Free hearing space in cases involving States

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HKIAC Offers Free Hearing Space in Cases Involving Developing States

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) is pleased to announce that it shall offer its hearing and meeting rooms to parties free-of-charge in respect of dispute resolution proceedings administered by HKIAC, seated in or outside of Hong Kong, in which at least one party is a State listed on the OECD DAC List of ODA assistance (“OECD List”). For further information on the OECD List and to see a list of States, click here:  OECD List.

This initiative facilitates eligible States’ access to world-class hearing facilities and represents a reduction in costs for all parties involved. It is relevant, but not limited to, investor-State arbitration, particularly in the Asian region, in which the respondent State is included on the OECD List and the parties agree to HKIAC administration. HKIAC has significant experience administering arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules which are frequently included in bilateral investment treaties for investor-State dispute resolution. The initiative is also of particular relevance to China’s One Belt One Road outward bound investment initiative given that of the 65 One Belt One Road Countries, 70% are included on the OECD list.

In 2016, HKIAC’s hearing facilities were ranked first worldwide for location, value for money, IT services and helpfulness of staff in Global Arbitration Review’s Hearing Centres Survey. They are located in the heart of Hong Kong’s central business district, just above the airport express link, with magnificent views over Victoria Harbour. Multi-purpose rooms can be configured to meet the needs of any hearing, conference or meeting. As well as hearing rooms, HKIAC offers individual break-out rooms, global video-conferencing equipment, an in-house library and wireless internet access throughout. For a complete overview of our facilities please click HKIAC Facilities.

HKIAC also offers a tribunal secretary service according to which tribunals may appoint a legal counsel from HKIAC’s secretariat to undertake administrative tasks on the tribunal’s behalf (see here: Tribunal Secretary Services). HKIAC has issued guidelines on the use of tribunal secretaries.

By alleviating the tribunal of purely administrative tasks, the appointment of a tribunal secretary saves parties costs and increases procedural efficiency.   

Queries may be addressed to:

Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
38th Floor, Two Exchange Square
8 Connaught Place
Hong Kong S.A.R.
China

Telephone: +852 2525 2381
Fax: +852 2524 2171
Email: adr@hkiac.org