Chapter 1. General provisions

§ 1-1 Scope of the Act

(1) This Act shall apply to arbitration taking place in Norway pursuant to section 5-3. The Act shall also apply to arbitration pursuant to statute.

(2) Chapter 9 shall also apply to foreign arbitration awards.

§ 1-2 Role of the courts

(1) The courts shall have no jurisdiction over disputes subject to arbitral proceedings, except as provided by this Act. For the purposes of this Act, «courts» shall mean the ordinary courts of justice.

(2) To the extent that the courts have jurisdiction, the court before which the dispute could have been brought in the absence of an arbitration agreement shall have jurisdiction. The first court that deals with a case, shall handle all following disputes. The securing of evidence may also take place before a different court.

(3) The provisions of the Act relating to the Resolution of Disputes shall apply to any involvement of the courts with the case, unless otherwise provided by this Act. The proceedings before the court shall normally be in writing. Oral proceedings shall take place to the extent required in order for the proceedings to be sound and fair. Such oral proceedings may be limited to particular issues. An action to set aside an arbitral award pursuant to Chapter 8 shall be dealt with pursuant to Chapters 9 or 10 of the Dispute Act.

§ 1-3 Derogation from the provisions in the Act

(1) The parties may by agreement derogate from the provisions in chapter 3 to 7 on appointment and composition of the arbitral tribunal, the provisions on the conduct of arbitral proceedings, and the provisions on the arbitral award and costs, unless otherwise is laid down in the particular provision.

(2) The parties may not derogate from the provisions on the courts dealings with the arbitral proceedings.

§ 1-4 Waiver of right to object

A party who is aware, or ought to have been aware, that the arbitral proceedings do not comply with non-mandatory provisions of this Act or with the arbitration agreement, must state his objection to such non-compliance within the prescribed time limits, or, if no such time limits have been prescribed, without undue delay. If he fails to do so, he shall be deemed to have waived his right to object.

§ 1-5 Duty of confidentiality and public access

(1) There shall be no public right of access to arbitral proceedings and documentation related thereto, and such proceedings shall be subject to a duty of confidentiality. A party may always provide such information as is required of him pursuant to a statutory duty of disclosure, and make such announcements as are necessary to enable him to exercise his rights pursuant to the arbitral award.

(2) The duty of confidentiality concerning the arbitral award shall cease one month after the making of such award, unless the parties have agreed otherwise. The arbitral tribunal may determine that the duty of confidentiality shall not cease, or that the award may only be published anonymously, provided that there are reasonable grounds for such restriction. Any application must be submitted before the duty of confidentiality ceases. The arbitral tribunal shall make its decision within one month after the application is brought before it. The arbitral award is subject to a duty of confidentiality pending the decision of the arbitral tribunal on the issue.

(3) An arbitral award that is not subject to a duty of confidentiality may be published.

(4) The parties may derogate from the provisions in (1) to (3). A party may always give such information as mentioned in (1) second sentence.

Chapter 2. The arbitration agreement

§ 2-1 Scope of the arbitration

(1) Disputes concerning legal relations in respect of which the parties have an unrestricted right of disposition may be determined by arbitration.

(2) The private law effects of competition law may be tried by arbitration.

§ 2-2 The arbitration agreement

(1) The parties may agree to submit to arbitration disputes which have arisen, as well as all or certain disputes which may arise in respect of a defined legal relationship.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed between the parties in the arbitration agreement, the arbitration agreement shall be deemed to be transferred together with any transfer of the legal relationship to which the arbitration agreement applies.

(3) Arbitration is binding on a party unless such party objects to the arbitral tribunal having jurisdiction over the case pursuant to section 4-1(3).

§ 2-3 Consumer protection

(1) An arbitration agreement to which a consumer is a party shall be confirmed by way of a document, which may be in an electronic format, signed by both parties. Such document shall not include other agreements than the arbitration agreement.

(2) An arbitration agreement to which a consumer is a party shall not be binding on the consumer if entered into before the dispute arise. Section 2-2(3) shall only apply if the consumer participates in proceedings before the arbitral tribunal after having been made aware that the arbitration agreement is not binding on him.

§ 2-4 Institution of legal proceedings before the courts

(1) The courts shall dismiss actions concerning legal relationships that are subject to an arbitration agreement, provided that a party requests dismissal no later than the point at which the said party addresses the merits of the case. The court shall hear the case if it finds that the arbitration agreement is invalid or that the agreement for other reasons cannot be implemented.

(2) If arbitration has been initiated pursuant to section 5-4 by the time legal proceedings before a court are instituted, the case shall only be heard if the court finds it obvious that the arbitration agreement is invalid or that the agreement for other reasons cannot be implemented.

(3) The arbitral tribunal may commence or continue the arbitral proceedings, hereunder determine the dispute, even though legal proceedings are pending before the courts.

§ 2-5 Provisional security

The courts may grant an application for provisional security pursuant to Chapters 14 and 15 of the Enforcement Act even if a dispute is subject to arbitration.

Chapter 3. The arbitral tribunal

§ 3-1 Number of arbitrators

The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three arbitrators.

§ 3-2 Appointment of arbitrators

(1) The arbitrators shall be impartial and independent of the parties and qualified for the task. The parties shall as far as possible appoint the arbitrators jointly.

(2) If the arbitral tribunal consists of three arbitrators and the parties are unable to agree on who should be appointed, each party shall appoint one arbitrator within one month of receipt of a request to do so. The two arbitrators thus appointed shall together appoint the presiding arbitrator within one month of their appointment.

(3) If the arbitral tribunal cannot be constituted in accordance with the arbitration agreement or pursuant to paragraph (2), each of the parties may apply to the court to make the appointment. The appointment of an arbitrator cannot be challenged or appealed.

§ 3-3 Grounds for challenging arbitrators

(1) When a person is approached in connection with his possible appointment as an arbitrator, he shall of his own accord disclose any circumstances that might give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence. An arbitrator, from the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings, shall immediately disclose any new circumstances of such nature to the parties.

(2) An arbitrator may be challenged only if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence, or if he does not possess qualifications agreed to by the parties. A party may challenge an arbitrator in whose appointment he has participated, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment has been made.

(3) The parties cannot derogate from this provision by agreement.

§ 3-4 Challenge procedure

(1) A challenge of an arbitrator shall state the reasons for the challenge, and be submitted in writing to the arbitral tribunal within two weeks of the party becoming aware of the appointment of the arbitrator and the circumstances referred to in section 3-3(2). Unless the challenged arbitrator withdraws from his office or the other party agrees to the challenge, the arbitral tribunal shall decide on the challenge.

(2) If a challenge pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) is not successful, the challenging party may bring the issue before the courts within one month of having received notice of rejection of the challenge. The court shall determine the issue by way of an interlocutory order. The challenge cannot subsequently constitute grounds for invalidity or an objection to the recognition or enforcement of an award. While such issue is pending before the court, the arbitral tribunal, including the challenged arbitrator, may continue the arbitral proceedings and make an award.

§ 3-5 Failure to act

(1) If an arbitrator becomes de jure or de facto unable to perform his functions or if an arbitrator for other reasons fails to act without undue delay, his mandate terminates if he withdraws from his office or if the parties agree on the termination. Otherwise, any party may request the courts to determine whether such reasons exist and whether the mandate shall thus terminate, which decision shall not be subject to appeal.

(2) If an arbitrator withdraws from his office or the parties agree to the termination of the mandate pursuant to this provision or section 3-4(1), this does not imply any acceptance of the validity of any ground for the challenge pursuant to this provision or section 3-3(2).

§ 3-6 Appointment of substitute arbitrator

(1) Where the mandate of an arbitrator terminates pursuant to sections 3-4 or 3-5, or because of his withdrawal from office for any other reason, or because of the revocation of his mandate by agreement of the parties or in any other case of termination of his mandate, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed according to the rules that were applied to the appointment of the arbitrator being replaced.

(2) If a substitute arbitrator is appointed all previous arbitral proceedings forming part of the basis upon which the case shall be decided, shall be repeated.

Chapter 4. The jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal

§ 4-1 The ruling of the arbitral tribunal on its own jurisdiction

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall rule on its own jurisdiction, including any objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement.

(2) An arbitration agreement which forms part of a contract, shall for purposes of this provision be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract. A decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is invalid shall not in itself entail the invalidity of the arbitration agreement.

(3) An objection that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction over the case or the claim, shall be raised no later than the submission of the first statement of such party as to the merits of the case. The arbitral tribunal may admit a later objection if the party is not significantly to blame for the delay in raising the objection. A party is not precluded from raising such an objection by the fact that he has participated in the appointment of an arbitrator.

(4) The arbitral tribunal may rule on an objection to its jurisdiction either during the arbitral proceedings or in the arbitral award determining the dispute. If the arbitral tribunal during the arbitral proceedings rules that it has jurisdiction, any party may, within one month of having received that ruling, bring the issue before the courts, which shall determine such issue by way of an interlocutory order. While such issue is pending before the court, the arbitral tribunal may continue the arbitral proceedings and determine the dispute.

(5) The parties cannot derogate from this provision by agreement.

§ 4-2 The power of the arbitral tribunal to order interim measures

(1) The arbitral tribunal may, at the request of a party, order any party to take such interim measures as the arbitral tribunal shall consider necessary. The arbitral tribunal may order the party that requested the measure, to provide security for any consequences thereof. An order of the arbitral tribunal shall not be enforceable [by the courts].

(2) If it turns out that the claim which the interim measure was to secure did not exist at the time of such measure being decided, the parties requesting the implementation thereof shall indemnify other parties for the loss suffered by them as a result of the measure. The claim for indemnification shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal.

Chapter 5. Conduct of arbitral proceedings

§ 5-1 Equal treatment of the parties

The parties shall be treated equally at all stages of the arbitral proceedings and each party shall be given a full opportunity of presenting his case. The parties cannot derogate from this provision by agreement.

§ 5-2 Rules of procedure

(1) The parties are free to agree on the rules of procedure to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in conducting the proceedings, subject to the mandatory provisions of this Act.

(2) Within the framework of the agreement between the parties and the provisions of this Act, the arbitral tribunal shall conduct the arbitration in such manner as it considers appropriate. Immediately upon the arbitral tribunal having been appointed, the arbitral tribunal or the presiding arbitrator shall discuss with the parties a plan for the further conduct of the case and make any decisions required in such respect.

§ 5-3 The place of arbitration

(1) The place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal, having regard to the practical conduct of the case, including the prospects for the parties to participate in oral proceedings.

(2) Irrespective of the place of arbitration, the arbitral tribunal may meet at any place it considers appropriate for deliberation among its members, for examining witnesses, experts or parties, or for assessment of evidence.

§ 5-4 Commencement of arbitral proceedings

The arbitration shall be deemed to have been commenced on the date on which the respondent receives a demand for the dispute to be referred to arbitration.

§ 5-5 Language of arbitration

(1) If all parties are domiciled in Norway the language of arbitration shall be Norwegian. In other cases, the arbitral tribunal shall determine the language or languages to be used. Swedish or Danish may also be used if the language of arbitration is Norwegian.

(2) The language of arbitration shall shall apply to any written statement by a party, any oral hearings and any decision or other communication by the arbitral tribunal.

(3) The arbitral tribunal may order that any documentary evidence shall be translated into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal.

§ 5-6 Particulars of claim and reply

(1) The claimant shall within the time limit determined by the arbitral tribunal, submit particulars of claim to the arbitral tribunal, specifying the claim being brought, a prayer specifying the remedy or relief being sought by way of arbitral award, the factual and legal grounds upon which the claim is based and the evidence which will be presented.

(2) The respondent shall within the time limit determined by the arbitral tribunal, submit a reply to the arbitral tribunal, stating whether the claim made is accepted or contested, and whether he has any objections to the arbitral tribunal dealing with the case. The reply shall specify the remedy or relief being sought by the respondent by way of arbitral award, the factual and legal grounds for the remedy or relief and the evidence which will be presented. If the respondent submits a claim in respect of which an arbitral award is requested, the provisions concerning particulars of claim and reply shall apply to such claim.

(3) The parties may submit new claims, expand the prayer for relief in respect of existing claims, and submit new grounds for the prayer and new evidence. The grounds for a prayer for relief are the operative facts up on which a party basis his prayer. The arbitral tribunal may upon the request of a party refuse such amendments or additions, provided that the need for progressing the case or other weighty concerns suggest that such amendment or addition should not be permitted, and further provided that such refusal would not be unreasonable.

§ 5-7 Hearings and written proceedings

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall decide whether to hold oral hearings on the case, or whether the case shall be decided on the basis of written proceedings. A party may request an oral hearing, which shall then be held at an appropriate stage of the proceedings.

(2) The parties shall be given reasonable advance notice of any oral hearing and of any meeting which the parties are entitled to attend.

(3) All statements, documents or other information supplied to the arbitral tribunal shall at the same time be communicated by the party to the other parties. Any materials received directly by the arbitral tribunal from third parties, shall immediately be sent by the arbitral tribunal to the parties.

§ 5-8 Default of a party

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings if the claimant without reasonable cause fails to submit particulars of claim pursuant to section 5-6(1).

(2) The arbitral tribunal shall continue its conduct of the arbitration on the basis of the evidence before it if the respondent, without reasonable cause, fails to submit a reply pursuant to section 5-6(2).

(3) If a party is absent from an arbitral hearing or fails to carry out a procedural step which he has been ordered to perform, the arbitral tribunal may continue its conduct of the arbitration and decide the case on the basis of the evidence before it.

§ 5-9 Evidence

(1) The parties shall be responsible for illuminating and clarifying the factual basis upon which the case shall be determined, and shall be entitled to present such evidence as they wish. The arbitral tribunal may refuse evidence if it is obviously irrelevant to the determination of the case, or curtail the presentation of evidence if the extent of the evidence presented is no reasonable proportion to the importance of the dispute.

(2) The arbitral tribunal may appoint one or more experts to report on specific issues to be determined by the arbitral tribunal. The arbitral tribunal may require the parties to provide the expert with any relevant information and to produce or to provide access to evidence.

(3) An expert who has submitted a written report shall be obliged to testify at an oral hearing, if so requested by the parties or it is considered necessary by the arbitral tribunal. During such testimony both the parties and the arbitral tribunal shall have the opportunity to put questions to him. Each party shall also be entitled to present expert witnesses concerning the points at issue.

(4) The provisions concerning challenge of arbitrators in section 3-3 and section 3-4(1) shall apply correspondingly to the extent appropriate to experts appointed by the arbitral tribunal.

§ 5-10 Assistance from the courts

(1) The arbitral tribunal, or a party by consent of the arbitral tribunal, may request that the courts obtain testimony from parties or witnesses as well as other evidence. The arbitral tribunal shall receive reasonable advance notice of taking of evidence and assessment of evidence. The arbitrators shall be entitled to be present and to put questions.

(2) When an arbitral tribunal is obliged to take a position on interpretation of the EEA-agreement, including its protocols, exhibits and the legislative acts with which such exhibits are concerned, it may, of its own accord or at the request of a party, request the courts to submit issues of interpretation to the EFTA-court pursuant to the provisions of section 51 A of the Courts of Justice Act.

Chapter 6. Deciding on the arbitration

§ 6-1 Application of law

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall apply such rules of law as have been chosen by the parties as applicable to the substance of the dispute. Any designation of the law or legal system of a given State shall be construed, unless otherwise expressed, as referring to the substantive law of that State and not to its conflict of laws rules.

(2) Failing any designation by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall apply Norwegian conflict of laws rules.

(3) The arbitral tribunal shall decide on the basis of fairness only if the parties have expressly authorised it to do so.

(4) In all cases, the arbitral tribunal shall decide in accordance with the terms of the agreement and attach weight to the usages of the trade applicable.

§ 6-2 The extent to which the arbitral tribunal is restricted by the conduct of the parties

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall only decide the claims raised in the case. The decision shall fall within the scope of the prayers for relief or remedies sought by the parties, and the court may only base itself on the grounds which have been invoked for such prayers.

(2) The arbitral tribunal shall base its decision on the evidence presented before it. The arbitral tribunal shall not be constrained by the arguments of the parties as to issues of evidence.

§ 6-3 Separate proceedings and determinations

(1) The arbitral tribunal may decide that separate proceedings shall take place in respect of one or more claims of the case, or in respect of one or more issues in dispute, unless the parties object.

(2) The arbitral tribunal may separately determine one or more claims of the case or a part of a claim, unless the parties object. Grounds for a prayer for relief that do not lead to a claim being decided on, may only be determined separately with the consent of the parties.

§ 6-4 Voting procedure

(1) The decisions of the arbitral tribunal shall be made by a majority of votes cast. The presiding arbitrator shall have a casting vote if an absolute majority is not otherwise achievable. Provided that there is no majority for any ruling when a sum of money or other quantity shall be determined, the votes in favour of higher amounts or quantities shall be added to the votes in favour of the closest amounts or quantities until a majority has been reached.

(2) If a minority of the arbitrators refuse to take part in a vote, the remaining arbitrators may make the decision unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

(3) Procedural issues may be decided by the presiding arbitrator on his own, if he has been authorised to do so by the parties or by the full arbitral tribunal.

§ 6-5 Settlement

(1) A settlement made by the parties before the arbitral tribunal shall, on request from the parties, be confirmed by way of an arbitral award.

(2) An arbitral award confirming a settlement shall have the same effect as any other arbitral award.

§ 6-6 Form and contents of the arbitral award

(1) The arbitral award shall be in writing and shall be signed by all arbitrators. In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, it is sufficient that the arbitral award is signed by a majority of arbitrators, provided that the reason for any omitted signature is stated in the award.

(2) The arbitral award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the award is an arbitral award confirming a settlement pursuant to section 6-5. It shall be specified whether the decision is unanimous. If this is not the case it shall be specified who is in dissent and to which aspects the dissent relates.

(3) The arbitral award shall state its date and the place of arbitration pursuant to section 5-3(1). The arbitral award shall be deemed to have been made at such place.

(4) The signed arbitral award shall be delivered to the parties.

(5) The parties cannot derogate from the provisions in (1) and (3) by agreement.

§ 6-7 Termination of the arbitral proceedings

(1) The arbitral proceedings shall be terminated by the making of the final arbitral award or by an order of the arbitral tribunal for the termination of the arbitral proceedings in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).

(2) The arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings if the claimant withdraws the claim, unless the respondent objects to such termination and the arbitral tribunal finds that the respondent has a legitimate interest in obtaining an arbitral award.

(3) The arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings if the parties agree thereto.

(4) The arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings if it finds that the continuation of the proceedings has become unnecessary or impossible.

(5) The mandate of the arbitral tribunal terminates with the termination of the arbitral proceedings, subject to the provisions of sections 1-5(2), 6-8 and 8-3(2).

§ 6-8 Correction of the arbitral award. Supplementary award

(1) Each party may within one month of the making of the award request that the arbitral tribunal:

(a) Correct an award which due to spelling errors, arithmetic errors, typographical errors or similar obvious errors has been formulated in a way which does not reflect the intention of the arbitral tribunal, and

(b) make a supplementary award as to claims which were presented in the arbitral proceedings and which should have been decided on, but which have been omitted from the award.

(2) The request shall at the same time be sent to the other parties. The arbitral tribunal shall allow the request if it is well founded. Any correction or supplementary award shall be made within one month of the receipt of the request.

(3) The arbitral tribunal may also make corrections of its own initiative within one month of the making of the award, in which case the parties shall be notified and allowed to comment prior to the correction.

(4) The provisions of section 6-6 shall apply to correction of the arbitral award and to the making of a supplementary award.

(5) The parties cannot derogate from the opportunity to correct errors mentioned in (1)(a), by agreement.

Chapter 7. Costs

§ 7-1 Costs of the arbitral tribunal

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall determine its own fees and the settlement of its expenses, unless otherwise agreed between the arbitral tribunal and the parties. The determination shall be included in the award or in the order terminating the case. The amount shall fall due for payment one month after the making of the award or order.

(2) The parties are jointly and severally liable for the costs of the arbitral tribunal, unless otherwise agreed between the arbitral tribunal and the parties.

(3) The determination pursuant to paragraph (1) shall become enforceable unless brought before the courts within one month of the party receiving the decision on costs. If correction or the making of a supplementary award is requested or undertaken pursuant to the provisions of section 6-8, a new time limit shall apply and shall run from the date on which the party received the decision. The court shall determine the issue by way of interlocutory order. Any reduction of the costs of the arbitral tribunal shall also be given effect in respect of those parties who did not bring the issue before the courts.

§ 7-2 Allocation of costs

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall at the request of a party allocate the costs of the arbitral tribunal between the parties as it sees fit.

(2) The arbitral tribunal may at the request of a party order another party to cover all or part of the costs of the former party if it sees fit.

(3) The allocation of costs by the arbitral tribunal shall be included in the arbitral award or in the order terminating the case. The allocation of costs by the arbitral tribunal is final.

§ 7-3 Provision of security for costs

(1) The arbitral tribunal may order the parties to provide security for the costs of the arbitral tribunal, unless otherwise agreed between the arbitral tribunal and the parties. The arbitral tribunal may terminate the arbitral proceedings in full or in part if such security is not provided.

(2) If a party fails to provide security as ordered, the opposite party may provide the security in full or bring the dispute before the courts for their ruling.

Chapter 8. Invalidity

§ 8-1 Claim for setting aside of the arbitral award

An arbitral award may only be set aside as invalid by the courts by way of an action pursuant to sections 8-2 and 8-3.

§ 8-2 Grounds for invalidity

(1) An arbitral award may only be set aside by the courts if

(a) one of the parties to the arbitration agreement lacks legal capacity, or the arbitration agreement is invalid under the laws to which the parties have agreed to subject it, or, failing such agreement, under Norwegian law,

(b) the party bringing the action for setting aside was not given sufficient notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitration, or was not given an opportunity to present his views on the case,

(c) the arbitral award falls outside the scope of the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal, or

(d) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was contrary to law or the agreement of the parties, and this has had an impact on the decision.

(2) When the issue of validity of an arbitral award has been brought before the courts, the court shall of its own accord set aside the award if

(a) the dispute is not capable of being determined by arbitration under Norwegian law, or

(b) the arbitral award would be contrary to public policy (ordre public).

(3) If the invalidity only affects part of the award, only such part shall be invalid.

§ 8-3 Time limit for bringing a legal action. Dealing with the action

(1) A legal action for setting aside of an arbitral award shall be brought no later than three months after the party received the arbitral award. If the arbitral tribunal corrects an award or makes a supplementary award pursuant to section 6-8, the time limit shall run from such date. The same shall apply if the arbitral tribunal disallows the request of a party for correction or the making of a supplementary award pursuant to section 6-8.

(2) The court may, if an action has been brought pursuant to paragraph (1) and there are grounds for the arbitral award to be set aside, set aside the award and at the same time refer the case back to the arbitral tribunal for further processing and a new decision.

(3) Where an arbitral award is set aside, the arbitration agreement in question shall again become effective, unless the parties have otherwise agreed.

Chapter 9. Recognition and enforcement

§ 9-1 Recognition and enforcement

(1) An arbitral award, irrespective of the country in which it was made, shall be recognised and enforceable pursuant to this provision and section 9-2.

(2) Recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award is dependent on a party making available the original arbitral award or a certified copy thereof. Unless the arbitral award has been made in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English, the party shall also make available a certified translation thereof. Documentary proof of the existence of an agreement or other basis for arbitration may berequired.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, enforcement shall take place pursuant to the Enforcement Act (Act of 26 June 1992 No. 86).

§ 9-2 Circumstances preventing recognition and enforcement

(1) Recognition or enforcement of an arbitral award may only be refused if

(a) one of the parties to the arbitration agreement lacks legal capacity, or the arbitration agreement is invalid under the laws to which the parties have agreed to subject it, or, failing such agreement, under the law of the jurisdiction in which the arbitral award was made,

(b) the party against whom the arbitral award is being invoked was not given sufficient notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitration, or was not given an opportunity to present his views on the case,

(c) the arbitral award falls outside the scope of the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal,

(d) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was contrary to the law of the place of arbitration or the agreement of the parties, and this has had an impact on the decision, or

(e) the arbitral award is not binding on the parties, or it has been set aside, permanently or temporarily, by a court at the place of arbitration, or by a court in the jurisdiction the law of which has been applied in determining the subject matter in dispute.

(2) The courts shall of their own accord refuse to recognise and enforce of an arbitral award if:

(a) the dispute would not have been capable of being determined by arbitration under Norwegian law, or

(b) recognition or enforcement of the arbitral award would be contrary to public policy (ordre public).

(3) If the reason for refusing recognition or enforcement only affects part of the award, only such part shall be refused recognition or enforcement.

§ 9-3 Postponement and provision of security

If a legal action for setting aside of an arbitral award has been brought before a court as mentioned in section 9-2(1)(e), the court may postpone the ruling if it deems such postponement to be appropriate. The court may in such case, at the request of the party demanding recognition or enforcement, order the opposite party to provide security.

Chapter 10. Commencement and transitional provisions

§ 10-1 Commencement

This Act shall enter into force on [ . . .].

Chapter 1. General provisions

This Chapter sets out general provisions on arbitration. The most distinctive provision of the Chapter compared to the arbitration legislation of other countries is clearly the provision concerning the duty of confidentiality and public access. In this regard, the Committee points out that publication of arbitral awards is quite common in many jurisdictions, not least when applying institutional arbitration.

Chapter 2. The arbitration agreement

Special attention should be paid to section 2-2 on the arbitration agreement. As previously explained, there is no requirement that the agreement be entered into in writing. The other singular provision is the one on consumer protection. This is to a large extent based on the German Arbitration Act.

Chapter 3. The arbitral tribunal

This Chapter contains provisions on composition, appointment, challenge, arbitrators failing to perform their functions and appointment of substitute arbitrators. It is pointed out that the proposal for section 3-2 on the appointment of arbitrators differ somewhat from the norm. It should be noted, however, that the parties are free to agree to each of them appointing one arbitrator, with these arbitrators appointing the third arbitrator.

Chapter 4. The jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal

Chapter 4 provides rules on the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal. In the main, these rules correspond to those of the Model Law.

Chapter 5. The proceedings before the arbitral tribunal

Chapter 5 governs the proceedings before the arbitral tribunal. The requirement of section 5-1 that the parties be treated equally is important, and cannot be waived. Most of the other provisions are non-mandatory.

Chapter 6. Deciding on the arbitration

Chapter 6 provides rules on deciding on the arbitration. These provisions overwhelmingly reflect those of the Model Law.

Chapter 7. Costs

Provisions on costs are proposed in Chapter 7. There are rules on the entitlement to compensation and reimbursement of expenses of the arbitral tribunal, as well as on the provision of security in respect thereof. Furthermore, there are rules on the allocation of costs between the parties.

Chapter 8. Invalidity

These provisions are virtually identical to those of the Model Law.

Chapter 9. Recognition and enforcement

These provisions are virtually identical to those of the Model Law.

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

Contents

Chapter I. General provisions

Article 1. Scope of application

Article 2. Definitions and rules of interpretation

Article 3. Receipt of written communications

Article 4. Waiver of right to object

Article 5. Extent of court intervention

Article 6. Court or other authority for certain functions of arbitration assistance and supervision

Chapter II. Arbitration agreement

Article 7. Definition and form of arbitration agreement

Article 8. Arbitration and substantive claim before court

Article 9. Arbitration agreement and interim measures by court

Chapter III. Composition of arbitral tribunal

Article 10. Number of arbitrators

Article 11. Appointment of arbitrators

Article 12. Grounds for challenge

Article 13. Challenge procedure

Article 14. Failure or impossibility to act

Article 15. Appointment of substitute arbitrator

Chapter IV. Jurisdiction of arbitral tribunal

Article 16. Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction

Article 17. Power of arbitral tribunal to order interim measures

Chapter V. Conduct of arbitral proceedings

Article 18. Equal treatment of parties

Article 19. Determination of rules of procedure

Article 20. Place of arbitration

Article 21. Commencement of arbitral proceedings

Article 22. Language

Article 23. Statements of claim and defence

Article 24. Hearings and written proceedings

Article 25. Default of a party

Article 26. Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal

Article 27. Court assistance in taking evidence

Chapter VI. Making of award and termination of proceedings

Article 28. Rules applicable to substance of dispute

Article 29. Decision making by panel of arbitrators

Article 30. Settlement

Article 31. Form and contents of award

Article 32. Termination of proceedings

Article 33. Correction and interpretation of award; additional award

Chapter VII. Recourse against award

Article 34. Application for setting aside as exclusive recourse against arbitral award

Chapter VIII. Recognition and enforcement of awards

Article 35. Recognition and enforcement

Article 36. Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement

(As adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on 21 June 1985)

Chapter I

General provisions

Article 1. Scope of application

(1) This Law applies to international commercial arbitration, subject to any agreement in force between this State and any other State or States.

(2) The provisions of this Law, except articles 8, 9, 35 and 36, apply only if the place of arbitration is in the territory of this State.

(3) An arbitration is international if:

(a) the parties to an arbitration agreement have, at the time of the conclusion of that agreement, their places of business in different States; or

(b) one of the following places is situated outside the State in which the parties have their places of business:

(i) the place of arbitration if determined in, or pursuant to, the arbitration agreement;

(ii) any place where a substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship is to be performed or the place with which the subject-matter of the dispute is most closely connected; or

(c) the parties have expressly agreed that the subject-matter of the arbitration agreement relates to more than one country.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3) of this article:

(a) if a party has more than one place of business, the place of business is that which has the closest relationship to the arbitration agreement;

(b) if a party does not have a place of business, reference is to be made to his habitual residence.

(5) This Law shall not affect any other law of this State by virtue of which certain disputes may not be submitted to arbitration or may be submitted to arbitration only according to provisions other than those of this Law.

Article 2. Definitions and rules of interpretation

For the purposes of this Law:

(a) «arbitration» means any arbitration whether or not administered by a permanent arbitral institution;

(b) «arbitral tribunal» means a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators;

(c) «court» means a body or organ of the judicial system of a State;

(d) where a provision of this Law, except article 28, leaves the parties free to determine a certain issue, such freedom includes the right of the parties to authorize a third party, including an institution, to make that determination;

(e) where a provision of this Law refers to the fact that the parties have agreed or that they may agree or in any other way refers to an agreement of the parties, such agreement includes any arbitration rules referred to in that agreement;

(f) where a provision of this Law, other than in articles 25(a) and 32(2)(a), refers to a claim, it also applies to a counter-claim, and where it refers to a defence, it also applies to a defence to such counter-claim.

Article 3. Receipt of written communications

(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties:

(a) any written communication is deemed to have been received if it is delivered to the addressee personally or if it is delivered at his place of business, habitual residence or mailing address; if none of these can be found after making a reasonable inquiry, a written communication is deemed to have been received if it is sent to the addressee's last-known place of business, habitual residence or mailing address by registered letter or any other means which provides a record of the attempt to deliver it;

(b) the communication is deemed to have been received on the day it is so delivered.

(2) The provisions of this article do not apply to communications in court proceedings.

Article 4. Waiver of right to object

A party who knows that any provision of this Law from which the parties may derogate or any requirement under the arbitration agreement has not been complied with and yet proceeds with the arbitration without stating his objection to such non-compliance without undue delay or, if a time-limit is provided therefor, within such period of time, shall be deemed to have waived his right to object.

Article 5. Extent of court intervention

In matters governed by this Law, no court shall intervene except where so provided in this Law.

Article 6. Court or other authority for certain functions of arbitration assistance and supervision

The functions referred to in articles 11(3), 11(4), 13(3), 14, 16(3) and 34(2) shall be performed by ... [Each State enacting this model law specifies the court, courts or, where referred to therein, other authority competent to perform these functions.]

Chapter II

Arbitration agreement

Article 7. Definition and form of arbitration agreement

(1) «Arbitration agreement» is an agreement by the parties to submit to arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not. An arbitration agreement may be in the form of an arbitration clause in a contract or in the form of a separate agreement.

(2) The arbitration agreement shall be in writing. An agreement is in writing if it is contained in a document signed by the parties or in an exchange of letters, telex, telegrams or other means of telecommunication which provide a record of the agreement, or in an exchange of statements of claim and defence in which the existence of an agreement is alleged by one party and not denied by another. The reference in a contract to a document containing an arbitration clause constitutes an arbitration agreement provided that the contract is in writing and the reference is such as to make that clause part of the contract.

Article 8. Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court

(1) A court before which an action is brought in a matter which is the subject of an arbitration agreement shall, if a party so requests not later than when submitting his first statement on the substance of the dispute, refer the parties to arbitration unless it finds that the agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed.

(2) Where an action referred to in paragraph (1) of this article has been brought, arbitral proceedings may nevertheless be commenced or continued, and an award may be made, while the issue is pending before the court.

Article 9. Arbitration agreement and interim measures by court

It is not incompatible with an arbitration agreement for a party to request, before or during arbitral proceedings, from a court an interim measure of protection and for a court to grant such measure.

Chapter III

Composition of arbitral tribunal

Article 10. Number of arbitrators

(1) The parties are free to determine the number of arbitrators.

(2) Failing such determination, the number of arbitrators shall be three.

Article 11. Appointment of arbitrators

(1) No person shall be precluded by reason of his nationality from acting as an arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

(2) The parties are free to agree on a procedure of appointing the arbitrator or arbitrators, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this article.

(3) Failing such agreement,

(a) in an arbitration with three arbitrators, each party shall appoint one arbitrator, and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall appoint the third arbitrator; if a party fails to appoint the arbitrator within thirty days of receipt of a request to do so from the other party, or if the two arbitrators fail to agree on the third arbitrator within thirty days of their appointment, the appointment shall be made, upon request of a party, by the court or other authority specified in article 6;

(b) in an arbitration with a sole arbitrator, if the parties are unable to agree on the arbitrator, he shall be appointed, upon request of a party, by the court or other authority specified in article 6. (4) Where, under an appointment procedure agreed upon by the parties,

(a) a party fails to act as required under such procedure, or

(b) the parties, or two arbitrators, are unable to reach an agreement expected of them under such procedure, or

(c) a third party, including an institution, fails to perform any function entrusted to it under such procedure,

any party may request the court or other authority specified in article 6 to take the necessary measure, unless the agreement on the appointment procedure provides other means for securing the appointment.

(5) A decision on a matter entrusted by paragraph (3) or (4) of this article to the court or other authority specified in article 6 shall be subject to no appeal. The court or other authority, in appointing an arbitrator, shall have due regard to any qualifications required of the arbitrator by the agreement of the parties and to such considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator and, in the case of a sole or third arbitrator, shall take into account as well the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality other than those of the parties.

Article 12. Grounds for challenge

(1) When a person is approached in connection with his possible appointment as an arbitrator, he shall disclose any circumstances likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence. An arbitrator, from the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings, shall without delay disclose any such circumstances to the parties unless they have already been informed of them by him.

(2) An arbitrator may be challenged only if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence, or if he does not possess qualifications agreed to by the parties. A party may challenge an arbitrator appointed by him, or in whose appointment he has participated, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment has been made.

Article 13. Challenge procedure

(1) The parties are free to agree on a procedure for challenging an arbitrator, subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this article.

(2) Failing such agreement, a party who intends to challenge an arbitrator shall, within fifteen days after becoming aware of the constitution of the arbitral tribunal or after becoming aware of any circumstance referred to in article 12(2), send a written statement of the reasons for the challenge to the arbitral tribunal. Unless the challenged arbitrator withdraws from his office or the other party agrees to the challenge, the arbitral tribunal shall decide on the challenge.

(3) If a challenge under any procedure agreed upon by the parties or under the procedure of paragraph (2) of this article is not successful, the challenging party may request, within thirty days after having received notice of the decision rejecting the challenge, the court or other authority specified in article 6 to decide on the challenge, which decision shall be subject to no appeal; while such a request is pending, the arbitral tribunal, including the challenged arbitrator, may continue the arbitral proceedings and make an award.

Article 14. Failure or impossibility to act

(1) If an arbitrator becomes de jure or de facto unable to perform his functions or for other reasons fails to act without undue delay, his mandate terminates if he withdraws from his office or if the parties agree on the termination. Otherwise, if a controversy remains concerning any of these grounds, any party may request the court or other authority specified in article 6 to decide on the termination of the mandate, which decision shall be subject to no appeal.

(2) If, under this article or article 13(2), an arbitrator withdraws from his office or a party agrees to the termination of the mandate of an arbitrator, this does not imply acceptance of the validity of any ground referred to in this article or article 12(2).

Article 15. Appointment of substitute arbitrator

Where the mandate of an arbitrator terminates under article 13 or 14 or because of his withdrawal from office for any other reason or because of the revocation of his mandate by agreement of the parties or in any other case of termination of his mandate, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed according to the rules that were applicable to the appointment of the arbitrator being replaced.

Chapter IV

Jurisdiction of arbitral tribunal

Article 16. Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction

(1) The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction, including any objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement. For that purpose, an arbitration clause which forms part of a contract 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.

(2) A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall be raised not later than the submission of the statement of defence. A party is not precluded from raising such a plea by the fact that he has appointed, or participated in the appointment of, an arbitrator. A plea that the arbitral tribunal is exceeding the scope of its authority shall be raised as soon as the matter alleged to be beyond the scope of its authority is raised during the arbitral proceedings. The arbitral tribunal may, in either case, admit a later plea if it considers the delay justified.

(3) The arbitral tribunal may rule on a plea referred to in paragraph (2) of this article either as a preliminary question or in an award on the merits. If the arbitral tribunal rules as a preliminary question that it has jurisdiction, any party may request, within thirty days after having received notice of that ruling, the court specified in article 6 to decide the matter, which decision shall be subject to no appeal; while such a request is pending, the arbitral tribunal may continue the arbitral proceedings and make an award.

Article 17. Power of arbitral tribunal to order interim measures

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may, at the request of a party, order any party to take such interim measure of protection as the arbitral tribunal may consider necessary in respect of the subject-matter of the dispute. The arbitral tribunal may require any party to provide appropriate security in connection with such measure.

Chapter V

Conduct of arbitral proceedings

Article 18. Equal treatment of parties

The parties shall be treated with equality and each party shall be given a full opportunity of presenting his case.

Article 19. Determination of rules of procedure

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Law, the parties are free to agree on the procedure to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in conducting the proceedings.

(2) Failing such agreement, the arbitral tribunal may, subject to the provisions of this Law, conduct the arbitration in such manner as it considers appropriate. The power conferred upon the arbitral tribunal includes the power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality and weight of any evidence.

Article 20. Place of arbitration

(1) The parties are free to agree on the place of arbitration. Failing such agreement, the place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the convenience of the parties.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this article, the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for inspection of goods, other property or documents.

Article 21. Commencement of arbitral proceedings

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular dispute commence on the date on which a request for that dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent.

Article 22. Language

(1) The parties are free to agree on the language or languages to be used in the arbitral proceedings. Failing such agreement, the arbitral tribunal shall determine the language or languages to be used in the proceedings. This agreement or determination, unless otherwise specified therein, shall apply to any written statement by a party, any hearing and any award, decision or other communication by the arbitral tribunal.

(2) The arbitral tribunal may order that any documentary evidence shall be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal.

Article 23. Statements of claim and defence

(1) Within the period of time agreed by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state the facts supporting his claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy sought, and the respondent shall state his defence in respect of these particulars, unless the parties have otherwise agreed as to the required elements of such statements. The parties may submit with their statements all documents they consider to be relevant or may add a reference to the documents or other evidence they will submit.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, either party may amend or supplement his claim or defence during the course of the arbitral proceedings, unless the arbitral tribunal considers it inappropriate to allow such amendment having regard to the delay in making it.

Article 24. Hearings and written proceedings

(1) Subject to any contrary agreement by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall decide whether to hold oral hearings for the presentation of evidence or for oral argument, or whether the proceedings shall be conducted on the basis of documents and other materials. However, unless the parties have agreed that no hearings shall be held, the arbitral tribunal shall hold such hearings at an appropriate stage of the proceedings, if so requested by a party.

(2) The parties shall be given sufficient advance notice of any hearing and of any meeting of the arbitral tribunal for the purposes of inspection of goods, other property or documents.

(3) All statements, documents or other information supplied to the arbitral tribunal by one party shall be communicated to the other party. Also any expert report or evidentiary document on which the arbitral tribunal may rely in making its decision shall be communicated to the parties.

Article 25. Default of a party

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if, without showing sufficient cause,

(a) the claimant fails to communicate his statement of claim in accordance with article 23(1), the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings;

(b) the respondent fails to communicate his statement of defence in accordance with article 23(1), the arbitral tribunal shall continue the proceedings without treating such failure in itself as an admission of the claimant's allegations;

(c) any party fails to appear at a hearing or to produce documentary evidence, the arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings and make the award on the evidence before it.

Article 26. Expert appointed by arbitral tribunal

(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal

(a) may appoint one or more experts to report to it on specific issues to be determined by the arbitral tribunal;

(b) may require a party to give the expert any relevant information or to produce, or to provide access to, any relevant documents, goods or other property for his inspection.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party so requests or if the arbitral tribunal considers it necessary, the expert shall, after delivery of his written or oral report, participate in a hearing where the parties have the opportunity to put questions to him and to present expert witnesses in order to testify on the points at issue.

Article 27. Court assistance in taking evidence

The arbitral tribunal or a party with the approval of the arbitral tribunal may request from a competent court of this State assistance in taking evidence. The court may execute the request within its competence and according to its rules on taking evidence.

Chapter VI

Making of award and termination of proceedings

Article 28. Rules applicable to substance of dispute

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance with such rules of law as are chosen by the parties as applicable to the substance of the dispute. Any designation of the law or legal system of a given State shall be construed, unless otherwise expressed, as directly referring to the substantive law of that State and not to its conflict of laws rules.

(2) Failing any designation by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall apply the law determined by the conflict of laws rules which it considers applicable.

(3) The arbitral tribunal shall decide ex aequo et bono or as amiable compositeur only if the parties have expressly authorized it to do so.

(4) 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.

Article 29. Decision making by panel of arbitrators

In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, any decision of the arbitral tribunal shall be made, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, by a majority of all its members. However, questions of procedure may be decided by a presiding arbitrator, if so authorized by the parties or all members of the arbitral tribunal.

Article 30. Settlement

(1) If, during arbitral proceedings, the parties settle the dispute, the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings and, if requested by the parties and not objected to by the arbitral tribunal, record the settlement in the form of an arbitral award on agreed terms.

(2) An award on agreed terms shall be made in accordance with the provisions of article 31 and shall state that it is an award. Such an award has the same status and effect as any other award on the merits of the case.

Article 31. Form and contents of award

(1) The award shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators. In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, the signatures of the majority of all members of the arbitral tribunal shall suffice, provided that the reason for any omitted signature is stated.

(2) The award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given or the award is an award on agreed terms under article 30.

(3) The award shall state its date and the place of arbitration as determined in accordance with article 20(1). The award shall be deemed to have been made at that place.

(4) After the award is made, a copy signed by the arbitrators in accordance with paragraph (1) of this article shall be delivered to each party.

Article 32. Termination of proceedings

(1) The arbitral proceedings are terminated by the final award or by an order of the arbitral tribunal in accordance with paragraph (2) of this article.

(2) The arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings when:

(a) the claimant withdraws his claim, unless the respondent objects thereto and the arbitral tribunal recognizes a legitimate interest on his part in obtaining a final settlement of the dispute;

(b) the parties agree on the termination of the proceedings;

(c) the arbitral tribunal finds that the continuation of the proceedings has for any other reason become unnecessary or impossible.

(3) The mandate of the arbitral tribunal terminates with the termination of the arbitral proceedings, subject to the provisions of articles 33 and 34(4).

Article 33. Correction and interpretation of award; additional award

(1) Within thirty days of receipt of the award, unless another period of time has been agreed upon by the parties:

(a) a 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;

(b) if so agreed by the parties, a party, with notice to the other party, may request the arbitral tribunal to give an interpretation of a specific point or part of the award.

If the arbitral tribunal considers the request to be justified, it shall make the correction or give the interpretation within thirty days of receipt of the request. The interpretation shall form part of the award.

(2) The arbitral tribunal may correct any error of the type referred to in paragraph (1)(a) of this article on its own initiative within thirty days of the date of the award.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party, with notice to the other party, may request, within thirty days of receipt of the award, the arbitral tribunal to make an additional award as to claims presented in the arbitral proceedings but omitted from the award. If the arbitral tribunal considers the request to be justified, it shall make the additional award within sixty days.

(4) The arbitral tribunal may extend, if necessary, the period of time within which it shall make a correction, interpretation or an additional award under paragraph (1) or (3) of this article.

(5) The provisions of article 31 shall apply to a correction or interpretation of the award or to an additional award.

Chapter VII

Recourse against award

Article 34. Application for setting aside as exclusive recourse against arbitral award

(1) Recourse to a court against an arbitral award may be made only by an application for setting aside in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of this article.

(2) An arbitral award may be set aside by the court specified in article 6 only if:

(a) the party making the application furnishes proof that:

(i) a party to the arbitration agreement referred to in article 7 was under some incapacity; or the said agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication thereon, under the law of this State; or

(ii) the party making the application was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or

(iii) the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or contains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration, provided that, if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those not so submitted, only that part of the award which contains decisions on matters not submitted to arbitration may be set aside; or

(iv) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, unless such agreement was in conflict with a provision of this Law from which the parties cannot derogate, or, failing such agreement, was not in accordance with this Law; or

(b) the court finds that:

(i) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law of this State; or

(ii) the award is in conflict with the public policy of this State.

(3) An application for setting aside may not be made after three months have elapsed from the date on which the party making that application had received the award or, if a request had been made under article 33, from the date on which that request had been disposed of by the arbitral tribunal.

(4) The court, when asked to set aside an award, may, where appropriate and so requested by a party, suspend the setting aside proceedings for a period of time determined by it in order to give the arbitral tribunal an opportunity to resume the arbitral proceedings or to take such other action as in the arbitral tribunal's opinion will eliminate the grounds for setting aside.

Chapter VIII

Recognition and enforcement of awards

Article 35. Recognition and enforcement

(1) An arbitral award, irrespective of the country in which it was made, shall be recognized as binding and, upon application in writing to the competent court, shall be enforced subject to the provisions of this article and of article 36.

(2) The party relying on an award or applying for its enforcement shall supply the duly authenticated original award or a duly certified copy thereof, and the original arbitration agreement referred to in article 7 or a duly certified copy thereof. If the award or agreement is not made in an official language of this State, the party shall supply a duly certified translation thereof into such language.

Article 36. Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement

(1) Recognition or enforcement of an arbitral award, irrespective of the country in which it was made, may be refused only:

(a) at the request of the party against whom it is invoked, if that party furnishes to the competent court where recognition or enforcement is sought proof that:

(i) a party to the arbitration agreement referred to in article 7 was under some incapacity; or the said agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication thereon, under the law of the country where the award was made; or

(ii) the party against whom the award is invoked was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or

(iii) the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or it contains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the submission toarbitration, provided that, if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those not so submitted, that part of the award which contains decisions on matters submitted to arbitration may be recognized and enforced; or

(iv) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties or, failing such agreement, was not in accordance with the law of the country where the arbitration took place; or

(v) the award has not yet become binding on the parties or has been set aside or suspended by a court of the country in which, or under the law of which, that award was made; or

(b) if the court finds that:

(i) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law of this State; or

(ii) the recognition or enforcement of the award would be contrary to the public policy of this State.

(2) If an application for setting aside or suspension of an award has been made to a court referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(v) of this article, the court where recognition or enforcement is sought may, if it considers it proper, adjourn its decision and may also, on the application of the party claiming recognition or enforcement of the award, order the other party to provide appropriate security.

Skiljeavtalet

1 § Tvister i frågor som parterna kan träffa förlikning om får genom avtal lämnas till avgörande av en eller flera skiljemän. Ett sådant avtal kan avse framtida tvister om ett rättsförhållande som är angivet i avtalet. Tvisten får avse förekomsten av en viss omständighet.

Parterna får låta skiljemännen komplettera avtal utöver vad som följer av tolkning av avtal.

Skiljemän får pröva konkurrensrättens civilrättsliga verkningar mellan parterna.

2 § Skiljemännen får pröva sin egen behörighet att avgöra tvisten. Detta hindrar inte en domstol från att på begäran av en part pröva frågan. Skiljemännen får fortsätta skiljeförfarandet i avvaktan på domstolens avgörande.

Även om skiljemännen i ett beslut under förfarandet funnit att de är behöriga att avgöra tvisten är deras beslut inte bindande. I fråga om talan mot en skiljedom som innefattar ett avgörande om behörigheten gäller bestämmelserna i 34 och 36 §§.

3 § När giltigheten av ett skiljeavtal som utgör en del av ett annat avtal skall bedömas vid prövningen av skiljemännens behörighet, skall skiljeavtalet anses som ett särskilt avtal.

4 § En domstol får inte mot en parts bestridande pröva en fråga som enligt ett skiljeavtal skall prövas av skiljemän.

En invändning om skiljeavtal skall framställas första gången en part skall föra talan i saken vid rätten. Invändningar som framställs senare är utan verkan om inte parten har haft laga förfall och framställt invändningen så snart förfallet upphörde. En invändning om skiljeavtal skall beaktas även om den part som gör invändningen låtit en fråga som omfattas av skiljeavtalet prövas av kronofogdemyndighet i ett mål om betalningsföreläggande eller handräckning.

Under tiden tvisten behandlas av skiljemän eller innan dess får en domstol oberoende av skiljeavtalet meddela sådana beslut om säkerhetsåtgärder som domstolen enligt lag är behörig att meddela.

5 § En part förlorar sin rätt att åberopa skiljeavtalet som hinder för rättegång, om parten

1. har bestritt en begäran om skiljedom,

2. låter bli att i rätt tid utse skiljeman, eller

3. inte i rätt tid ställer sin andel av begärd säkerhet för ersättningen till skiljemännen.

6 § Rör en tvist mellan en näringsidkare och en konsument en vara, en tjänst eller någon annan nyttighet som tillhandahållits för huvudsakligen enskilt bruk, får ett skiljeavtal inte göras gällande, om det träffats innan tvisten uppstod. Dock gäller sådana avtal i hyres- eller arrendeförhållanden, om genom dem en hyres- eller arrendenämnd utsetts till skiljenämnd och något annat inte följer av bestämmelserna i 8 kap. 28 § eller 12 kap. 66 § jordabalken.

Första stycket gäller inte om tvisten rör avtal mellan försäkringsgivare och försäkringstagare om försäkring som grundas på kollektivavtal eller som grundas på gruppavtal och handhas av företrädare för gruppen. Första stycket gäller inte heller om annat följer av Sveriges internationella förpliktelser.

Skiljemännen

7 § Var och en som råder över sig själv och sin egendom kan vara skiljeman.

8 § En skiljeman skall vara opartisk.

En skiljeman skall på yrkande av en part skiljas från sitt uppdrag, om det finns någon omständighet som kan rubba förtroendet för skiljemannens opartiskhet. En sådan omständighet skall alltid anses föreligga

1. om skiljemannen själv eller någon närstående till skiljemannen är part eller annars kan vänta beaktansvärd nytta eller skada av tvistens utgång,

2. om skiljemannen eller någon närstående till skiljemannen är ledamot av styrelsen för ett bolag eller någon annan sammanslutning som är part eller annars är ställföreträdare för en part eller för någon annan som kan vänta beaktansvärd nytta eller skada av tvistens utgång,

3. om skiljemannen som sakkunnig eller annars har tagit ställning i tvisten eller hjälpt en part att förbereda eller utföra sin talan i tvisten, eller

4. om skiljemannen har mottagit eller förbehållit sig ersättning i strid med 39 § andra stycket.

9 § Den som ombeds att åta sig ett uppdrag som skiljeman skall genast uppge alla omständigheter som enligt 7 eller 8 § kan tänkas hindra den vidtalade från att vara skiljeman. En skiljeman skall upplysa parterna och övriga skiljemän om sådana omständigheter så snart alla skiljemän har utsetts och därefter under skiljeförfarandet så snart skiljemannen har fått kännedom om någon ny omständighet.

10 § Ett yrkande om att en skiljeman skall skiljas från sitt uppdrag på grund av en omständighet som anges i 8 § skall framställas inom femton dagar från det att parten fick kännedom såväl om att skiljemannen har utsetts som om omständigheten. Yrkandet prövas av skiljemännen, om parterna inte har bestämt att det skall prövas av någon annan.

Bifalls yrkandet får beslutet inte angripas.

En part som är missnöjd med ett beslut genom vilket ett yrkande ogillats eller avvisats som för sent framställt, får hos tingsrätten ansöka om att skiljemannen skall skiljas från uppdraget. Ansökan skall göras inom trettio dagar från den dag då parten fick del av beslutet. Skiljemännen får fortsätta skiljeförfarandet i avvaktan på tingsrättens avgörande.

11 § Parterna får bestämma att ett yrkande som anges i 10 § första stycket skall prövas slutligt av ett skiljedomsinstitut.

12 § Parterna får bestämma hur många skiljemännen skall vara och hur de skall utses.

Om parterna inte har bestämt något annat gäller 13-16 §§.

Tingsrätten skall utse skiljemän även i andra fall än som anges i 14-17 §§, om parterna har bestämt det och någon av parterna ansöker om det.

13 § Skiljemännen skall vara tre. Vardera parten väljer en skiljeman och de valda utser den tredje.

14 § Skall parterna var för sig välja skiljeman och har den ena parten i en begäran om skiljedom enligt 19 § underrättat motparten om sitt val av skiljeman, är motparten skyldig att inom trettio dagar från mottagandet av underrättelsen skriftligen underrätta den första parten om sitt val av skiljeman.

En part som på detta sätt har underrättat motparten om sitt val av skiljeman får inte utan motpartens samtycke återkalla valet.

Låter motparten bli att utse skiljeman inom den angivna tiden, skall tingsrätten på ansökan av den första parten utse skiljeman.

15 § Skall en skiljeman utses av andra skiljemän men låter de bli att göra det inom trettio dagar från det att den sista av dem blev vald, skall tingsrätten på ansökan av en part utse skiljemannen.

Skall en skiljeman utses av någon annan än en part eller skiljemän, men görs inte det inom trettio dagar från det att en part som önskar att skiljeman utses uppmanat den som skall utse skiljeman att göra det, skall tingsrätten på ansökan av en part utse skiljemannen. Detsamma gäller, om en skiljeman skall utses av parterna gemensamt men de inte har enats inom trettio dagar från det att frågan väckts genom att den ena parten mottagit en underrättelse från motparten.

16 § Om en skiljeman avgår eller skiljs från uppdraget, skall tingsrätten på ansökan av en part utse en ny skiljeman. Om skiljemannen inte kan fullgöra uppdraget på grund av omständigheter som uppkommit efter valet, skall i stället den som ursprungligen haft att göra valet utse en ny skiljeman. Vid detta val tillämpas 14 och 15 §§. Tiden för att utse en ny skiljeman är även för den part som begärt skiljedomen trettio dagar och räknas för alla från det att den som skall utse skiljemannen har fått kännedom om det.

17 § Har en skiljeman försenat förfarandet skall tingsrätten på ansökan av en part skilja skiljemannen från uppdraget och utse en annan skiljeman. Parterna får bestämma att en sådan begäran i stället skall prövas slutligt av ett skiljedomsinstitut.

18 § När en part har ansökt om att tingsrätten skall utse en skiljeman enligt 12 § tredje stycket eller 14-17 §§ får domstolen endast om det är uppenbart avslå ansökan på den grunden att lagliga förutsättningar för skiljeförfarande saknas.

Förfarandet

19 § Har parterna inte bestämt något annat inleds skiljeförfarandet när en part tar emot en begäran om skiljedom enligt andra stycket.

En begäran om skiljedom skall vara skriftlig och innehålla

1. en uttrycklig och villkorslös begäran om skiljedom,

2. uppgift om den fråga som omfattas av skiljeavtalet och som skiljemännen skall pröva, och

3. uppgift om partens val när parten skall utse skiljeman.

20 § Är skiljemännen flera skall en av dem utses till ordförande. Har parterna eller skiljemännen inte bestämt annat, skall den skiljeman vara ordförande som de andra skiljemännen eller, i deras ställe, tingsrätten har utsett.

21 § Skiljemännen skall handlägga tvisten opartiskt, ändamålsenligt och snabbt. De skall därvid följa vad parterna har bestämt, om det inte finns något hinder mot det.

22 § Parterna bestämmer platsen för förfarandet. Annars bestämmer skiljemännen platsen för förfarandet.

Skiljemännen får hålla sammanträde på annan plats i Sverige eller utomlands om inte parterna har bestämt något annat.

23 § Den part som begär skiljedom skall inom den tid som skiljemännen bestämmer ange sina yrkanden i den fråga som har uppgetts i begäran om skiljedom och de omständigheter som parten åberopar till stöd för dem. Motparten skall därefter inom den tid som skiljemännen bestämmer ange sin inställning till yrkandena och de omständigheter som motparten åberopar till stöd för den.

Den part som begär skiljedom får framställa nya yrkanden och motparten egna yrkanden, om yrkandena omfattas av skiljeavtalet och skiljemännen inte med hänsyn till den tidpunkt då de framställs eller andra omständigheter anser det olämpligt att de prövas. Under samma förutsättningar får var och en av parterna under skiljeförfarandet ändra eller komplettera tidigare framställda yrkanden och åberopa nya omständigheter till stöd för sin talan.

Första och andra styckena gäller inte om parterna har bestämt något annat.

24 § Skiljemännen skall ge parterna tillfälle att i all behövlig omfattning utföra sin talan skriftligt eller muntligt. Inför avgörandet av en till skiljemännen överlämnad fråga skall muntlig förhandling hållas, om en part begär det och parterna inte har bestämt något annat.

En part skall ges möjlighet att ta del av alla handlingar och allt annat material som rör tvisten och som tillförs skiljemännen från motparten eller någon annan.

Om en part utan giltigt skäl uteblir från en förhandling eller låter bli att i något annat hänseende iaktta ett föreläggande av skiljemännen, är detta inte hinder mot att handläggningen fortsätter och att tvisten avgörs på det material som finns.

25 § Parterna skall svara för bevisningen. Skiljemännen får dock utse sakkunniga, om inte båda parterna motsätter sig detta.

Skiljemännen får avvisa erbjuden bevisning, om den uppenbart saknar betydelse i tvisten eller om det är motiverat med hänsyn till den tidpunkt då bevisningen åberopas.

Skiljemännen får inte ta upp ed eller sanningsförsäkran. De får inte heller förelägga vite eller annars använda tvångsmedel för att skaffa in begärd bevisning.

Om inte parterna har överenskommit något annat får skiljemännen på begäran av en part bestämma att motparten under förfarandets gång skall vidta en viss åtgärd för att säkerställa det anspråk som skall prövas av skiljemännen. Skiljemännen får föreskriva att den part som begär åtgärden skall ställa skälig säkerhet för den skada som kan tillfogas motparten genom åtgärden.

26 § Om en part vill att ett vittne eller en sakkunnig skall höras under ed eller en part höras under sanningsförsäkran, får parten efter tillstånd av skiljemännen göra ansökan om det hos tingsrätten. Detsamma gäller om en part vill att det skall föreläggas en part eller någon annan att som bevis tillhandahålla en skriftlig handling eller ett föremål. Anser skiljemännen att åtgärden är befogad med hänsyn till utredningen, skall de lämna tillstånd till ansökan. Finns det lagliga förutsättningar för åtgärden, skall tingsrätten bifalla ansökan.

Reglerna i rättegångsbalken tillämpas i fråga om en åtgärd som avses i första stycket. Skiljemännen skall kallas till ett förhör med ett vittne, en sakkunnig eller en part och ges tillfälle att ställa frågor. Om en skiljeman uteblir från förhöret utgör detta inte hinder för att förhöret genomförs.

Skiljedomen

27 § De frågor som har lämnats till skiljemännen avgörs genom skiljedom. Avslutar skiljemännen skiljeförfarandet utan att avgöra dessa frågor sker det också genom skiljedom.

Om parterna förliks får skiljemännen på deras begäran stadfästa förlikningen i en skiljedom.

Andra avgöranden, som inte tas in i en skiljedom, betecknas beslut.

Skiljemännens uppdrag anses slutfört när de har meddelat slutlig skiljedom, om inte annat följer av 32 eller 35 §.

28 § Återkallar ena parten ett yrkande skall skiljemännen avskriva tvisten i denna del om inte motparten begär att skiljemännen skall pröva yrkandet.

29 § En del av tvisten eller en viss fråga av betydelse för tvistens bedömning får avgöras genom särskild skiljedom, om inte båda parterna motsätter sig det. En fordran som åberopas till kvittning skall dock prövas i samma skiljedom som huvudfordringen.

Har en part helt eller delvis medgett ett yrkande får särskild skiljedom meddelas över det som har medgetts.

30 § Om en skiljeman utan giltigt skäl låter bli att delta i skiljenämndens prövning av en fråga, är detta inte något hinder mot att övriga skiljemän avgör frågan.

Har parterna inte bestämt något annat, skall som skiljenämndens mening gälla den mening som flertalet av de skiljemän som deltar i avgörandet enas om. Uppnås inte majoritet för någon mening, skall den mening gälla som ordföranden företräder.

31 § En skiljedom skall vara skriftlig och undertecknas av skiljemännen. Det är tillräckligt att domen är undertecknad av flertalet skiljemän om orsaken till att inte samtliga skiljemän undertecknat skiljedomen är angiven i denna. Parterna får bestämma att skiljenämndens ordförande ensam undertecknar skiljedomen.

I skiljedomen skall dagen för dess meddelande och platsen för skiljeförfarandet anges.

Skiljedomen skall genast tillställas parterna.

32 § Om skiljemännen finner att en skiljedom innehåller någon uppenbar oriktighet till följd av skiljemännens eller någon annans skrivfel, räknefel eller liknande förbiseende eller om skiljemännen av förbiseende inte har avgjort en fråga som skulle ha behandlats i skiljedomen, får de inom trettio dagar från dagen för skiljedomens meddelande besluta om rättelse eller komplettera domen. De får också rätta eller komplettera en skiljedom eller tolka domslutet i en skiljedom om någon av parterna begär det inom trettio dagar från det att parten har fått del av domen.

Om skiljemännen på någon av parternas begäran beslutar om rättelse eller om tolkning av domslutet i en skiljedom, skall det ske inom trettio dagar från det att skiljemännen tog emot en parts begäran om det. Om skiljemännen beslutar att komplettera domen, skall det ske inom sextio dagar.

Innan skiljemännen fattar ett beslut enligt denna paragraf, bör parterna ges tillfälle att yttra sig över åtgärden.

Skiljedoms ogiltighet och upphävande av skiljedom

33 § En skiljedom är ogiltig

1. om den innefattar prövning av en fråga som enligt svensk lag inte får avgöras av skiljemän,

2. om skiljedomen eller det sätt på vilket skiljedomen tillkommit är uppenbart oförenligt med grunderna för rättsordningen i Sverige, eller

3. om skiljedomen inte uppfyller föreskrifterna om skriftlighet och undertecknande i 31 § första stycket.

Ogiltigheten kan gälla en viss del av skiljedomen.

34 § En skiljedom som inte kan angripas enligt 36 § skall efter klander helt eller delvis upphävas på talan av en part

1. om den inte omfattas av ett giltigt skiljeavtal mellan parterna,

2. om skiljemännen har meddelat dom efter utgången av den tid som parterna bestämt eller om de annars har överskridit sitt uppdrag,

3. om skiljeförfarande enligt 47 § inte borde ha ägt rum i Sverige,

4. om en skiljeman har utsetts i strid med parternas överenskommelse eller denna lag,

5. om en skiljeman på grund av någon omständighet som anges i 7 eller 8 § har varit obehörig, eller

6. om det annars, utan partens vållande, i handläggningen har förekommit något fel som sannolikt har inverkat på utgången.

En part har inte rätt att åberopa en omständighet som han genom att delta i förfarandet utan invändning eller på annat sätt får anses ha avstått från att göra gällande. Enbart genom att parten har utsett skiljeman skall han inte anses ha godtagit skiljemännens behörighet att avgöra den hänskjutna frågan. Att en part kan ha förlorat rätten enligt första stycket 5 att åberopa en omständighet som anges i 8 § följer av 10 och 11 §§.

Talan skall väckas inom tre månader från den dag då parten fick del av skiljedomen eller, om rättelse, komplettering eller tolkning enligt 32 § har ägt rum, inom tre månader från den dag då parten fick del av skiljedomen i dess slutliga lydelse. En part får efter fristens utgång inte åberopa en ny klandergrund till stöd för sin talan.

35 § En domstol får under viss tid skjuta upp ett mål om en skiljedoms ogiltighet eller om upphävande av en skiljedom för att ge skiljemännen tillfälle att återuppta skiljeförfarandet eller vidta någon annan åtgärd som enligt skiljemännens mening undanröjer grunden för ogiltigheten eller upphävandet,

1. om domstolen har funnit att talan i målet skall bifallas och ena parten har begärt uppskov, eller

2. om båda parter har begärt uppskov.

Meddelar skiljemännen en ny skiljedom, får en part inom den tid som domstolen bestämmer utan stämningsansökan klandra skiljedomen i den mån det föranleds av det återupptagna förfarandet eller av en ändring av den första skiljedomen. Lag (2000:180).

36 § En skiljedom som innebär att skiljemännen avslutat förfarandet utan att pröva de frågor som lämnats till avgörande av dem får helt eller delvis ändras på talan av en part. Talan skall väckas inom tre månader från den dag då parten fick del av domen eller, om rättelse, komplettering eller tolkning enligt 32 § har ägt rum, inom tre månader från den dag då parten fick del av skiljedomen i dess slutliga lydelse. Skiljedomen skall innehålla en tydlig hänvisning om vad en part som vill angripa domen skall göra.

En talan enligt första stycket som enbart rör en fråga som avses i 42 § är tillåten om skiljedomen innebär att skiljemännen har ansett sig vara obehöriga att pröva tvisten. Om skiljedomen innebär något annat, får en part som vill angripa beslutet klandra skiljedomen enligt bestämmelserna i 34 §.

Skiljedomskostnaderna

37 § Parterna skall solidariskt betala skälig ersättning till skiljemännen för arbete och utlägg. Har skiljemännen i skiljedomen förklarat att de är obehöriga att pröva tvisten, är dock den part som inte begärde skiljedom betalningsansvarig endast i den mån det föranleds av särskilda omständigheter.

Skiljemännen får i en slutlig skiljedom förplikta parterna att betala ersättningen till dem samt ränta från den dag som infaller en månad efter den dag då skiljedomen meddelades. Ersättningen skall anges särskilt för varje skiljeman.

38 § Skiljemännen får begära säkerhet för ersättningen. De får fastställa särskilda säkerheter för skilda yrkanden. Har en part inte inom den tid som skiljemännen bestämt ställt sin andel av begärd säkerhet, får motparten ställa hela säkerheten. Ställs inte begärd säkerhet, får skiljemännen helt eller delvis avsluta förfarandet.

Skiljemännen får under förfarandet besluta att ta säkerheten i anspråk för att täcka utlägg. Sedan skiljemännens ersättning har bestämts i en slutlig skiljedom och domen i den delen har blivit verkställbar, får skiljemännen tillgodogöra sig betalning ur säkerheten, om parterna inte fullgör sin betalningsskyldighet enligt domen. Säkerhetsrätten omfattar även egendomens avkastning.

39 § Bestämmelserna i 37 och 38 §§ gäller inte om något annat har bestämts av parterna gemensamt på ett sätt som är bindande för skiljemännen.

Avtal om ersättningen till skiljemännen som inte träffas med parterna gemensamt är ogiltiga. Har ena parten ställt hela säkerheten, får parten dock ensam medge att skiljemännen tar säkerheten i anspråk för att täcka ersättning för utfört arbete.

40 § Skiljemännen får inte hålla inne skiljedomen i avvaktan på att ersättningen till dem betalas.

41 § En part eller en skiljeman får hos tingsrätten föra talan mot skiljedomen om ersättning till skiljemännen. Talan skall väckas av en part inom tre månader från den dag då parten fick del av domen och av en skiljeman inom samma tid från skiljedomens meddelande. Har rättelse, komplettering eller tolkning enligt 32 § ägt rum, skall talan väckas av en part inom tre månader från den dag då parten fick del av skiljedomen i dess slutliga lydelse och av en skiljeman inom samma tid från den dag då skiljedomen fick sin slutliga lydelse. Skiljedomen skall innehålla en tydlig hänvisning om vad en part som vill föra talan mot domen i denna del skall göra.

Dom, varigenom ersättningen till en skiljeman sätts ned, gäller även för den part som inte fört talan.

42 § Om inte parterna har överenskommit något annat, får skiljemännen på begäran av en part förplikta motparten att betala ersättning för partens kostnader och bestämma hur ersättningen till skiljemännen slutligt skall fördelas mellan parterna. Skiljemännens förordnande får även omfatta ränta, om parten har yrkat det.

Forumfrågor och talefrister

43 § Talan mot en skiljedom enligt 33, 34 och 36 §§ tas upp av hovrätten inom vars domkrets skiljeförfarandet har ägt rum. Är platsen för skiljeförfarandet inte angiven i skiljedomen får talan väckas hos Svea hovrätt.

Hovrättens avgörande får inte överklagas. Hovrätten får dock tillåta att avgörandet överklagas, om det är av vikt för ledning av rättstillämpningen att överklagandet prövas av Högsta domstolen.

Talan beträffande ersättningen till en skiljeman tas upp av tingsrätten på platsen för skiljeförfarandet. Är platsen för skiljeförfarandet inte angiven i skiljedomen får talan väckas hos Stockholms tingsrätt.

44 § Ansökningsärenden om att utse en skiljeman eller att skilja en skiljeman från uppdraget tas upp av tingsrätten i den ort där någon av parterna har sitt hemvist eller av tingsrätten på platsen för skiljeförfarandet. Ansökan får även tas upp av Stockholms tingsrätt. Motparten skall om möjligt ges tillfälle att yttra sig innan ansökan bifalls. Avser ansökan en skiljemans skiljande från uppdraget bör även skiljemannen höras.

Ansökan om bevisupptagning enligt 26 § tas upp av den tingsrätt som skiljemännen har bestämt. Saknas ett sådant beslut tas ansökan upp av Stockholms tingsrätt.

Har tingsrätten bifallit en ansökan om att utse en skiljeman eller att skilja en skiljeman från uppdraget, får beslutet inte överklagas. Inte heller annars får tingsrättens avgörande enligt 10 § tredje stycket överklagas.

45 § Skall enligt lag eller avtal en parts talan väckas inom viss tid men omfattas talan av ett skiljeavtal, skall parten inom den angivna tiden begära skiljedom enligt 19 §.

Har skiljedom begärts i rätt tid men avslutas skiljeförfarandet utan att den fråga som lämnats till skiljemännen rättskraftigt avgörs och beror detta inte på partens vållande, skall talan anses väckt i rätt tid, om parten begär skiljedom eller väcker talan vid domstol inom trettio dagar från den dag då parten fick del av skiljedomen eller, om skiljedomen blivit upphävd eller förklarad ogiltig eller talan mot skiljedomen enligt 36 § lämnats utan bifall, från det att domen härom vunnit laga kraft.

Internationella förhållanden

46 § Denna lag tillämpas på skiljeförfaranden som äger rum i Sverige även om tvisten har internationell anknytning.

47 § Ett skiljeförfarande enligt denna lag får inledas i Sverige, om skiljeavtalet innebär att förfarandet skall äga rum i Sverige eller skiljemännen eller ett skiljedomsinstitut i enlighet med avtalet har bestämt att förfarandet skall äga rum i Sverige eller motparten annars samtycker till det.

Ett skiljeförfarande enligt denna lag får också inledas i Sverige mot en part som har hemvist här eller annars skulle kunna sökas i tvisten vid svensk domstol, om inte skiljeavtalet innebär att förfarandet skall äga rum utomlands.

I andra fall får skiljeförfaranden enligt denna lag inte äga rum i Sverige.

48 § Har ett skiljeavtal internationell anknytning, skall den lag som parterna kommit överens om tillämpas på avtalet. Har parterna inte träffat någon sådan överenskommelse tillämpas lagen i det land där förfarandet med stöd av parternas avtal har ägt rum eller skall äga rum.

Första stycket tillämpas inte på frågan, huruvida en part var behörig att ingå skiljeavtalet eller var behörigen företrädd.

49 § Skall utländsk rätt tillämpas på skiljeavtalet gäller 4 § beträffande en fråga som omfattas av avtalet, utom när

1. avtalet enligt tillämplig lag är ogiltigt, utan verkan eller ogenomförbart, eller

2. tvisten enligt svensk lag inte får avgöras av skiljemän.

Att en domstol utan hinder av skiljeavtalet kan meddela sådana beslut om säkerhetsåtgärder som domstolen enligt lag är behörig att meddela framgår av 4 § tredje stycket.

50 § Vad som sägs i 26 och 44 §§ om bevisupptagning under skiljeförfarande i Sverige gäller även beträffande skiljeförfaranden som äger rum utomlands, om förfarandet grundar sig på ett skiljeavtal och den fråga som lämnats till skiljemännen enligt svensk lag får avgöras av skiljemän.

51 § Har inte någon av parterna hemvist eller driftställe i Sverige, får de i ett kommersiellt förhållande genom en uttrycklig skriftlig överenskommelse utesluta eller begränsa tillämpligheten av de grunder för upphävande av en skiljedom som anges i 34 §.

En skiljedom som omfattas av en sådan överenskommelse erkänns och verkställs i Sverige enligt de regler som gäller för en utländsk skiljedom.

Erkännande och verkställighet av utländsk skiljedom m.m.

52 § En skiljedom som meddelas utomlands anses som utländsk.

Vid tillämpning av denna lag anses en skiljedom vara meddelad i det land där platsen för förfarandet är belägen.

53 § En utländsk skiljedom som grundar sig på ett skiljeavtal erkänns och verkställs i Sverige, om inte annat följer av 54-60 §§.

54 § En utländsk skiljedom erkänns och verkställs inte i Sverige, om den part mot vilken skiljedomen åberopas visar

1. att parterna enligt tillämplig lag saknade behörighet att ingå skiljeavtalet eller inte var behörigen företrädda eller att skiljeavtalet är ogiltigt enligt den lag som enligt parternas överenskommelse skall tillämpas eller, i avsaknad av varje anvisning i sådant hänseende, enligt lagen i det land där skiljedomen har meddelats,

2. att den part, mot vilken skiljedomen åberopas, inte i vederbörlig ordning har underrättats om tillsättandet av skiljeman eller om skiljeförfarandet eller av annan orsak inte varit i stånd att utföra sin talan,

3. att skiljedomen behandlar en tvist som inte avsetts med eller omfattas av parternas begäran om skiljedom, eller att skiljedomen innehåller beslut i en fråga som faller utanför skiljeavtalet, dock skall, om beslut i en fråga som omfattas av uppdraget kan skiljas från beslut som faller utanför uppdraget, den del av skiljedomen som omfattas av uppdraget erkännas och verkställas,

4. att skiljenämndens tillsättande eller dess sammansättning eller skiljeförfarandet strider mot vad parterna avtalat eller, om avtal om detta saknas, mot lagen i det land där förfarandet har ägt rum, eller

5. att skiljedomen ännu inte blivit bindande för parterna eller att den undanröjts eller dess verkställighet skjutits upp av behörig myndighet i det land där den meddelats eller enligt vars lag den meddelats.

55 § En utländsk skiljedom erkänns och verkställs inte heller, om domstolen finner

1. att skiljedomen innefattar prövning av en fråga, som enligt svensk lag inte får avgöras av skiljemän, eller

2. att det skulle vara uppenbart oförenligt med grunderna för rättsordningen i Sverige att erkänna eller verkställa skiljedomen.

56 § Ansökan om verkställighet av en utländsk skiljedom görs hos Svea hovrätt.

Till ansökan skall skiljedomen fogas i original eller styrkt kopia. Om hovrätten inte bestämmer annat skall även en styrkt översättning av hela domen till svenska språket ges in.

57 § Ansökan om verkställighet får inte bifallas utan att motparten har getts tillfälle att yttra sig.

58 § Invänder motparten att skiljeavtal inte träffats, skall sökanden ge in skiljeavtalet i original eller styrkt kopia samt, om hovrätten inte bestämmer annat, styrkt översättning till svenska språket, eller på annat sätt visa att skiljeavtal ingåtts.

Invänder motparten att framställning gjorts om undanröjande av skiljedomen eller om uppskov med dess verkställighet hos myndighet som avses i 54 § 5, får hovrätten skjuta upp avgörandet samt, om sökanden begär det, ålägga motparten att ställa skälig säkerhet vid påföljd att beslut om verkställighet annars kan komma att meddelas.

59 § Bifaller hovrätten ansökan, verkställs skiljedomen som en svensk domstols lagakraftägande dom, om inte Högsta domstolen efter överklagande av hovrättens beslut bestämmer något annat.

60 § Har en säkerhetsåtgärd enligt 15 kap. rättegångsbalken beviljats, skall vid tillämpning av 7 § samma kapitel med talans väckande jämställas en begäran om skiljedom utomlands som kan leda till en skiljedom som erkänns och kan verkställas här.

Sedan ansökan om verkställighet av en utländsk skiljedom gjorts ankommer det på hovrätten att pröva en begäran om säkerhetsåtgärd eller om upphävande av ett sådant beslut.

Organisasjon etc.

Artikkel 1

Oslo Handelskammers Institutt for Voldgift og Alternativ Tvisteløsning er et organ innen Oslo Handelskammer for behandling av voldgiftssaker og alternativ tvisteløsning.

Formålet er:

1. å bistå med bileggelse av uoverensstemmelser mellom avtaleparter etter disse regler i forbindelse med nasjonale eller internasjonale forhold i tilknytning til industri, handel, skipsfart eller annen forretningsvirksomhet

2. å bistå, etter Instituttets avgjørelse i hver enkelt sak, i saker vedrørende voldgift eller alternativ tvisteløsning som helt eller delvis gjennomføres etter andre regler enn disse

3. å fremme anvendelsen av voldgift og alternativ tvisteløsning, og i forbindelse dermed, å drive informasjonsvirksomhet og støtte utdannelsestiltak.

Artikkel 2

Instituttet skal ledes av et styre på inntil ti medlemmer oppnevnt av styret i Oslo Handelskammer for en tre års periode. Handelskammerets styre skal også oppnevne formannen samt, i tilfelle av ledighet, oppnevne nytt styremedlem eller ny styreformann for den gjenværende periode. Styrets medlemmer skal ha erfaring med voldgift eller alternative tvisteløsningsmetoder.

Artikkel 3

Styret er beslutningsdyktig når minst halvparten av de valgte medlemmer er til stede. Ved stemmelikhet gjør formannens stemme utslaget. Styrets avgjørelse kan ikke overprøves av handelskammerets styre.

Artikkel 4

Handelskammeret skal sørge for tilstrekkelig utstyr og sekretærhjelp for Instituttet for voldgiftsretter oppnevnt etter kapittel II og for tvisteløsningsorganer oppnevnt etter kapitlene III, IV og V.

Kapittel II

Voldgiftsregler

Artikkel 5 - Anvendelige prosessregler

Med mindre partene har truffet annen avgjørelse, skal disse regler supplert med tvistemålslovens regler gjelde for voldgiftsbehandlingen.

Artikkel 6 - Voldgiftsretten

Partene kan avtale antall voldgiftsdommere. Er dette ikke gjort, skal antallet voldgiftsdommere i hver sak være tre. Instituttet kan imidlertid beslutte at en sak på grunn av spesielle foreliggende omstendigheter skal avgjøres av en voldgiftsdommer alene.

Partene skal alltid gis anledning til, innen en frist fastsatt av Instituttet, å avtale hvem som skal oppnevnes som voldgiftsdommer eller eventuelt enevoldgiftsdommer. Er slik avtale ikke inngått innen fristens utløp, skal Instituttet oppnevne enevoldgiftsdommer eller hver part oppnevner en voldgiftsdommer og Instituttet oppnevner formannen. Hvis en part unnlater å oppnevne voldgiftsdommer innen den frist Instituttet har fastsatt, skal han oppnevnes av Instituttet. Før Instituttet foretar oppnevnelse skal partene gis anledning til å uttale seg.

I særlige tilfeller kan Instituttet oppnevne en suppleant til voldgiftsretten.

Artikkel 7 - Voldgiftsgebyr og omkostninger

Styret skal utarbeide en oppstilling over registreringsgebyrer som kan revideres fra tid til annen. Det aktuelle gebyr skal betales av saksøkeren før Instituttet oppnevner voldgiftsretten.

Voldgiftsretten kan beslutte før den tar en sak under behandling at partene skal deponere i Instituttet et tilstrekkelig beløp til å dekke de antatte omkostninger ved voldgiftssaken. Hvis en part unnlater å deponere sin andel, kan voldgiftsretten kreve at den annen part deponerer den, og hvis han unnlater det, kan voldgiftsretten nekte å opptre i saken.

Artikkel 8 - Begjæring om voldgift

Begjæring om voldgift skal fremsettes skriftlig til Instituttet og skal inneholde:

1. partenes navn og adresse

2. navnet på voldgiftsrettens medlemmer hvis partene er blitt enige og ellers navnet på saksøkers oppnevnte voldgiftsdommer

3. tvistens art, kravet og dets grunnlag.

Sammen med begjæringen skal fremlegges den kontrakt kravet bygger på samt voldgiftsavtalen.

Artikkel 9 - Instituttets behandling av voldgiftsbegjæringen

Instituttet skal meddele voldgiftsbegjæringen til saksøkte og fastsette tilsvarsfrist. Tilsvaret skal inneholde:

1. navnet på saksøktes voldgiftsdommer med mindre partene er blitt enige om voldgiftsrettens sammensetning

2. saksøktes stilling til det fremsatte krav

3. eventuelle motkrav, motregninger og deres art, grunnlag og omfang.

Hvis det er åpenbart at Instituttet savner myndighet til å behandle saken, skal det avvise saken. I motsatt fall skal Instituttet eventuelt foreta oppnevnelse av voldgiftsdommere. Instituttet skal på begjæring av en part fjerne en voldgiftsmann som viser seg å være inhabil, inkompetent eller som vanskjøtter sitt oppdrag som voldgiftsmann.

Hvis en voldgiftsmann dør, trekker seg tilbake eller fjernes etter foregående ledd, oppnevnes en ny voldgiftsmann etter reglene i artikkel 6.

Når voldgiftsretten er oppnevnt, skal saken overføres til den, og alle ytterligere rettergangsskritt skal forestås av den.

Artikkel 10 - Voldgiftsrettens myndighet

Voldgiftsretten skal ha full domsmyndighet og myndighet til å lede saken på en rettferdig og effektiv måte i overensstemmelse med partenes ønsker. Den kan bemyndige formannen til å treffe slike tiltak som anses nødvendige for å fremme saken. Voldgiftsretten kan spesielt:

1. avgjøre gyldigheten av voldgiftsavtalen og voldgiftsrettens kompetanse

2. avgjøre ethvert rettsspørsmål som måtte oppstå under voldgiftssaken

3. bestemme stedet for voldgiftsforhandlingene hvis partene ikke har avtalt dette

4. fremme voldgiftssaken på tross av en parts unnlatelse eller nektelse av å etterkomme voldgiftsrettens pålegg etter å ha fått frist til å gjøre det

5. tillate utvidelse av søksmålet ved å inndra nye krav eller andre parter med mindre en part motsetter seg det

6. avsi dom over tvistepunktene mellom partene.

Artikkel 11 - Prosesskrift

Voldgiftsretten kan, etter å ha hørt partenes syn, tillate eller pålegge partene å inngi ytterligere skriftlige innlegg og bevis og fastsette tidsfrister for inngivelsen. Alle bevis som partene vil påberope seg, må fremlegges før hovedforhandlingen og innen de fastsatte frister med mindre motpartene eller voldgiftsretten der særlige omstendigheter foreligger, gir tillatelse.

Artikkel 12 - Språk

Partene kan fritt avtale det språk som skal benyttes i prosessinnlegg, under hovedforhandlingen og i dommen. Hvis partene ikke er blitt enige, skal språket i angjeldende kontrakt gjelde, men således at bevis kan fremlegges i originalspråk og vitner kan avhøres på et slikt hovedspråk som de måtte ønske.

Artikkel 13 - Hovedforhandlingen

Voldgiftsretten skal i rimelig tid beramme hovedforhandling for muntlige prosedyre med mindre partene avtaler at dom skal avsies på basis av dokumentene uten hovedforhandling. Voldgiftsretten fastsetter i samråd med partene hvorledes hovedforhandlingen og partenes prosedyre skal gjennomføres. Det kan fremføres vitner som kan avhøres og kryssforhøres av partene.

Artikkel 14 - Avstemning

Ethvert spørsmål avgjøres av voldgiftsretten ved flertallsbeslutning.

Artikkel 15 - Tidsfrister for domsavsigelse

Voldgiftsrettens dom skal meddeles partene ikke senere enn 6 uker etter hovedforhandlingens avslutning, og så vidt mulig, ikke senere enn ett år etter voldgiftsrettens oppnevnelse. Disse tidsfrister kan forlenges av Instituttets styre når særlige grunner taler for det.

Artikkel 16 - Delavgjørelser

En part kan kreve at et enkelt tvistepunkt skilles ut til særskilt avgjørelse. Hvis den annen part motsetter seg det, kan slik avgjørelse bare treffes hvis voldgiftsretten finner at særlige grunner taler for det.

Artikkel 17 - Voldgiftsdommen

Voldgiftsdommen må ikke gå ut over de krav og påstander partene har fremsatt. Den kan være en fullbyrdelses- eller fastsettelsesdom som skal ha premisser og inneholde eventuelle dissenser. Dommen skal underskrives av alle voldgiftsdommere.

Voldgiftsretten skal fastlegge Instituttets og voldgiftsdommernes godtgjørelse for å ha gjort tjeneste i saken samt hvordan det skal fordeles mellom partene. Voldgiftsretten skal også fastsette sin og Instituttets godtgjørelse i de tilfeller hvor saken blir forlikt før dom er avsagt. Partene hefter i alle tilfelle solidarisk for beløpene.

Voldgiftsretten kan etter skjønn pålegge den tapende part saksomkostninger, helt eller delvis. De skal omfatte pådratte utgifter inklusive advokatsalær.

Artikkel 18 - Voldgiftsdommens virkninger

Voldgiftsdommen skal være endelig og tvangskraftig og skal ikke kunne omprøves eller endres av voldgiftsretten, dog således at uriktig tallbehandling og skrivefeil skal rettes etter begjæring av en part innen 4 uker etter dommens avsigelse.

Kapittel III

Regler for forenklet voldgiftsbehandling

Artikkel 19 - Anvendelige regler for forenklet voldgiftsbehandling

Med mindre annet er avtalt skal reglene i dette kapittel supplert med tvistemålslovens regler gjelde for forenklet voldgiftsbehandling.

Artikkel 20 - Begjæring om forenklet voldgiftsbehandling

Begjæring om forenklet voldgift skal fremsettes skriftlig til Instituttet og skal inneholde:

1. Partenes navn og adresse

2. Forslag til voldgiftsdommer

3. Tvistens art, kravet og dets grunnlag.

Sammen med begjæringen skal fremlegges den kontrakt kravet bygger på samt avtalen om forenklet voldgiftsbehandling.

Artikkel 21 - Instituttets behandling av begjæringen

Instituttet skal straks oversende begjæringen til den annen part med frist for å inngi tilsvar. Tilsvaret skal inneholde:

1. hvorvidt saksøkte er enig i at det skal holdes forenklet voldgiftsbehandling

2. hvorvidt saksøkte er enig i forslaget til voldgiftsdommer, og - hvis ikke - hvem saksøkte foreslår

3. saksøktes stillingtagen til saksøkers krav

4. eventuelle motkrav, motregninger og deres art, grunnlag og omfang.

Hvis det er åpenbart at Instituttet savner myndighet til å behandle saken, skal det avvise saken. I motsatt fall skal Instituttet straks foreta oppnevnelse i henhold til artikkel 23.

Artikkel 22 - Voldgiftsgebyr og omkostninger

Instituttets styre utarbeider og reviderer en oppstilling over registreringsgebyrer som skal betales. Det konkrete gebyr skal innbetales av partene med en halvpart hver senest samtidig med oppnevnelse av voldgiftsdommer.

Instituttet kan beslutte at partene innen en frist skal deponere et forskuddsbeløp hos Instituttet til delvis dekning av de antatte omkostninger. Det kan kreves ytterligere forskudd dersom Instituttet anser det nødvendig. Hvis en part unnlater å deponere sin andel, kan voldgiftsdommeren kreve at den annen part deponerer den, og hvis han unnlater det, kan voldgiftsdommeren nekte å opptre i saken.

Artikkel 23 - Oppnevnelse av voldgiftsdommer

Saken skal avgjøres av en voldgiftsdommer oppnevnt av Instituttet. Anmoder partene om oppnevnelse av samme person, skal denne som regel oppnevnes. Ellers oppnevner Instituttet voldgiftsdommer på fritt grunnlag.

Instituttet skal på begjæring av en part fjerne en voldgiftsdommer som viser seg inhabil, inkompetent eller som vanskjøtter sitt oppdrag. I så fall skal Instituttet oppnevne en ny voldgiftsdommer i medhold av forrige ledd.

Før Instituttet foretar en oppnevnelse skal partene gis anledning til å uttale seg.

Når voldgiftsdommer er oppnevnt, skal saken overføres til vedkommende og alle ytterligere rettergangsskritt foretas av ham.

Artikkel 24 - Voldgiftsdommerens myndighet

Den oppnevnte voldgiftsdommer skal ha full domsmyndighet og myndighet til å lede saken på en rettferdig og effektiv måte i overensstemmelse med partenes ønsker, herunder spesielt:

1. avgjøre gyldigheten av voldgiftsavtalen og voldgiftsdommerens kompetanse

2. avgjøre ethvert rettsspørsmål som måtte oppstå under voldgiftssaken

3. bestemme tid og sted for voldgiftsforhandlingene, samt språk som skal benyttes dersom ikke partene er enige om det

4. fremme voldgiftssaken på tross av en parts unnlatelse eller nektelse av å etterkomme voldgiftsdommerens pålegg etter å ha fått frist til å gjøre det.

Artikkel 25 - Behandlingen av voldgiftssaken

Voldgiftsdom skal være avsagt innen 6 måneder etter at voldgiftsdommeren er oppnevnt. Partene tillates ikke å inngi mer enn et prosesskrift hver i tillegg til henholdsvis stevning og tilsvar. Unntak fra de to ovennevnte setninger kan fastsettes av voldgiftsdommeren i spesielle tilfeller. Prosesskriftene avgis innen frister som er fastsatt av voldgiftsdommeren.

Artikkel 26 - Voldgiftsforhandlingene

Voldgiftsforhandlingene skal ikke vare ut over 4 dager. Voldgiftsdommeren kan bestemme at de skal vare i kortere tid.

Hver av partene disponerer over like lang tid til henholdsvis innledningsforedrag, parts- og vitneavhør og prosedyre. Avhør av motparten og motpartens vitner regnes av den avhørende parts tid.

Artikkel 27 - Voldgiftsdommen

Voldgiftsdommen skal meddeles partene senest 4 uker etter voldgiftsforhandlingenes avslutning. Instituttets styre kan i særlige tilfeller forlenge fristen.

Voldgiftsdommen må ikke gå ut over de krav og påstander partene har fremsatt. Den kan være en fullbyrdelses- eller fastsettelsesdom som skal ha premisser.

Voldgiftsdommeren skal fastsette Instituttets og voldgiftsdommerens tilkommende for å ha gjort tjeneste i saken, samt hvordan det skal fordeles mellom partene. Partene skal i alle tilfelle hefte solidarisk for beløpene. Voldgiftsdommeren skal også fastsette sitt og Instituttets tilkommende i de tilfeller saken forlikes før dom er avsagt.

Voldgiftsdommeren kan etter skjønn tilkjenne helt eller delvis saksomkostninger til den part som har vunnet saken. Saksomkostninger skal omfatte pådratte utgifter inklusive advokatsalær.

Artikkel 28 - Voldgiftsdommens virkninger

Voldgiftsdommen skal være endelig og tvangskraftig og skal ikke kunne omprøves eller senere endres av voldgiftsdommeren, dog således at uriktig tallbehandling og skrivefeil skal kunne rettes etter begjæring av en part innen 4 uker etter dommens avsigelse.

- - -

Instituttets regler omfatter videre rettsmekling (kapittel IV) og minitrial (kapittel V).

Introductory provisions

Article 1 International Court of Arbitration

1. The International Court of Arbitration (the «Court») of the International Chamber of Commerce (the «ICC») is the arbitration body attached to the ICC. The statutes of the Court are set forth in Appendix I. Members of the Court are appointed by the World Council of the ICC. The function of the Court is to provide for the settlement by arbitration of business disputes of an international character in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (the «Rules»). If so empowered by an arbitration agreement, the Court shall also provide for the settlement by arbitration in accordance with these Rules of business disputes not of an international character.

2. The Court does not itself settle disputes. It has the function of ensuring the application of these Rules. It draws up its own Internal Rules (Appendix II).

3. The Chairman of the Court, or, in the Chairman's absence or otherwise at his request, one of its Vice-Chairmen shall have the power to take urgent decisions on behalf of the Court, provided that any such decision is reported to the Court at its next session.

4. As provided for in its Internal Rules, the Court may delegate to one or more committees composed of its members the power to take certain decisions, provided that any such decision is reported to the Court at its next session.

5. The Secretariat of the Court (the «Secretariat») under the direction of its Secretary General (the «Secretary General») shall have its seat at the headquarters of the ICC.

Article 2 Definitions

In these Rules:

(i) «Arbitral Tribunal» includes one or more arbitrators.

(ii) «Claimant» includes one or more claimants and «Respondent» includes one or more respondents.

(iii) «Award» includes, inter alia, an interim, partial or final Award.

Article 3 Written Notifications or Communications; Time Limits

1. All pleadings and other written communications submitted by any party, as well as all documents annexed thereto, shall be supplied in a number of copies sufficient to provide one copy for each party, plus one for each arbitrator, and one for the Secretariat. A copy of any communication from the Arbitral Tribunal to the parties shall be sent to the Secretariat.

2. All notifications or communications from the Secretariat and the Arbitral Tribunal shall be made to the last address of the party or its representative for whom the same are intended, as notified either by the party in question or by the other party. Such notification or communication may be made by delivery against receipt, registered post, courier, facsimile transmission, telex, telegram or any other means of telecommunication that provides a record of the sending thereof.

3. A notification or communication shall be deemed to have been made on the day it was received by the party itself or by its representative, or would have been received if made in accordance with the preceding paragraph.

4. Periods of time specified in or fixed under the present Rules, shall start to run on the day following the date a notification or communication is deemed to have been made in accordance with the preceding paragraph. When the day next following such date is an official holiday, or a non-business day in the country where the notification or communication is deemed to have been made, the period of time shall commence on the first following business day. Official holidays and non-business days are included in the calculation of the period of time. If the last day of the relevant period of time granted is an official holiday or a non-business day in the country where the notification or communication is deemed to have been made, the period of time shall expire at the end of the first following business day.

Commencing the Arbitration

Article 4 Request for Arbitration

1. A party wishing to have recourse to arbitration under these Rules shall submit its Request for Arbitration (the «Request») to the Secretariat, which shall notify the Claimant and Respondent of the receipt of the Request and the date of such receipt.

2. The date on which the Request is received by the Secretariat shall, for all purposes, be deemed to be the date of the commencement of the arbitral proceedings.

3. The Request shall, inter alia, contain the following information:

a) the name in full, description and address of each of the parties;

b) a description of the nature and circumstances of the dispute giving rise to the claim(s);

c) a statement of the relief sought, including, to the extent possible, an indication of any amount(s) claimed;

d) the relevant agreements and, in particular, the arbitration agreement;

e) all relevant particulars concerning the number of arbitrators and their choice in accordance with the provisions of Articles 8, 9 and 10, and any nomination of an arbitrator required thereby; and

f) any comments as to the place of arbitration, the applicable rules of law and the language of the arbitration.

4. Together with the Request, the Claimant shall submit the number of copies thereof required by Article 3(1) and shall make the advance payment on administrative expenses required by Appendix III («Arbitration Costs and Fees») in force on the date the Request is submitted. In the event that the Claimant fails to comply with either of these requirements, the Secretariat may fix a time limit within which the Claimant must comply, failing which the file shall be closed without prejudice to the right of the Claimant to submit the same claims at a later date in another Request.

5. The Secretariat shall send a copy of the Request and the documents annexed thereto to the Respondent for its Answer to the Request once the Secretariat has sufficient copies of the Request and the required advance payment.

6. When a party submits a Request in connection with a legal relationship in respect of which arbitration proceedings between the same parties are already pending under these Rules, the Court may, at the request of a party, decide to include the claims contained in the Request in the pending proceedings provided that the Terms of Reference have not been signed or approved by the Court. Once the Terms of Reference have been signed or approved by the Court, claims may only be included in the pending proceedings subject to the provisions of Article 19.

Article 5 Answer to the Request; Counterclaims

1. Within 30 days from the receipt of the Request from the Secretariat, the Respondent shall file an Answer (the «Answer») which shall, inter alia, contain the following information:

a) its name in full, description and address;

b) its comments as to the nature and circumstances of the dispute giving rise to the claim(s);

c) its response to the relief sought;

d) any comments concerning the number of arbitrators and their choice in light of the Claimant's proposals and in accordance with the provisions of Articles 8, 9 and 10, and any nomination of an arbitrator required thereby; and

e) any comments as to the place of arbitration, the applicable rules of law and the language of the arbitration.

2. The Secretariat may grant the Respondent an extension of the time for filing the Answer, provided the application for such an extension contains the Respondent's comments concerning the number of arbitrators and their choice and, where required by Articles 8, 9 and 10, the nomination of an arbitrator. If the Respondent fails to do so, the Court shall proceed in accordance with these Rules.

3. The Answer shall be supplied to the Secretariat in the number of copies specified by Article 3(1).

4. A copy of the Answer and the documents annexed thereto shall be communicated by the Secretariat to the Claimant.

5. Any counterclaim(s) made by the Respondent shall be filed with its Answer and shall provide:

a) a description of the nature and circumstances of the dispute giving rise to the counterclaim(s); and

b) a statement of the relief sought, including, to the extent possible, an indication of any amount(s) counterclaimed.

6. The Claimant shall file a Reply to any counterclaim within 30 days from the date of receipt of the counterclaim(s) communicated by the Secretariat. The Secretariat may grant the Claimant an extension of time for filing the Reply.

Article 6 Effect of the Arbitration Agreement

1. Where the parties have agreed to submit to arbitration under the Rules, they shall be deemed to have submitted ipso facto to the Rules in effect on the date of commencement of the arbitration proceedings, unless they have agreed to submit to the Rules in effect on the date of their arbitration agreement.

2. If the Respondent does not file an Answer, as provided by Article 5, or if any party raises one or more pleas concerning the existence, validity or scope of the arbitration agreement, the Court may decide, without prejudice to the admissibility or merits of the plea or pleas, that the arbitration shall proceed if it is prima facie satisfied that an arbitration agreement under the Rules may exist. In such a case, any decision as to the jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal shall be taken by the Arbitral Tribunal itself. If the Court is not so satisfied, the parties shall be notified that the arbitration cannot proceed. In such a case, any party retains the right to ask any court having jurisdiction whether or not there is a binding arbitration agreement.

3. If any of the parties refuses or fails to take part in the arbitration or any stage thereof, the arbitration shall proceed notwithstanding such refusal or failure.

4. Unless otherwise agreed, the Arbitral Tribunal shall not cease to have jurisdiction by reason of any claim that the contract is null and void or allegation that it is non-existent, provided that the Arbitral Tribunal upholds the validity of the arbitration agreement. The Arbitral Tribunal shall continue to have jurisdiction to determine the respective rights of the parties and to adjudicate their claims and pleas even though the contract itself may be non-existent or null and void.

The Arbitral Tribunal

Article 7 General Provisions

1. Every arbitrator must be and remain independent of the parties involved in the arbitration.

2. Before appointment or confirmation, a prospective arbitrator shall sign a statement of independence and disclose in writing to the Secretariat any facts or circumstances which might be of such a nature as to call into question the arbitrator's independence in the eyes of the parties. The Secretariat shall provide such information to the parties in writing and fix a time limit for any comments from them.

3. An arbitrator shall immediately disclose in writing to the Secretariat and to the parties any facts or circumstances of a similar nature which may arise during the arbitration.

4. The decisions of the Court as to the appointment, confirmation, challenge or replacement of an arbitrator shall be final and the reasons for such decisions shall not be communicated.

5. By accepting to serve, every arbitrator undertakes to carry out his responsibilities in accordance with these Rules.

6. Insofar as the parties have not provided otherwise, the Arbitral Tribunal shall be constituted in accordance with the provisions of Articles 8, 9 and 10.

Article 8 Number of Arbitrators

1. The disputes shall be decided by a sole arbitrator or by three arbitrators.

2. Where the parties have not agreed upon the number of arbitrators, the Court shall appoint a sole arbitrator, save where it appears to the Court that the dispute is such as to warrant the appointment of three arbitrators. In such case, the Claimant shall nominate an arbitrator within a period of 15 days from the receipt of the notification of the decision of the Court, and the Respondent shall nominate an arbitrator within a period of 15 days from the receipt of the notification of the nomination made by the Claimant.

3. Where the parties have agreed that the dispute shall be settled by a sole arbitrator, they may, by agreement, nominate the sole arbitrator for confirmation. If the parties fail to nominate a sole arbitrator within 30 days from the date when the Claimant's Request for Arbitration has been received by the other party, or within such additional time as may be allowed by the Secretariat, the sole arbitrator shall be appointed by the Court.

4. Where the dispute is to be referred to three arbitrators, each party shall nominate in the Request and the Answer, respectively, one arbitrator for confirmation. If a party fails to nominate an arbitrator, the appointment shall be made by the Court. The third arbitrator, who will act as chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal, shall be appointed by the Court, unless the parties have agreed upon another procedure for such appointment, in which case the nomination will be subject to confirmation pursuant to Article 9. Should such procedure not result in a nomination within the time limit fixed by the parties or the Court, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the Court.

Article 9 Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators

1. In confirming or appointing arbitrators, the Court shall consider the prospective arbitrator's nationality, residence and other relationships with the countries of which the parties or the other arbitrators are nationals and the prospective arbitrator's availability and ability to conduct the arbitration in accordance with these Rules. The same shall apply where the Secretary General confirms arbitrators pursuant to Article 9(2).

2. The Secretary General may confirm as co-arbitrators, sole arbitrators and chairmen of Arbitral Tribunals persons nominated by the parties or pursuant to their particular agreements, provided they have filed a statement of independence without qualification or a qualified statement of independence has not given rise to objections. Such confirmation shall be reported to the Court at its next session. If the Secretary General considers that a co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator or chairman of an Arbitral Tribunal should not be confirmed, the matter shall be submitted to the Court.

3. Where the Court is to appoint a sole arbitrator or the chairman of an Arbitral Tribunal, it shall make the appointment upon a proposal of a National Committee of the ICC that it considers to be appropriate. If the Court does not accept the proposal made, or if the National Committee fails to make the proposal requested within the time limit fixed by the Court, the Court may repeat its request or may request a proposal from another National Committee that it considers to be appropriate.

4. Where the Court considers that the circumstances so demand, it may choose the sole arbitrator or the chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal from a country where there is no National Committee, provided that neither of the parties objects within the time limit fixed by the Court.

5. The sole arbitrator or the chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal shall be of a nationality other than those of the parties. However, in suitable circumstances and provided that neither of the parties objects within the time limit fixed by the Court, the sole arbitrator or the chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal may be chosen from a country of which any of the parties is a national.

6. Where the Court is to appoint an arbitrator on behalf of a party which has failed to nominate one, it shall make the appointment upon a proposal of the National Committee of the country of which that party is a national. If the Court does not accept the proposal made, or if the National Committee fails to make the proposal requested within the time limit fixed by the Court, or if the country of which the said party is a national has no National Committee, the Court shall be at liberty to choose any person whom it regards as suitable. The Secretariat shall inform the National Committee, if one exists, of the country of which such person is a national.

Article 10 Multiple Parties

1. Where there are multiple parties, whether as Claimant or as Respondent, and where the dispute is to be referred to three arbitrators, the multiple Claimants, jointly, and the multiple Respondents, jointly, shall nominate an arbitrator for confirmation pursuant to Article 9.

2. In the absence of such a joint nomination and where all parties are unable to agree to a method for the constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal, the Court may appoint each member of the Arbitral Tribunal and shall designate one of them to act as chairman. In such case, the Court shall be at liberty to choose any person it regards as suitable to act as arbitrator, applying Article 9 when it considers this appropriate.

Article 11 Challenge of Arbitrators

1. A challenge of an arbitrator, whether for an alleged lack of independence or otherwise, shall be made by the submission to the Secretariat of a written statement specifying the facts and circumstances on which the challenge is based.

2. For a challenge to be admissible, it must be sent by a party either within 30 days from receipt by that party of the notification of the appointment or confirmation of the arbitrator, or within 30 days from the date when the party making the challenge was informed of the facts and circumstances on which the challenge is based if such date is subsequent to the receipt of such notification.

3. The Court shall decide on the admissibility, and, at the same time, if necessary, on the merits of a challenge after the Secretariat has afforded an opportunity for the arbitrator concerned, the other party or parties and any other members of the Arbitral Tribunal to comment in writing within a suitable period of time. Such comments shall be communicated to the parties and to the arbitrators.

Article 12 Replacement of Arbitrators

1. An arbitrator shall be replaced upon his death, upon the acceptance by the Court of the arbitrator's resignation, upon acceptance by the Court of a challenge or, upon the request of all the parties.

2. An arbitrator shall also be replaced on the Court's own initiative when it decides that he is prevented de jure or de facto from fulfilling his functions, or that he is not fulfilling his functions in accordance with the Rules or within the prescribed time limits.

3. When, on the basis of information that has come to its attention, the Court considers applying Article 12(2), it shall decide on the matter after the arbitrator concerned, the parties and any other members of the Arbitral Tribunal have had an opportunity to comment in writing within a suitable period of time. Such comments shall be communicated to the parties and to the arbitrators.

4. When an arbitrator is to be replaced, the Court has discretion to decide whether or not to follow the original nominating process. 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.

5. Subsequent to the closing of the proceedings, instead of replacing an arbitrator who has died or been removed by the Court pursuant to Articles 12(1) and 12(2), the Court may decide, when it considers it appropriate, that the remaining arbitrators shall continue the arbitration. In making such determination, the Court shall take into account the views of the remaining arbitrators and of the parties and such other matters that it considers appropriate in the circumstances.

The Arbitral Proceedings

Article 13 Transmission of the File to the Arbitral Tribunal

The Secretariat shall transmit the file to the Arbitral Tribunal as soon as it has been constituted, provided the advance on costs requested by the Secretariat at this stage has been paid.

Article 14 Place of the Arbitration

1. The place of the arbitration shall be fixed by the Court unless agreed upon by the parties.

2. The Arbitral Tribunal may, after consultation with the parties, conduct hearings and meetings at any location it considers appropriate unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

3. The Arbitral Tribunal may deliberate at any location it considers appropriate.

Article 15 Rules Governing the Proceedings

1. The proceedings before the Arbitral Tribunal shall be governed by these Rules, and, where these Rules are silent by any rules which the parties or, failing them, the Arbitral Tribunal may settle on, whether or not reference is thereby made to the rules of procedure of a national law to be applied to the arbitration.

2. In all cases, the Arbitral Tribunal shall act fairly and impartially and ensure that each party has a reasonable opportunity to present its case.

Article 16 Language of the Arbitration

In the absence of an agreement by the parties, the Arbitral Tribunal shall determine the language or languages of the arbitration, due regard being given to all relevant circumstances, including the language of the contract.

Article 17 Applicable Rules of Law

1. The parties shall be free to agree upon the rules of law to be applied by the Arbitral Tribunal to the merits of the dispute. In the absence of any such agreement, the Arbitral Tribunal shall apply the rules of law which it determines to be appropriate.

2. In all cases the Arbitral Tribunal shall take account of the provisions of the contract and the relevant trade usages.

3. The Arbitral Tribunal shall assume the powers of an amiable compositeur or decide ex aequo et bono only if the parties have agreed to give it such powers.

Article 18 Terms of Reference; Procedural Timetable

1. As soon as it has received the file from the Secretariat, the Arbitral Tribunal shall draw up, on the basis of documents or in the presence of the parties and in the light of their most recent submissions, a document defining its Terms of Reference. This document shall include the following particulars:

a) the full names and descriptions of the parties;

b) the addresses of the parties to which notifications and communications arising in the course of the arbitration may be made;

c) a summary of the parties' respective claims and of the relief sought by each party, with an indication to the extent possible of the amounts claimed or counterclaimed;

d) unless the Arbitral Tribunal considers it inappropriate, a list of issues to be determined;

e) the full names, descriptions and addresses of the arbitrators;

f) the place of the arbitration; and

g) particulars of the applicable procedural rules and, if such is the case, reference to the power conferred upon the Arbitral Tribunal to act as amiable compositeur or to decide ex aequo et bono.

2. The Terms of Reference shall be signed by the parties and the Arbitral Tribunal. Within two months of the date on which the file has been transmitted to it, the Arbitral Tribunal shall transmit to the Court the Terms of Reference signed by it and by the parties. The Court may extend this time limit pursuant to a reasoned request from the Arbitral Tribunal or on its own initiative if it decides it is necessary to do so.

3. If any of the parties refuses to take part in the drawing up of the Terms of Reference or to sign the same, they shall be submitted to the Court for approval. When the Terms of Reference have been signed in accordance with Article 18(2) or approved by the Court, the arbitration shall proceed.

4. When drawing up the Terms of Reference, or as soon as possible thereafter, the Arbitral Tribunal, after having consulted the parties, shall establish in a separate document a provisional timetable that it intends to follow for the conduct of the arbitration and shall communicate it to the Court and the parties. Any subsequent modifications of the provisional timetable shall be communicated to the Court and the parties.

Article 19 New Claims

After the Terms of Reference have been signed or approved by the Court, no party shall make new claims or counterclaims which fall outside the limits of the Terms of Reference unless it has been authorized to do so by the Arbitral Tribunal, which shall consider the nature of such new claims or counterclaims, the stage of the arbitration and other relevant circumstances.

Article 20 Establishing the Facts of the Case

1. The Arbitral Tribunal shall proceed within as short a time as possible to establish the facts of the case by all appropriate means.

2. After studying the written submissions of the parties and all documents relied upon, the Arbitral Tribunal shall hear the parties together in person if any of them so requests or, failing such a request, it may of its own motion decide to hear them.

3. The Arbitral Tribunal may decide to hear witnesses, experts appointed by the parties or any other person, in the presence of the parties, or in their absence provided they have been duly summoned.

4. The Arbitral Tribunal, after having consulted the parties, may appoint one or more experts, define their terms of reference and receive their reports. At the request of a party, the parties shall be given the opportunity to question at a hearing any such expert appointed by the Tribunal.

5. At any time during the proceedings, the Arbitral Tribunal may summon any party to provide additional evidence.

6. The Arbitral Tribunal may decide the case solely on the documents submitted by the parties unless any of the parties requests a hearing. 7. The Arbitral Tribunal may take measures for protecting trade secrets and confidential information.

Article 21 Hearings

1. When a hearing is to be held, the Arbitral Tribunal, giving reasonable notice, shall summon the parties to appear before it on the day and at the place fixed by it.

2. If any of the parties, although duly summoned, fails to appear without valid excuse, the Arbitral Tribunal shall have the power to proceed with the hearing.

3. The Arbitral Tribunal shall be in full charge of the hearings, at which all the parties shall be entitled to be present. Save with the approval of the Arbitral Tribunal and the parties, persons not involved in the proceedings shall not be admitted.

4. The parties may appear in person or through duly authorized representatives. In addition, they may be assisted by advisers.

Article 22 Closing of the Proceedings

1. When it is satisfied that the parties have had a reasonable opportunity to present their cases, the Arbitral Tribunal shall declare the proceedings closed. Thereafter, no further submission or argument may be made, or evidence produced, unless requested or authorized by the Arbitral Tribunal.

2. When the Arbitral Tribunal has declared the proceedings closed, it shall indicate to the Secretariat an approximate date by which the draft Award will be submitted to the Court for approval pursuant to Article 27. Any postponement of that date shall be communicated to the Secretariat by the Arbitral Tribunal.

Article 23 Conservatory and Interim Measures

1. Unless the parties have otherwise agreed, as soon as the file has been transmitted to it, the Arbitral Tribunal may, at the request of a party, order any interim or conservatory measure it deems appropriate. The Arbitral Tribunal may make the granting of any such measure subject to appropriate security being furnished by the requesting party. Any such measure shall take the form of an order, giving reasons, or of an Award, as the Arbitral Tribunal considers appropriate.

2. Before the file is transmitted to the Arbitral Tribunal, and in appropriate circumstances even thereafter, the parties may apply to any competent judicial authority for interim or conservatory measures. The application of a party to a judicial authority for such measures or for the implementation of any such measures ordered by an Arbitral Tribunal shall not be deemed to be an infringement or a waiver of the arbitration agreement and shall not affect the relevant powers reserved to the Arbitral Tribunal. Any such application and any measures taken by the judicial authority must be notified without delay to the Secretariat. The Secretariat shall inform the Arbitral Tribunal thereof.

Awards

Article 24 Time Limit for the Award

1. The time limit within which the Arbitral Tribunal must render its final Award is six months. Such time limit shall start to run from the date of the last signature by the Arbitral Tribunal or of the parties of the Terms of Reference, or, in the case of application of Article 18(3), the date of the notification to the Arbitral Tribunal by the Secretariat of the approval of the Terms of Reference by the Court.

2. The Court may extend this time limit pursuant to a reasoned request from the Arbitral Tribunal or on its own initiative if it decides it is necessary to do so.

Article 25 Making of the Award

1. When the Arbitral Tribunal is composed of more than one arbitrator, an Award is given by a majority decision. If there be no majority, the Award shall be made by the chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal alone.

2. The Award shall state the reasons upon which it is based.

3. The Award shall be deemed to be made at the place of the arbitration and on the date stated therein.

Article 26 Award by Consent

If the parties reach a settlement after the file has been transmitted to the Arbitral Tribunal in accordance with Article 13, the settlement shall be recorded in the form of an Award made by consent of the parties if so requested by the parties and if the Arbitral Tribunal agrees to do so.

Article 27 Scrutiny of the Award by the Court

Before signing any Award, the Arbitral Tribunal shall submit it in draft form to the Court. The Court may lay down modifications as to the form of the Award and, without affecting the Arbitral Tribunal's liberty of decision, may also draw its attention to points of substance. No Award shall be rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal until it has been approved by the Court as to its form.

Article 28 Notification, Deposit and Enforceability of the Award

1. Once an Award has been made, the Secretariat shall notify to the parties the text signed by the Arbitral Tribunal, provided always that the costs of the arbitration have been fully paid to the ICC by the parties or by one of them.

2. Additional copies certified true by the Secretary General shall be made available on request and at any time to the parties, but to no one else.

3. By virtue of the notification made in accordance with Paragraph 1 of this Article, the parties waive any other form of notification or deposit on the part of the Arbitral Tribunal.

4. An original of each Award made in accordance with the present Rules shall be deposited with the Secretariat.

5. The Arbitral Tribunal and the Secretariat shall assist the parties in complying with whatever further formalities may be necessary.

6. Every Award shall be binding on the parties. By submitting the dispute to arbitration under these Rules, the parties undertake to carry out any Award without delay and shall be deemed to have waived their right to any form of recourse insofar as such waiver can validly be made.

Article 29 Correction and Interpretation of the Award

1. On its own initiative, the Arbitral Tribunal may correct a clerical, computational or typographical error, or any errors of similar nature contained in an Award, provided such correction is submitted for approval to the Court within 30 days of the date of such Award.

2. Any application of a party for the correction of an error of the kind referred to in Article 29(1), or for the interpretation of an Award, must be made to the Secretariat within 30 days of the receipt of the Award by such party, in a number of copies as stated in Article 3(1). After transmittal of the application to the Arbitral Tribunal, it shall grant the other party a short time limit, normally not exceeding 30 days, from the receipt of the application by that party to submit any comments thereon. If the Arbitral Tribunal decides to correct or interpret the Award, it shall submit its decision in draft form to the Court not later than 30 days following the expiration of the time limit for the receipt of any comments from the other party or within such other period as the Court may decide.

3. The decision to correct or to interpret the Award shall take the form of an addendum and shall constitute part of the Award. The provisions of Articles 25, 27 and 28 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Costs

Article 30 Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration

1. After receipt of the Request, the Secretary General may request the Claimant to pay a provisional advance in an amount intended to cover the costs of arbitration until the Terms of Reference have been drawn up.

2. As soon as practicable, the Court shall fix the advance on costs in an amount likely to cover the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and the ICC administrative costs for the claims and counterclaims which have been referred to it by the parties. This amount may be subject to readjustment at any time during the arbitration. Where, apart from the claims, counterclaims are submitted, the Court may fix separate advances on costs for the claims and the counterclaims.

3. The advance on costs fixed by the Court shall be payable in equal shares by the Claimant and the Respondent. Any provisional advance paid on the basis of Article 30(1) will be considered as a partial payment thereof. However, any party shall be free to pay the whole of the advance on costs in respect of the principal claim or the counterclaim should the other party fail to pay its share. When the Court has set separate advances on costs in accordance with Article 30(2), each of the parties shall pay the advance on costs corresponding to its claims.

4. When a request for an advance on costs has not been complied with, and after consultation with the Arbitral Tribunal, the Secretary General may direct the Arbitral Tribunal to suspend its work and set a time limit, which must be not less than 15 days, on the expiry of which the relevant claims, or counterclaims, shall be considered as withdrawn. Should the party in question wish to object to this measure, it must make a request within the aforementioned period for the matter to be decided by the Court. Such party shall not be prevented, on the ground of such withdrawal, from reintroducing the same claims or counterclaims at a later date in another proceeding.

5. If one of the parties claims a right to a set-off with regard to either claims or counterclaims, such set-off shall be taken into account in determining the advance to cover the costs of arbitration in the same way as a separate claim insofar as it may require the Arbitral Tribunal to consider additional matters.

Article 31 Decision as to the Costs of the Arbitration

1. The costs of the arbitration shall include the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and the ICC administrative expenses fixed by the Court, in accordance with the scale in force at the time of the commencement of the arbitral proceedings, as well as the fees and expenses of any experts appointed by the Arbitral Tribunal and the reasonable legal and other costs incurred by the parties for the arbitration.

2. The Court may fix the fees of the arbitrators at a figure higher or lower than that which would result from the application of the relevant scale should this be deemed necessary due to the exceptional circumstances of the case. Decisions on costs other than those fixed by the Court may be taken by the Arbitral Tribunal at any time during the proceedings.

3. The final Award shall fix the costs of the arbitration and decide which of the parties shall bear them or in what proportion they shall be borne by the parties.

Miscellaneous

Article 32 Modified Time Limits

1. The parties may agree to shorten the various time limits set out in these Rules. Any such agreement entered into subsequent to the constitution of an Arbitral Tribunal shall become effective only upon the approval of the Arbitral Tribunal.

2. The Court, on its own initiative, may extend any time limit which has been modified pursuant to Article 32(1) if it decides that it is necessary to do so in order that the Arbitral Tribunal or the Court may fulfil their responsibilities in accordance with these Rules.

Article 33 Waiver

A party which proceeds with the arbitration without raising its objection to a failure to comply with any provision of these Rules, or of any other rules applicable to the proceedings, any direction given by the Arbitral Tribunal, or any requirement under the arbitration agreement relating to the constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal, or to the conduct of the proceedings, shall be deemed to have waived its right to object.

Article 34 Exclusion of Liability

Neither the arbitrators, nor the Court and its members, nor the ICC and its employees, nor the ICC National Committees shall be liable to any person for any act or omission in connection with the arbitration.

Article 35 General Rule

In all matters not expressly provided for in these Rules, the Court and the Arbitral Tribunal shall act in the spirit of these Rules and shall make every effort to make sure that the Award is enforceable at law.