Number of Arbitrators and Method of Their Appointment - Additional Facility Arbitration (2006 Rules)
Parties should agree on the number of arbitrators on a Tribunal and the method of their appointment. If they cannot agree, ICSID’s default mechanism will apply (Articles 6 and 9 of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules).
Method of Constitution of a Tribunal
Method of Constitution of a Tribunal
Party Agreement
As a first step in the appointment process, the parties should refer to the contract, treaty or law containing the parties’ agreement to refer the dispute to arbitration under the ICSID Additional Facility Rules. This instrument may set forth a prior agreement between the parties on the number of arbitrators and/or the method of their appointment when it registers the request for arbitration.
Absent a prior agreement, ICSID invites the parties to agree on the number of arbitrators and the method of their appointment when it registers the request for arbitration.
A Tribunal must always consist of a sole arbitrator or any uneven number of arbitrators. The Parties are otherwise free to adopt any workable method of appointment that suits their needs, including provisions on time limits and special procedures. The parties do not have to appoint arbitrators from the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators.
The most common agreements for three-member Tribunals are:
As a first step in the appointment process, the parties should refer to the contract, treaty or law containing the parties’ agreement to refer the dispute to arbitration under the ICSID Additional Facility Rules. This instrument may set forth a prior agreement between the parties on the number of arbitrators and/or the method of their appointment when it registers the request for arbitration.
Absent a prior agreement, ICSID invites the parties to agree on the number of arbitrators and the method of their appointment when it registers the request for arbitration.
A Tribunal must always consist of a sole arbitrator or any uneven number of arbitrators. The Parties are otherwise free to adopt any workable method of appointment that suits their needs, including provisions on time limits and special procedures. The parties do not have to appoint arbitrators from the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators.
The most common agreements for three-member Tribunals are:
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Each party appoints one co-arbitrator, and the parties attempt to agree on the third arbitrator, the President of the Tribunal. If the parties fail to agree, the Secretary-General (or the Chairman of the Administrative Council) of ICSID appoints the President.
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Each party appoints one co-arbitrator, and the co-arbitrators attempt to agree on the third arbitrator, the President of the Tribunal. If the co-arbitrators fail to agree, the Secretary-General (or the Chairman of the Administrative Council) of ICSID appoints the President.
As part of their agreement on the method for constituting the Tribunal, the parties may agree to adopt a list procedure concerning proposed candidates. List procedures can be used for a sole arbitrator, the President of the Tribunal or all members of the Tribunal. Commonly used list procedures include:
- The parties exchange a list of candidates; each party informs the other party of the candidate(s) whom it accepts or rejects.
- The parties request that ICSID provide them with a list of candidates. Each party can strike a certain number of candidates and rank the remaining candidates. The candidate with the best ranking is appointed.
ICSID supports parties’ efforts to agree on the method of appointment and will follow the agreed method and facilitate the process to the fullest extent possible.
Default Mechanism
If no agreement on the number of arbitrators and the method of their appointment is reached within 60 days after registration of the request for arbitration, either party may request the application of ICSID’s default formula under Article 6(1) and Article 9 of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules. The formula provides that:
Default Mechanism
If no agreement on the number of arbitrators and the method of their appointment is reached within 60 days after registration of the request for arbitration, either party may request the application of ICSID’s default formula under Article 6(1) and Article 9 of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules. The formula provides that:
- The Tribunal consists of three arbitrators.
- Each party appoints one co-arbitrator.
- The parties attempt to agree on the third arbitrator, the President of the Tribunal.
In cases where the default formula applies, Article 9 of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules sets forth the process by which the parties appoint the members of the Tribunal:
- The first party to appoint an arbitrator also proposes a candidate to serve as President of the Tribunal.
- The other party then appoints an arbitrator and either agrees to the appointment of the arbitrator proposed for President or proposes another candidate.
- If a counterproposal is made, the party making the first appointment then indicates whether it agrees to the new proposal for President.
- The parties are not limited in the number of proposals or counterproposals that can be made.
No Agreement ("Default Mechanism") Article 9 of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules
The parties may agree on a different method of constituting the Tribunal even after a party has raised the ICSID default formula.
If the parties are unable to appoint all members of the Tribunal under the established method, either party may invoke the ICSID default mechanism for appointing the missing arbitrator(s).
If the parties are unable to appoint all members of the Tribunal under the established method, either party may invoke the ICSID default mechanism for appointing the missing arbitrator(s).