1. A party wishing to commence arbitration under the Rules shall submit its Request for Arbitration ("Request") to the Secretariat. The Secretariat 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 arbitration.

3. The Request shall contain the following information:

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

b) the name in full, address and other contact details of any person(s) representing the claimant in the arbitration;

c) a description of the nature and circumstances of the dispute giving rise to the claims and of the basis upon which the claims are made;

d) a statement of the relief sought, together with the amounts of any quantified claims and, to the extent possible, an estimate of the monetary value of any other claims;

e) any relevant agreements and, in particular, the arbitration agreement(s);

f) where claims are made under more than one arbitration agreement, an indication of the arbitration agreement under which each claim is made;

g) all relevant particulars and any observations or proposals concerning the number of arbitrators and their choice in accordance with the provisions of Articles 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal) and 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators), and any nomination of an arbitrator required thereby; and

h) all relevant particulars and any observations or proposals as to the place of the arbitration, the applicable rules of law and the language of the arbitration.

The claimant may submit such other documents or information with the Request as it considers appropriate or as may contribute to the efficient resolution of the dispute.

5. Together with the Request, the claimant shall:

a) submit the number of copies thereof required by Article 3 (Written Notifications or Communications and Time Limits), Paragraph 1; and

b) make payment of the filing fee required by Appendix 3 (“Costs”) 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 claimant’s right to submit the same claims at a later date in another Request.

6. The Secretariat shall transmit 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 filing fee.

1. Within 30 days from receipt of the Request from the Secretariat, the respondent shall submit an Answer which shall contain the following information:

a) its name in full, description, address and other contact details;

b) the name in full, address and other contact details of any person(s) representing the respondent in the arbitration;

c) its comments as to the nature and circumstances of the dispute giving rise to the claims and the basis upon which the claims are made;

d) its response to the relief sought;

e) any observations or proposals concerning the number of arbitrators and their choice in light of the claimant’s proposals and in accordance with the provisions of Articles 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal) and 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators), and any nomination of an arbitrator required thereby; and

f) any observations or proposals as to the place of the arbitration, the applicable rules of law and the language of the arbitration. The respondent may submit such other documents or information with the Answer as it considers appropriate or as may contribute to the efficient resolution of the dispute.

2. The Secretariat may grant the respondent an extension of the time for submitting the Answer, provided the application for such an extension contains the respondent’s observations or proposals concerning the number of arbitrators and their choice and, where required by Articles 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal) and 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators), the nomination of an arbitrator. If the respondent fails to do so, the PICCR shall proceed in accordance with the Rules.

3. The Answer shall be submitted to the Secretariat in the number of copies specified by Article 3 (Written Notifications or Communications and Time Limits), Paragraph 1.

4. The Secretariat shall communicate the Answer and the documents annexed thereto to all other parties.

5. Any counterclaims made by the respondent shall be submitted with the Answer and shall provide:

a) description of the nature and circumstances of the dispute giving rise to the counterclaims and of the basis upon which the counterclaims are made;

b) a statement of the relief sought together with the amounts of any quantified counterclaims and, to the extent possible, an estimate of the monetary value of any other counterclaims;

c) any relevant agreements and, in particular, the arbitration agreement(s); and

d) where counterclaims are made under more than one arbitration agreement, an indication of the arbitration agreement under which each counterclaim is made. The respondent may submit such other documents or information with the counterclaims as it considers appropriate or as may contribute to the efficient resolution of the dispute.

6. The claimant shall submit a reply to any counterclaim within 30 days from the date of receipt of the counterclaims communicated by the Secretariat. Prior to the transmission of the file to the arbitral tribunal, the Secretariat may grant the claimant an extension of time for submitting the reply.

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, unless they have agreed to submit to the Rules in effect on the date of their arbitration agreement.

2. By agreeing to arbitration under the Rules, the parties have accepted that the arbitration shall be administered by the PICCR.

3. If any party against which a claim has been made does not submit an Answer, or if any party raises one or more pleas concerning the existence, validity or scope of the arbitration agreement or concerning whether all of the claims made in the arbitration may be determined together in a single arbitration, the arbitration shall proceed and any question of jurisdiction or of whether the claims may be determined together in that arbitration shall be decided directly by the arbitral tribunal, unless the Secretariat refers the matter to the PICCR for its decision pursuant to Article 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraph 4.

4. In all cases referred to the PICCR under Article 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraph 3, the PICCR shall decide whether and to what extent the arbitration shall proceed. The arbitration shall proceed if and to the extent that the PICCR is prima facie satisfied that an arbitration agreement under the Rules may exist. In particular:

(i) where there are more than two parties to the arbitration, the arbitration shall proceed between those of the parties, including any additional parties joined pursuant to Article 7 (Joinder of Additional Parties), with respect to which the PICCR is prima facie satisfied that an arbitration agreement under the Rules that binds them all may exist; and

(ii) where claims pursuant to Article 9 (Multiple Contracts) are made under more than one arbitration agreement, the arbitration shall proceed as to those claims with respect to which the PICCR is prima facie satisfied:

(a) that the arbitration agreements under which those claims are made may be compatible, and

(b) that all parties to the arbitration may have agreed that those claims can be determined together in a single arbitration. The PICCR's decision pursuant to Article 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraph 4 is without prejudice to the admissibility or merits of any party’s plea or pleas.

5. In all matters decided by the PICCR under Article 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraph 4, any decision as to the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal, except as to parties or claims with respect to which the PICCR decides that the arbitration cannot proceed, shall then be taken by the arbitral tribunal itself.

6. Where the parties are notified of the PICCR’s decision pursuant to Article 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraph 4 that the arbitration cannot proceed in respect of some or all of them, any party retains the right to ask any court having jurisdiction whether or not, and in respect of which of them, there is a binding arbitration agreement.

7. Where the PICCR has decided pursuant to Article 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraph 4 that the arbitration cannot proceed in respect of any of the claims, such decision shall not prevent a party from reintroducing the same claim at a later date in other proceedings.

8. 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.

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

1. A party wishing to join an additional party to the arbitration shall submit its request for arbitration against the additional party (the “Request for Joinder”) to the Secretariat. The date on which the Request for Joinder is received by the Secretariat shall, for all purposes, be deemed to be the date of the commencement of arbitration against the additional party. Any such joinder shall be subject to the provisions of Articles 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraphs 3 to 7 and, 9 (Multiple Contracts). No additional party may be joined after the confirmation or appointment of any arbitrator, unless all parties, including the additional party, otherwise agree. The Secretariat may fix a time limit for the submission of a Request for Joinder.

2. The Request for Joinder shall contain the following information:

a) the case reference of the existing arbitration;

b) the name in full, description, address and other contact details of each of the parties, including the additional party; and

c) the information specified in Article 4 (Request for Arbitration), Paragraph 3 (c), (d), (e) and (f). The party filing the Request for Joinder may submit therewith such other documents or information as it considers appropriate or as may contribute to the efficient resolution of the dispute.

3. The provisions of Articles 4 (Request for Arbitration), Paragraphs 4 and 5 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the Request for Joinder.

4. The additional party shall submit an Answer in accordance, mutatis mutandis, with the provisions of Article 5 (Answer to the Request and Counterclaims), Paragraphs 1 to 4. The additional party may make claims against any other party in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 (Claims Between Multiple Parties).

1. In an arbitration with multiple parties, claims may be made by any party against any other party, subject to the provisions of Articles 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraphs 3 to 7 and 9 (Multiple Contracts) and provided that no new claims may be made after the Terms of Reference are signed or approved by the PICCR without the authorization of the arbitral tribunal pursuant to Article 23 (Terms of Reference), Paragraph 4.

2. Any party making a claim pursuant to Article 8 (Claims Between Multiple Parties), Paragraph 1 shall provide the information specified in Article 4 (Request for Arbitration), Paragraph 3 (c), (d), (e) and (f).

3. Before the Secretariat transmits the file to the arbitral tribunal in accordance with Article 16, the following provisions shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any claim made: Article 4 (Request for Arbitration), Paragraph 4

(a); Article 4 (Request for Arbitration), Paragraph 5; Article 5 (Answer to the Request and Counterclaims), Paragraph 1, except for subparagraphs (a),

(b), (e) and (f); Article 5 (Answer to the Request and Counterclaims), Paragraph 2; Article 5 (Answer to the Request and Counterclaims), Paragraphs 3 and 4. Thereafter, the arbitral tribunal shall determine the procedure for making a claim.

Subject to the provisions of Articles 6 (Effect of the Arbitration Agreement), Paragraphs 3 to 7 and 23 (Terms of Reference), Paragraph 4, claims arising out of or in connection with more than one contract may be made in a single arbitration, irrespective of whether such claims are made under one or more than one arbitration agreement under the Rules.

The PICCR may, at the request of a party, consolidate two or more arbitrations pending under the Rules into a single arbitration, where:

a) the parties have agreed to consolidation; or

b) all of the claims in the arbitrations are made under the same arbitration agreement; or

c) where the claims in the arbitrations are made under more than one arbitration agreement, the arbitrations are between the same parties, the disputes in the arbitrations arise in connection with the same legal relationship, and the PICCR finds the arbitration agreements to be compatible.

In deciding whether to consolidate, the PICCR may take into account any circumstances it considers to be relevant, including whether one or more arbitrators have been confirmed or appointed in more than one of the arbitrations and, if so, whether the same or different persons have been confirmed or appointed.

When arbitrations are consolidated, they shall be consolidated into the arbitration that commenced first, unless otherwise agreed by all parties.

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

2. Before appointment or confirmation, a prospective arbitrator shall sign a statement of acceptance, availability, impartiality and independence. The prospective arbitrator shall 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, as well as any circumstances that could give rise to reasonable doubts as to the arbitrator’s impartiality. 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 to those referred to in Article 11 (General Provisions), Paragraph 2 concerning the arbitrator’s impartiality or independence which may arise during the arbitration.

4. The decisions of the PICCR as to the appointment, confirmation, challenge or replacement of an arbitrator shall be final.

5. By accepting to serve, arbitrators undertake to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the Rules and such other rules and guidelines that the PICCR may issue from time to time.

6. Insofar as the parties have not provided otherwise, the arbitral tribunal shall be constituted in accordance with the provisions of Articles 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal) and 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators).

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 PICCR shall appoint a sole arbitrator, save where it appears to the PICCR 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 receipt of the notification of the decision of the PICCR, and the respondent shall nominate an arbitrator within a period of 15 days from receipt of the notification of the nomination made by the claimant. If a party fails to nominate an arbitrator, the appointment shall be made by the PICCR. Sole Arbitrator

3. Where the parties have agreed that the dispute shall be resolved 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 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 PICCR. Three Arbitrators

4. Where the parties have agreed that the dispute shall be resolved by 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 PICCR.

5. Where the dispute is to be referred to three arbitrators, the third arbitrator, who will act as chair of the arbitral tribunal, shall be appointed by the PICCR, unless the parties have agreed upon another procedure for such appointment, in which case the nomination will be subject to confirmation pursuant to Article 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators). Should such procedure not result in a nomination within 30 days from the confirmation or appointment of the co-arbitrators or any other time limit agreed by the parties or fixed by the PICCR, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the PICCR.

6. Where there are multiple claimants or multiple respondents, 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 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators).

7. Where an additional party has been joined, and where the dispute is to be referred to three arbitrators, the additional party may, jointly with the claimant(s) or with the respondent(s), nominate an arbitrator for confirmation pursuant to Article 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators).

8. In the absence of a joint nomination pursuant to Articles 12 (Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal), Paragraphs 6 or, 7 and where all parties are unable to agree to a method for the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, the PICCR may appoint each member of the arbitral tribunal and shall designate one of them to act as chair. In such case, the PICCR shall be at liberty to choose any person it regards as suitable to act as arbitrator, applying Article 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators) when it considers this appropriate.

1. In confirming or appointing arbitrators, the PICCR 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 the Rules. The same shall apply where the Secretariat confirms arbitrators pursuant to Article 13 (Appointment and Confirmation of the Arbitrators), Paragraph 2.

2. The Secretariat may confirm as co-arbitrators, sole arbitrators and chairs of arbitral tribunals persons nominated by the parties or pursuant to their particular agreements, provided that the statement they have submitted contains no qualification regarding impartiality or independence or that a qualified statement regarding impartiality or independence has not given rise to objections. Such confirmation shall be reported to the PICCR at its next session. If the Secretariat considers that a co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator or chair of an arbitral tribunal should not be confirmed, the matter shall be submitted to the PICCR.

3. Where the PICCR is to appoint an arbitrator, it shall make the appointment upon proposal of the Secretariat. If the PICCR does not accept the proposal made, or if the Secretariat fails to make the proposal requested within the time limit fixed by the PICCR, the PICCR may repeat its request, request a proposal from the Secretariat, or appoint directly any person whom it regards as suitable.

4. For arbitrations where a party or the parties are of different nationalities, the sole arbitrator or the chair of the arbitral tribunal shall be of a nationality other than those of the parties. However, in suitable circumstances and provided that none of the parties objects within the time limit fixed by the PICCR, the sole arbitrator or the chair of the arbitral tribunal may be chosen from a country of which any of the parties is a national.

1. A challenge of an arbitrator, whether for an alleged lack of impartiality or 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 submitted 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 PICCR 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.

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

2. An arbitrator shall also be replaced on the PICCR's own initiative when it decides that the arbitrator is prevented de jure or de facto from fulfilling the arbitrator’s functions, or that the arbitrator is not fulfilling those 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 PICCR considers applying Article 15 (Replacement of Arbitrators), Paragraph 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 PICCR 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 PICCR pursuant to Articles 15 (Replacement of Arbitrators), Paragraphs 1 or 2, the PICCR may decide, when it considers it appropriate, that the remaining arbitrators shall continue the arbitration. In making such determination, the PICCR 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 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, pursuant to Appendix 3, has been paid.

At any time after the commencement of the arbitration, the arbitral tribunal or the Secretariat may require proof of the authority of any party representatives.

1. The place of the arbitration shall be fixed by the arbitral tribunal unless agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such agreement, unless otherwise fixed by the PICCR.

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.

The proceedings before the arbitral tribunal shall be governed by the Rules and, where the 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.

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.

1. The parties are free to agree on 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. The arbitral tribunal shall take account of the provisions of the contract, if any, between the parties and of any 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.

1. The arbitral tribunal and the parties shall make every effort to conduct the arbitration in an expeditious and cost-effective manner, having regard to the complexity and value of the dispute.

2. In order to ensure effective case management, the arbitral tribunal, after consulting the parties, may adopt such procedural measures as it considers appropriate, provided that they are not contrary to any agreement of the parties.

3. Upon the request of any party, the arbitral tribunal may make orders concerning the confidentiality of the arbitration proceedings or of any other matters in connection with the arbitration and may take measures for protecting trade secrets and confidential information.

4. In all cases, the arbitral tribunal shall act fairly and impartially and ensure that each party has a reasonable opportunity to present its case.

5. The parties undertake to comply with any order made by the arbitral tribunal.

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) names in full, description, address and other contact details of each of the parties and of any person(s) representing a party in the arbitration;

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

c) summary of the parties’ respective claims and of the relief sought by each party, together with the amounts of any quantified claims and, to the extent possible, an estimate of the monetary value of any other claims;

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

e) the names in full, address and other contact details of each 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 30 days of the date on which the file has been transmitted to it, the arbitral tribunal shall transmit to the PICCR the Terms of Reference signed by it and by the parties. The PICCR 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 PICCR for approval. When the Terms of Reference have been signed in accordance with Article 23 (Terms of Reference), Paragraph 2 or approved by the PICCR, the arbitration shall proceed.

4. After the Terms of Reference have been signed or approved by the PICCR, no party shall make new claims 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, the stage of the arbitration and other relevant circumstances.

1. When drawing up the Terms of Reference or as soon as possible thereafter, the arbitral tribunal shall convene a case management conference to consult the parties on procedural measures that may be adopted pursuant to Article 22 (Conduct of the Arbitration), Paragraph 2.

2. During or following such conference, the arbitral tribunal shall establish the procedural timetable that it intends to follow for the conduct of the arbitration. The procedural timetable and any modifications thereto shall be communicated to the PICCR and the parties.

3. To ensure continued effective case management, the arbitral tribunal, after consulting the parties by means of a further case management conference or otherwise, may adopt further procedural measures or modify the procedural timetable.

4. Case management conferences may be conducted through a meeting in person, by videoconference, telephone or similar means of communication. In the absence of an agreement of the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall determine the means by which the conference will be conducted. The arbitral tribunal may request the parties to submit case management proposals in advance of a case management conference and may request the attendance at any case management conference of the parties in person or through an internal representative.

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.

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.

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.

1. A party may apply to the arbitral tribunal for the early dismissal of a claim or defense on the basis that:

a) a claim or defense is manifestly without legal merit; or

b) a claim or defense is manifestly outside the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal.

2. An application for the early dismissal of a claim or defense shall state in detail the facts and legal basis supporting the application. The party applying for early dismissal shall, at the same time as it files the application with the arbitral tribunal, send a copy of the application to the other party, and shall notify the arbitral tribunal that it has done so, specifying the mode of service employed and the date of service.

3. The arbitral tribunal may, in its discretion, allow the application for the early dismissal of a claim or defense under this Article 28 (Early Dismissal of Claims and Defenses) to proceed. If the application is allowed to proceed, the arbitral tribunal shall, after giving the parties the opportunity to be heard, decide whether to grant, in whole or in part, the application for early dismissal.

4. If the application is allowed to proceed, the arbitral tribunal shall make an order or Award on the application, with reasons, which may be in summary form. The order or Award shall be made within 60 days of the date of filing of the application, unless, in exceptional circumstances, the Secretariat extends the time.

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.

1. A party that needs urgent interim or conservatory measures that cannot await the constitution of an arbitral tribunal (“Emergency Measures”) may make an application for such measures pursuant to the Emergency Arbitration Rules in Appendix 1. Any such application shall be accepted only if it is received by the Secretariat prior to the transmission of the file to the arbitral tribunal pursuant to Article 16 (Transmission of the File to the Arbitral Tribunal) and irrespective of whether the party making the application has already submitted its Request.

2. The emergency arbitrator’s decision shall take the form of an order. The parties undertake to comply with any order made by the emergency arbitrator.

3. The emergency arbitrator’s order shall not bind the arbitral tribunal with respect to any question, issue or dispute determined in the order. The arbitral tribunal may modify, terminate or annul the order or any modification thereto made by the emergency arbitrator.

4. The arbitral tribunal shall decide upon any party’s requests or claims related to the emergency arbitrator proceedings, including the reallocation of the costs of such proceedings and any claims arising out of or in connection with the compliance or non-compliance with the order.

5. Article 30 (Emergency Arbitrator), Paragraphs 1 to 4 and the Emergency Arbitration Rules set forth in Appendix 1 (collectively the “Emergency Arbitrator Provisions”) shall apply only to parties that are either signatories of the arbitration agreement under the Rules that is relied upon for the application or successors to such signatories.

6. The Emergency Arbitrator Provisions shall not apply if:

(a) the parties have agreed to opt out of the Emergency Arbitrator Provisions; or

(b) the parties have agreed to another pre-arbitral procedure that provides for the granting of conservatory, interim or similar measures.

7. The Emergency Arbitrator Provisions are not intended to prevent any party from seeking urgent interim or conservatory measures from a competent judicial authority at any time prior to making an application for such measures, and in appropriate circumstances even thereafter, pursuant to the Rules. Any application for such measures from a competent judicial authority shall not be deemed to be an infringement or a waiver of the arbitration agreement. Any such application and any measures taken by the judicial authority must be notified without delay to the Secretariat.

1. By agreeing to arbitration under the Rules, the parties agree that this Article 31 (Expedited Procedure) and the Expedited Procedure Rules set forth in Appendix 2 (collectively the “Expedited Procedure Provisions”) shall take precedence over any contrary terms of the arbitration agreement.

2. The Expedited Procedure Provisions shall apply if:

a) the amount in dispute does not exceed the limit set out in Article

1(Expedited Procedure Rules) of Appendix 2 at the time of the communication referred to in Article 1 (Expedited Procedure Rules), Paragraph 3 of that Appendix; or

b) the parties so agree.

3. The Expedited Procedure Provisions shall not apply if:

a) the parties have agreed to opt out of the Expedited Procedure Provisions; or

b) the PICCR, upon the request of a party before the constitution of the arbitral tribunal or on its own motion, determines that it is inappropriate in the circumstances to apply the Expedited Procedure Provisions.

1. The time limit within which the arbitral tribunal must render its final award is 6 months. Such time limit shall start to run from the date of the last signature by the arbitral tribunal or by the parties of the Terms of Reference or, in the case of application of Article 23 (Terms of Reference), Paragraph 3, the date of the notification to the arbitral tribunal by the Secretariat of the approval of the Terms of Reference by the PICCR. The PICCR may fix a different time limit based upon the procedural timetable established pursuant to Article 24 (Case Management Conference and Procedural Timetable), Paragraph 2.

2. The PICCR may extend the 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.

1. When the arbitral tribunal is composed of more than one arbitrator, an award is made by a majority decision. If there is no majority on all or specific issues, the award shall be made by the chair of the arbitral tribunal alone in respect either of all or the specific issues on which there is no majority decision.

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.

4. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may make separate awards on different issues at different times.

If the parties reach a settlement after the file has been transmitted to the arbitral tribunal in accordance with Article 16 (Transmission of the File to the Arbitral Tribunal), 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.

Before signing any award, the arbitral tribunal shall submit it in draft form to the PICCR. The PICCR may lay down modifications as to the form of the award and, having due regard to the arbitral tribunal’s power to resolve the dispute, 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 PICCR as to its form.

1. Once an award has been made, the Secretariat shall notify the parties of the text signed by the arbitral tribunal, provided always that the costs of the arbitration have been fully paid to the PICCR by the parties or by one of them.

2. Additional copies certified true by the Secretariat 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 Article 36 (Notification, Deposit and Enforceability of the Award), Paragraph 1, 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 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 the 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.

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 PICCR 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 37 (Correction and Interpretation of the Award; Remission of Awards; Additional Awards), Paragraph 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 (Written Notifications or Communications and Time Limits), Paragraph 1. After transmittal of the application to the arbitral tribunal, the latter 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. The arbitral tribunal shall submit its decision on the application in draft form to the PICCR 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 PICCR may decide.

3. A 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 33 (Making of the Award), 35 (PICCR Review and Recommendation) and 36 (Notification, Deposit and Enforceability of the Award) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

4. Where a court remits an award to the arbitral tribunal, the provisions of Articles 33 (Making of the Award), 35 (PICCR Review and Recommendation) and 36 Notification, Deposit and Enforceability of the Award) shall apply mutatis mutandis to any addendum or award made pursuant to the terms of such remission. The PICCR may take any steps as may be necessary to enable the arbitral tribunal to comply with the terms of such remission and may fix an advance to cover any additional fees and expenses of the arbitral tribunal and any additional PICCR administrative expenses.

5. Within 30 days after receipt of the award, either party, with notice to the other party, may request the arbitral tribunal to make an additional award as to claims presented in the arbitration but omitted from the award. The arbitral tribunal may set a time limit, normally not exceeding 30 days, for the other party to comment on such request.

6. If the arbitral tribunal considers the request for an additional award to be justified, it shall make the additional award within 60 days after receipt of the request but may extend such period of time if necessary.

7. The arbitral tribunal has the power to make an additional award which is necessitated by or consequential on the correction of any error or the interpretation of any point or part of the award under this Article 37 (Correction and Interpretation of the Award; Remission of Awards; Additional Awards).

8. When an additional award is made, the provisions of Article 33 (Making of the Award) shall apply.

1. After receipt of the Request, the Secretariat may request the claimant to pay a provisional advance in an amount intended to cover the costs of the arbitration

a) until the Terms of Reference have been drawn up; or

b) when the Expedited Procedure Provisions apply, until the case management conference.

Any provisional advance paid will be considered as a partial payment by the claimant of any advance on costs fixed by the PICCR pursuant to this Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration).

2. As soon as practicable, the PICCR shall fix the advance on costs in an amount likely to cover the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and the administrative expenses for the claims which have been referred to it by the parties, unless any claims are made under Article 7 (Joinder of Additional Parties) or 8 (Claims Between Multiple Parties) in which case Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration), Paragraph 4 shall apply. The advance on costs fixed by the PICCR pursuant to this Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration), Paragraph 2 shall be payable in equal shares by the claimant and the respondent.

3. Where counterclaims are submitted by the respondent under Article 5 (Answer to the Request and Counterclaims) or otherwise, the PICCR may fix separate advances on costs for the claims and the counterclaims. When the PICCR has fixed separate advances on costs, each of the parties shall pay the advance on costs corresponding to its claims.

4. Where claims are made under Article 7 (Joinder of Additional Parties) or 8 (Claims Between Multiple Parties), the PICCR shall fix one or more advances on costs that shall be payable by the parties as decided by the PICCR. Where the PICCR has previously fixed any advance on costs pursuant to this Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration), any such advance shall be replaced by the advance(s) fixed pursuant to this Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration), Paragraph 4, and the amount of any advance previously paid by any party will be considered as a partial payment by such party of its share of the advance(s) on costs as fixed by the PICCR pursuant to this Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration), Paragraph 4.

5. The amount of any advance on costs fixed by the PICCR pursuant to this Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration) may be subject to readjustment at any time during the arbitration. In all cases, any party shall be free to pay any other party’s share of any advance on costs should such other party fail to pay its share.

6. When a request for an advance on costs has not been complied with, and after consultation with the arbitral tribunal, the Secretariat 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 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 PICCR. Such party shall not be prevented, on the ground of such withdrawal, from reintroducing the same claims at a later date in another proceeding. The Secretariat may, instead of directing the suspension of the proceedings, if it considers appropriate, allow the arbitral tribunal to proceed with the arbitration with respect to claims or counterclaims for which the corresponding advance on costs have been separately determined and paid pursuant to Article 38 (Advance to Cover the Costs of the Arbitration), Paragraph 3.

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

1. The costs of the arbitration shall include the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and the administrative fees fixed by the PICCR in accordance with such schedules in force at the time of the commencement of the arbitration, 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 PICCR may fix the fees of the arbitrators at a figure higher or lower than that which would result from the application of the relevant schedule should this be deemed necessary due to the exceptional circumstances of the case.

3. At any time during the arbitral proceedings, the arbitral tribunal may make decisions on costs, other than those to be fixed by the PICCR, and order payment.

4. 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.

5. In making decisions as to costs, the arbitral tribunal may take into account such circumstances as it considers relevant, including the extent to which each party has conducted the arbitration in an expeditious and costeffective manner.

6. In the event of the withdrawal of all claims or the termination of the arbitration before the rendering of a final award, the PICCR shall fix the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and the administrative expenses. If the parties have not agreed upon the allocation of the costs of the arbitration or other relevant issues with respect to costs, such matters shall be decided by the arbitral tribunal. If the arbitral tribunal has not been constituted at the time of such withdrawal or termination, any party may request the PICCR to proceed with the constitution of the arbitral tribunal in accordance with the Rules so that the arbitral tribunal may make decisions as to costs.