Introduction

On the 12th of April 2019, I had the pleasure to participate to an event organized by CIArb in partnership with the LL.M Business Law, Arab World and Middle East of Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. The subject was the key players in international arbitral proceedings.

The speakers were as follows:

Iolanda Ghica, Head of Marketing at CIArb introduced the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators as the world’s leading qualifications and professional body for dispute avoidance and dispute management. CIArb has 16 000 members and 39 branches.

Then, she introduced the speakers, each of whom represented one of the key players in international arbitral proceedings: arbitrators, administrative secretaries, arbitral Institutions and counsel. Emphasis was on their changing roles.

Arbitrators

Prof. François Ameli provided the arbitrators’ perspective in international arbitral proceedings, with specific references to the Arab world and Middle East.

He mentioned the change in the arbitrator’s role in the recent past in the Arab world. Their role is moving from more mediation towards professional arbitration due to the sophistication of the cases and the need for impartiality. The development of certain boutique law firms can be one factor contributing. Because these are specializing in arbitration, pushing arbitrators to be more and more professional.

In the Middle East, there is a long-standing Persian tradition of arbitration. Now, as the development of regional arbitration centers like Dubai and Cairo shows, the Arab world is also shifting towards arbitration. Due to the current sanctions imposed on Iran, activity at the center in Teheran is now a bit suppressed.

The United Arab Emirates introduced new laws with the UAE Federal Arbitration Act (Law No. 6 of 2018)]. He mentioned certain improvements like the question of severability, incorporation of arbitration rules by reference and the allowance of new technologies. For those interested, please read the following publication on Lexology:  Highlights of the UAE Federal Arbitration Act (Law No. 6 of 2018)  (https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=b88a986a-6cc6-4f01-9c75-a14b06e08a20)

Prof. Ameli did also not shy away of mentioning some shortcomings and risks to arbitration in the Middle East. There is for example a recent case (from a lower court, still under appeal) where arbitrators were sentenced to prison and high indemnities for having shifted the arbitration to a neutral country with ad-hoc proceedings.

To conclude his presentation, Prof. Ameli also encouraged arbitrators to refect, before rendering their award, on how feasible the enforcement of the award will be in the relevant countries.

Administrative secretaries

Then, Dr Amel Makhlouf took over to explain the controversial and evolving role of administrative secretaries to arbitral tribunals. She made the case for their role, acknowledging the professionalization and complexity of arbitration, based on the following points:

  • Logistics: why would the arbitrators necessarily have to take care of this aspect on their own?
  • Procedural aspects and case management meeting
  • Optimization of resources: she made a parallel with the collaboration between judges and clerks.
  • “Paper tsunami”: it may be impossible for one person to handle the number of documents involved.
  • The need for efficiency, including the limitation of the duration of the arbitration.
  • Availability: the secretary can, for example, be contacted by the arbitral institution even while the arbitrator is travelling.

She also talked about some objections regarding administrative secretaries:

  • Perceived lack of legitimacy: However, the admin secretary gets her/his role from the relationship with the chairman or sole arbitrator. Also, impartiality requirements/no conflict of interest apply.
  • The fact of involving another 3rd party and perceived risk on confidentiality.
  • “Acting as fourth arbitrator”: under no circumstances should the admin secretary take part in the decision-making process.

What is the process for getting an administrative secretary onboard?

  • Usually the initiative comes from the chairman.
  • Agreement is then sought from the co-arbitrators.
  • The subject is raised during the case management meeting. It is mentioned in the meeting report (including certain procedural aspects like confidentiality) for which non-objection of the disputing parties is sought. It was noted that the parties rarely refuse the administrative secretary in order not to go against the wish of the chairman of the tribunal.

The treatment of the costs of admin secretary’s performance depends on the applicable arbitration rules.

There have been challenges to arbitral awards based on the role of the admin secretary. However, state courts have been reluctant to set aside the award on this basis.

Arbitral Institutions

As the third speaker, Ms Olena Gulyanytska explained the role and evolution of the CIArb’s Dispute Appointment Service (DAS). It was created in 2012 and quickly gained traction, both domestically and internationally. DAS has access to an immense pool of qualified and experienced professionals, drawing from CIArb’s 16 000 members.

CIArb can appoint arbitrators but does not administer the arbitration itself. The tribunal can proceed on ad hoc basis without additional charges and interference from CIArb. It will only serve as back-up in case of challenges, e.g. concerning impartiality. The presidential panel of arbitrators insures the quality as the listed need to be chartered arbitrators, with reassessment every three years.

CIArb’s arbitration rules are based on Uncitral rules with some additions:

  • Waiver of the parties right of appeal;
  • Provisions for urgent injunctive relief (obtaining an emergency arbitrator within 2 days);
  • Case management conference.

Ms Olena Gulyanytska also explained the Business Arbitration Scheme (BAS). It has as objective to provide simple, cost-effective and timely resolution of disputes of low to medium monetary value (5000 – 100 000 GBP) by a sole arbitrator. A final, legally binding decision on the dispute will be provided within 90 days from the appointment of the arbitrator. Some other characteristics are as follows:

  • A fixed fee of 1250 GBP (if no hearing) + VAT is payable by each party to cover DAS’ costs and the arbitrator’s fees.
  • A sole arbitrator will be appointed by CIArb within 10 days.
  • The parties’ case and witness statements shall not exceed 5000 words.
  • The successful party may not recover more than its fixed fee plus 1000 GBP towards their costs of arbitration.

The above framework gives visibility on costs (remaining low), provides speed and simplicity (parties can even proceed without legal representation). All this with confidentiality and obtaining an award with the same enforceability as a court judgement.

Counsel

Finally, Ms. Hanna Abdou talked about the conduct of counsel in international arbitration. She pointed out that the counsel’s role is very broad. She would therefore focus on some specific points.

Who can be that counsel?

  • A lawyer representing the party;
  • An expert (sometimes a technical expert) when acting as party’s representative;
  • Inhouse counsel of a company.

Their mission starts with the request for arbitration, at least for the defendant. For the claimant, the interaction usually starts some weeks or months before. This period is used to establish the relationship, understand the claim and prepare suitable documents. When the parties choose the arbitrators (instead of relying on an arbitral institution or a nominating body like CIArb), the counsel also has an important role to advice on potential arbitrators. Counsel will also be strongly involved in the case management and the setting the procedural time table. The counsel’s role doesn’t end with the hearing because support is probably needed for:

  • Providing a statement of costs & fees.
  • Analyzing the award and explaining it to the Client.
  • Potentially filing for annulment of the arbitral award or launching the steps to enforce the award.

Click here for other articles about alternative dispute resolution in this blog.

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