts as to his or her impartiality or independence. An arbitrator, once
appointed or chosen, shall immediately in writing disclose such circumstances
to the parties unless he or she has already informed them in writing of these
circumstances. A copy of any written disclosures provided to a party by a
prospective arbitrator or arbitrator shall be sent to ACICA.
13.2
Any arbitrator may be challenged if
circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to the arbitrator's
impartiality or independence.
13.3
A party may challenge the
arbitrator appointed by it only for reasons of which it becomes aware after the
appointment has been made.
14
Procedure
for the Challenge of Arbitrators
14.1
A party who intends to challenge an
arbitrator shall send notice of its challenge within 15 days after being
notified of the appointment of that arbitrator or within 15 days after becoming
aware of the circumstances mentioned in Article 13.
14.2
The challenge shall be notified to
the other party, to the arbitrator who is challenged, to the other members of
the Arbitral Tribunal and to ACICA. The notification shall be in writing and
shall state the reasons for the challenge.
14.3
When an arbitrator has been
challenged by one party, the other party may agree to the challenge. The
arbitrator may also, after the challenge, resign. In neither case does this
imply acceptance of the validity of the grounds for the challenge. In both
cases the procedure provided in Articles 9 to 13 shall be used for the
appointment of a substitute arbitrator, even if during the process of
appointing the challenged arbitrator a party had failed to exercise its right
to appoint or to participate in the appointment.
14.4
If the other party does not agree
to the challenge and the challenged arbitrator does not resign, the decision on
the challenge shall be made by ACICA.
14.5
If ACICA sustains the challenge, a
substitute arbitrator shall be appointed or chosen pursuant to the procedure
applicable to the appointment or choice of an arbitrator as provided in Articles
9 to 13.
15
Replacement
of an Arbitrator
15.1
In the event of the death or
resignation of an arbitrator during the course of the arbitral proceedings, a
substitute arbitrator shall be appointed or chosen pursuant to the procedure
provided for in Articles 9 to 13 that was applicable to the appointment or
choice of the arbitrator being replaced.
15.2
In the event that an arbitrator
fails to act or in the event of the de jure or de facto impossibility of him or
her performing his or her functions, the procedure in respect of the challenge
and replacement of an arbitrator as provided in the preceding Articles shall
apply.
16
Repetition
of Hearings if Arbitrator Replaced
Once
reconstituted, and after having invited the parties to comment, the Arbitral
Tribunal shall determine if and to what extent prior proceedings shall be
repeated before the reconstituted Arbitral Tribunal.
SECTION
III: ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS
17.1
Subject to these Rules, the Arbitral
Tribunal may conduct the arbitration in such manner as it considers
appropriate, provided that the parties are treated equally and that each party
is given a full opportunity of presenting its case.
17.2
If either party so requests, the Arbitral
Tribunal shall hold hearings for the presentation of evidence by witnesses,
including expert witnesses, or for oral argument. In the absence of such a
request, the Arbitral Tribunal shall decide whether to hold such hearings or
whether the proceedings shall be conducted on the basis of documents and other
materials.
17.3
Questions of procedure may be
decided by the Chairperson alone, or if the Arbitral Tribunal so authorises,
any other member of the Arbitral Tribunal. Any such decision is subject to
revision, if any, by the Arbitral Tribunal as a whole.
17.4
All documents or information
supplied to the Arbitral Tribunal by one party shall at the same time be
communicated by that party to the other party.
18.1
Unless the parties agree otherwise
in writing, all hearings shall take place in private.
18.2
The parties, the Arbitral Tribunal
and ACICA shall treat as confidential and shall not disclose to a third party without prior written consent from the
parties all matters relating to the arbitration (including the existence of the
arbitration), the award, materials created for the purpose of the arbitration
and documents produced by another party in the proceedings and not in the
public domain except:
(a)
for the purpose of making an
application to any competent court;
(b)
for the purpose of making an
application to the courts of any State to enforce the award;
(c)
pursuant to the order of a court of
competent jurisdiction;
(d)
if required by the law of any State
which is binding on the party making the disclosure; or
(e)
if required to do so by any regulatory
body.
18.3
Any party planning to make disclosure
under Article 18.2 must within a reasonable time prior to the intended
disclosure notify the Arbitral Tribunal, ACICA and the other parties (if during
the arbitration) or ACICA and the other parties (if the disclosure takes place
after the conclusion of the arbitration) and furnish details of the disclosure
and an explanation of the reason for it.
18.4
To the extent that a witness is
given access to evidence or other information obtained in the arbitration, the
party calling such witness is responsible for the maintenance by the witness of
the same degree of confidentiality as that required of the party.
19.1
If the parties have not previously
agreed on the seat of the arbitration and if within 15 days after the
commencement of the arbitration they cannot agree, the seat of the arbitration shall
be Sydney, Australia.
19.2
The Arbitral Tribunal may decide
where the proceedings shall be conducted (at the seat or other venues). In
particular, it may hear witnesses and hold meetings for consultation among its
members at any venue it deems appropriate, having regard to the circumstances
of the arbitration.
19.3
The Arbitral Tribunal may meet at
any venue it deems appropriate for the inspection of goods, other property or
documents. The parties shall be given sufficient notice to enable them to be
present at such inspection.
19.4
The award shall be made at the seat
of the arbitration.
20.1
Subject to an agreement by the
parties, the Arbitral Tribunal shall, promptly after its appointment, determine
the language or languages to be used in the proceedings. This determination
shall apply to the Statement of Claim, the Statement of Defence, any further
written statements and, if oral hearings take place, to the language or
languages to be used in such hearings.
20.2
The Arbitral Tribunal may order
that any submissions (written or oral), documents annexed to the Statement of
Claim or Statement of Defence, and any supplementary documents or exhibits
submitted in the course of the proceedings, delivered in their original language,
shall be accompanied by a translation (or be translated) into the language or
languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the Arbitral Tribunal.
21.1
Unless the Statement of Claim was
contained in the Notice of Arbitration, within a period of time to be
determined by the Arbitral Tribunal, the Claimant shall communicate its Statement
of Claim in writing to the Respondent, each of the arbitrators and ACICA. A
copy of the contract, and of the arbitration agreement if not contained in the
contract, shall be annexed thereto.
21.2
The Statement of Claim shall
include the following particulars:
(a)
the names, postal addresses,
telephone and facsimile numbers and email addresses (if any) of the parties and
their counsel;
(b)
a statement of the facts supporting
the claim;
(c)
the points at issue; and
(d)
the relief or remedy sought.
21.3
The Claimant may annex to its Statement
of Claim all documents it deems relevant or may add a reference to the
documents or other evidence it will submit.
22.1
Unless the Statement of Defence was
contained in the Answer to Notice of Arbitration, within a period of time to be
determined by the Arbitral Tribunal, the Respondent shall communicate its Statement
of Defence in writing to the Claimant, each of the arbitrators and ACICA.
22.2
The Statement of Defence shall
reply to the particulars (b), (c) and (d) of the Statement of Claim (Article
21.2). The Respondent may annex to its Statement of Defence the documents on
which it relies for its defence or may add a reference to the documents or
other evidence it will submit.
22.3
Unless put forward in the Answer to
Notice of Arbitration, the Respondent may in its Statement of Defence, or at a
later stage in the arbitral proceedings if the Arbitral Tribunal decides that
the delay was justified under the circumstances, make a counterclaim or claim
for the purpose of a set-off, arising out of, relating to or in connection with
the contract.
22.4
The provisions of Article 21.2 (b)
to (d) shall apply to a counterclaim and a claim relied on for the purpose of a
set-off.
23
Amendments
to the Claim or Defence
During the course
of the arbitral proceedings either party may amend or supplement its claim or
defence unless the Arbitral Tribunal considers it inappropriate to allow such
amendment having regard to the delay in making it or prejudice to the other
party or any other circumstances it considers relevant. However, a claim may
not be amended in such a manner that the amended claim falls outside the scope
of the arbitration clause or separate arbitration agreement.
24
Jurisdiction
of the Arbitral Tribunal
24.1
The Arbitral Tribunal shall have
the power to rule on objections that it has no jurisdiction, including any
objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration clause
or of the separate arbitration agreement.
24.2
The Arbitral Tribunal shall have
the power to determine the existence or the validity of the contract of which
an arbitration clause forms a part. For the purposes of this Article 24, an
arbitration clause which forms part of a contract and which provides for
arbitration under these Rules shall be treated as an agreement independent of
the other terms of the contract. A decision by the Arbitral Tribunal that the
contract is null and void shall not entail ipso jure the invalidity of the
arbitration clause.
24.3
A plea that the Arbitral Tribunal
does not have jurisdiction shall be raised no later than in the Statement of
Defence referred to in Article 22, or, with respect to a counterclaim, in the
reply to the counterclaim.
24.4
In general, the Arbitral Tribunal
should rule on a plea concerning its jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
However, the Arbitral Tribunal may proceed with the arbitration and rule on
such a plea in its final award.
The Arbitral Tribunal
shall decide which further written statements, in addition to the Statement of
Claim and the Statement of Defence, shall be required from the parties or may
be presented by them and shall fix the periods of time for communicating such
statements.
The periods of
time fixed by the Arbitral Tribunal for the communication of written statements
(including the Statement of Claim and Statement of Defence) should not exceed 45
days. However, the Arbitral Tribunal may extend the periods of time if it
concludes that an extension is justified.
27.1
Each party shall have the burden of
proving the facts relied upon to support its claim or defence.
27.2
The Arbitral Tribunal shall have
regard to, but is not bound to apply, the International
Bar Association Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Commercial
Arbitration in the version current at the commencement of the arbitration.
27.3
An agreement of the parties and the
Rules (in that order) shall at all times prevail over an inconsistent provision
in the International Bar Association
Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration.
28
Interim
Measures of Protection
28.1
Unless the parties agree otherwise
in writing, the Arbitral Tribunal may, on the request of any party, order
interim measures of protection. The Arbitral Tribunal may order such measures
in the form of an award, or in any other form (such as an order) provided
reasons are given, and on such terms as it deems appropriate. The Arbitral
Tribunal shall endeavour to ensure that the measures are enforceable.
28.2
An interim measure of protection is
any temporary measure by which the Arbitral Tribunal orders a party to:
(a)
maintain or restore the status quo
pending determination of the dispute;
(b)
take action that would prevent, or
refrain from taking action that is likely to cause, current or imminent harm;
(c)
provide a means of preserving
assets out of which a subsequent award may be satisfied;
(d)
preserve evidence that may be
relevant and material to the resolution of the dispute; or
(e)
provide security for legal or other
costs of any party.
28.3
Before the Arbitral Tribunal orders
any interim measure, the party requesting it shall satisfy the Arbitral
Tribunal that:
(a)
irreparable harm is likely to
result if the measure is not ordered;
(b)
such harm substantially outweighs
the harm that is likely to result to the party affected by the measure if the
measure is granted; and
(c)
there is a reasonable possibility
that the requesting party will succeed on the merits, provided that any determination
on this possibility shall not affect the liberty of decision of the Arbitral
Tribunal in making any subsequent determination.
28.4
The Arbitral Tribunal may require a
party to provide appropriate security as a condition to granting an interim
measure.
28.5
The requesting party shall promptly
disclose in writing to the Arbitral Tribunal any material change in the
circumstances on the basis of which that party made the request for, or the Arbitral
Tribunal granted, the interim measure.
28.6
The Arbitral Tribunal may modify,
suspend or terminate any of its own interim measures at any time upon the
request of any party. In exceptional circumstances the Arbitral Tribunal may,
on its own initiative, modify, suspend or terminate any of its own interim
measures upon prior notice to the parties.
28.7
If the Arbitral Tribunal later
determines that the measure should not have been granted, it may decide that
the requesting party is liable to the party against whom the measure was
directed for any costs or damages caused by the measure.
28.8
The power of the Arbitral Tribunal
under this Article 28 shall not prejudice a party's right to apply to any
competent court or other judicial authority for interim measures. Any
application and any order for such measures after the formation of the Arbitral
Tribunal shall be promptly communicated, in writing, by the applicant to the Arbitral
Tribunal, all other parties and ACICA.
29.1
If, within the period of time fixed
by the Arbitral Tribunal, the Claimant has failed to communicate its Statement
of Claim without showing sufficient cause for such failure, the Arbitral
Tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings.
If, within the period of time fixed by the Arbitral Tribunal, the Respondent
has failed to communicate its Statement of Defence without showing sufficient
cause for such failure, the Arbitral Tribunal shall order that the proceedings
continue.
29.2
If one of the parties, duly
notified under these Rules, fails to appear at a hearing, without showing
sufficient cause for such failure, the Arbitral Tribunal may proceed with the
arbitration.
29.3
If one of the parties, duly invited
to produce documentary evidence, fails to do so within the established period
of time, without showing sufficient cause for such failure, the Arbitral
Tribunal may make the award on the evidence before it.
30.1
The Arbitral Tribunal may inquire
of the parties if they have any further proof to offer or witnesses to be heard
or submissions to make and, if there are none, it may declare the hearings
closed.
30.2
The Arbitral Tribunal may, if it
considers it necessary owing to exceptional circumstances, decide, on its own
motion or upon application of a party, to reopen the hearings at any time
before the award is made.
A party that
knows that any provision of, or requirement under, these Rules has not been
complied with and yet proceeds with the arbitration without promptly stating its
objection to such non-compliance, shall be deemed to have waived its right to
object.
When there are
three arbitrators, any award or other decision of the Arbitral Tribunal shall
be made by a majority of the arbitrators. Failing a majority decision on any
issue, the opinion of the Chairperson shall prevail.
33
Form
and Effect of the Award
33.1
In addition to making a final
award, the Arbitral Tribunal shall be entitled to make interim, interlocutory,
or partial awards.
33.2
The award shall be made in writing
and shall be final and binding on the parties. The parties undertake to carry
out the award without delay.
33.3
The Arbitral Tribunal shall state
the reasons upon which the award is based, unless the parties have agreed that
no reasons are to be given.
33.4
An award shall be signed by the
arbitrators and it shall contain the date on which and the place where the
award was made. If any arbitrator refuses or fails to sign the award, the
signatures of the majority or (failing a majority) of the Chairperson shall be
sufficient, provided that the reason for the omitted signature is stated in the
award by the majority or Chairperson.
33.5
The Arbitral Tribunal shall
communicate copies of the award signed by the arbitrators to the parties and
ACICA.
33.6
Before communicating the award to
the parties, the Arbitral Tribunal shall inquire of ACICA whether there are any
outstanding monies due to it. The award shall not be communicated to the
parties until ACICA certifies that there are no monies due to it.
33.7
If the arbitration law of the place
where the award is made requires that the award be filed or registered by the Arbitral
Tribunal, the Tribunal shall comply with this requirement within the period of
time required by law.
34
Applicable
Law, Amiable Compositeur
34.1
The Arbitral Tribunal shall apply
the law designated by the parties as applicable to the substance of the
dispute. Failing such designation by the parties, the Arbitral Tribunal shall
apply the rules of law which it considers applicable.
34.2
The Arbitral Tribunal shall decide
as amiable compositeur or ex aequo et bono only if the parties have, in
writing, expressly authorized the Arbitral Tribunal to do so and if the law
applicable to the arbitral procedure permits such arbitration.
34.3
In all cases, the Arbitral Tribunal
shall decide in accordance with the terms of the contract and shall take into
account the usages of the trade applicable to the transaction.
35
Settlement
or Other Grounds for Termination
35.1
If, before the award is made, the
parties agree on a settlement of the dispute, the Arbitral Tribunal shall
either issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings or, if
requested by both parties and accepted by the Tribunal, record the settlement
in the form of an arbitral award on agreed terms. The Arbitral Tribunal is not
obliged to give reasons for such an award.
35.2
If, before the award is made, the
continuation of the arbitral proceedings becomes unnecessary or impossible for
any reason not mentioned in Article 35.1, the Arbitral Tribunal shall inform
the parties of its intention to issue an order for the termination of the
proceedings. The Arbitral Tribunal shall have the power to issue such an order
unless a party raises justifiable grounds for objection.
35.3
Copies of the order for termination
of the arbitral proceedings or of the arbitral award on agreed terms, signed by
the arbitrators, shall be communicated by the Arbitral Tribunal to the parties
and ACICA. Where an arbitral award on agreed terms is made, the provisions of Articles
33.2, and 33.4 to 33.7, shall apply.
36
Interpretation
of the Award
36.1
Within 30 days after the receipt of
the award, either party, with notice to the other party, may request that the Arbitral
Tribunal give an interpretation of the award.
36.2
The interpretation shall be given
in writing within 45 days after the receipt of the request. The interpretation
shall form part of the award and the provisions of Articles 33.2 to 33.7, shall
apply.
37.1
Within 30 days after the receipt of
the award, either party, with notice to the other party, may request the Arbitral
Tribunal to correct in the award any errors in computation, any clerical or
typographical errors, or any errors of similar nature. The Arbitral Tribunal
may within 30 days after the communication of the award make such corrections
on its own initiative.
37.2
Such corrections shall be in
writing, and the provisions of Articles 33.2 to 33.7 shall apply.
38.1
Within 30 days after the receipt of
the award, either party, with notice to the other party, may request the Arbitral
Tribunal to make an additional award as to claims presented in the arbitral
proceedings but omitted from the award.
38.2
If the Arbitral Tribunal considers
the request for an additional award to be justified and considers that the
omission can be rectified without any further hearings or evidence, it shall
complete its award within 60 days after the receipt of the request.
38.3
When an additional award is made,
the provisions of Articles 33.2 to 33.7, shall apply.
The Arbitral
Tribunal shall fix the costs of arbitration in its award. The term "costs
of arbitration" includes only:
(a)
the fees of the Arbitral Tribunal,
to be stated separately as to each arbitrator, and to be fixed in accordance
with Article 40;
(b)
the travel (business class
airfares) and other reasonable expenses incurred by the arbitrators;
(c)
the costs of expert advice and of
other assistance required by the Arbitral Tribunal;
(d)
the travel (business class
airfares) and other reasonable
expenses of witnesses to the extent such expenses are approved by the Arbitral
Tribunal;
(e)
the legal and other costs directly
incurred by the successful party if such costs were claimed during the arbitral
proceedings, and only to the extent that the Arbitral Tribunal determines that
the amount of such costs is reasonable;
(f)
ACICA's registration fee and
administration fee; and
(g)
fees for facilities and assistance
provided by ACICA in accordance with Articles 7 and 42.5.
40
Fees
of the Arbitral Tribunal
40.1
Unless otherwise agreed, the
arbitrators shall be remunerated on the basis of an hourly rate.
40.2
The hourly rate shall be agreed
between the parties and the arbitrators or, failing agreement, shall be
determined by ACICA.
40.3
Unless otherwise agreed in writing,
the hourly rate will be exclusive of GST, value added tax or any other like tax
which may apply.
40.4
Where ACICA is requested to
determine the hourly rate, it shall take into account, inter alia:
(a)
the nature of the dispute and the
amount in dispute, insofar as it is aware of them; and
(b)
the standing and experience of the
arbitrator.
41.1
Except as provided in Article 41.2,
the costs of arbitration shall in principle be borne by the unsuccessful party.
However, the Arbitral Tribunal may apportion each of such costs between the
parties if it determines that apportionment is reasonable, taking into account
the circumstances of the case.
41.2
With respect to the costs referred
to in Article 39(e), the Arbitral Tribunal, taking into account the
circumstances of the case, shall be free to determine which party shall bear
such costs or may apportion such costs between the parties if it determines
that apportionment is reasonable.
41.3
When the Arbitral Tribunal issues
an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings or makes an award on
agreed terms, it shall fix the costs of arbitration referred to in Article 39
in that order or award.
41.4
No additional fees may be charged by
an Arbitral Tribunal for interpretation or correction or completion of its
award under Articles 36 to 38.
42.1
The Arbitral Tribunal, on its
establishment, shall request each party to deposit an equal amount as an
advance for the costs referred to in Article 39.1(a), (b), (c), (f) and (g).
42.2
Where a Respondent submits a
counterclaim, or it otherwise appears appropriate in the circumstances, the
Arbitral Tribunal may in its discretion establish separate deposits.
42.3
During the course of the arbitral
proceedings the Arbitral Tribunal may from time to time request supplementary
deposits from the parties.
42.4
The Arbitral Tribunal shall fix the
amount of any deposit or supplementary deposits only after consultation and
with the approval of ACICA.
42.5
With the consent of ACICA, the Arbitral
Tribunal may lodge the deposits in a trust account maintained by ACICA. ACICA
shall disburse those funds on the instructions of the Arbitral Tribunal. ACICA
may make a charge for its trust account services.
42.6
If the required deposits are not
paid in full within 30 days after the receipt of the request, the Arbitral
Tribunal shall so inform the parties in order that one or another of them may
make the required payment. If such payment is not made, the Arbitral Tribunal
may order the suspension or termination of the arbitral proceedings.
42.7
After the award has been made, the Arbitral
Tribunal shall render an accounting to the parties of the deposits received and
return any unexpended balance to the parties.
43.1
Decisions
made by ACICA will be made by the ACICA Board of Directors, or by any person(s)
to whom the Board of Directors has delegated decision making authority.
43.2
Decisions
made by ACICA with respect to all matters relating to the arbitration shall be
conclusive and binding upon the parties and the Arbitral Tribunal. ACICA shall
not be required to give any reasons.
43.3
To the
extent permitted by the law of the seat of the arbitration, the parties shall
be taken to have waived any right of appeal or review in respect of any such decisions
made by ACICA to any State court or other judicial authority.
43.4
Neither
ACICA nor its members, officers, servants or agents shall be liable for making any
decision or taking any action or failing to make any decision or take any
action under these Rules.
44
Liability of Arbitral Tribunal
The Arbitral Tribunal shall not be liable for any act or omission in
connection with any arbitration conducted by reference to these Rules save
where the act or omission is fraudulent.
1.1
The
reference in these Rules to "dollars" or "$" is to
Australian currency.
1.2
When
submitting the Notice of Arbitration the Claimant shall pay to ACICA a registration
fee of $2,500. The registration fee is not refundable.
2.1
The
parties shall pay to ACICA an administrative fee as specified in Schedule 1.
2.2
For
the purposes of determining the amount in dispute:
(a)
claims,
counterclaims and set-off defences shall be added together;
(b)
amounts
claimed for interest shall not be taken into account, unless the
interest claim exceeds the principal amount claimed, in which case the interest
claims alone shall be considered in calculating the amount in dispute;
(c)
claims
expressed in currencies other than in Australian dollars shall be converted
into Australian dollars at the rate of exchange applicable on the day when ACICA
received the Notice of Arbitration; and
(d)
if
the amount in dispute is not specified in the Statement of Claim or counterclaim,
the amount in dispute shall be determined by the Arbitral Tribunal taking into
account all relevant circumstances.
Schedule 1
Amount in Dispute |
Administrative Fees |
$1 to $500,000 |
1% of the amount in dispute |
$500,001 to $1,000,000 |
$5,000 plus 0.5% of amount in dispute above $500,000 |
$1,000,001 to $10,000,000 |
$7,500 plus 0.25% of amount in dispute above $1,000,000 |
$10,000,001 to $100,000,000 |
$30,000 plus 0.01% of the amount in dispute above $10,000,000 |
over $100,000,000 |
$39,000 plus 0.02% of the amount in dispute above $100,000,000 up to a maximum of $60,000 |
APPENDIX
B: ACICA's Contact Details
1
Sydney Office
Level 6, 50
Park Street
Sydney NSW
2000
Telephone: +61
(0) 2 9286 3591
Facsimile: +61
(0) 2 9267 3125
Email: secretariat@acica.org.au
2
Melbourne Office
470 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone:
+61 (0) 3 9286 6384
Facsimile:
+61 (0) 3 9286 6460
Email: secretariat@acica.org.au
3
Perth Office
Murdoch University
South Street, Murdoch,
Western Australia, 6150
Telephone:
+61 (0) 8 9360 7563
Email: secretariat@acica.org.au