Procedural efficiency

Delivery of documents can be electronic

Articles 1.3
& 2.3

Parties now have the option to submit LCIA requests and responses in electronic format (using standard LCIA forms), in hard copy or both.

Shorter deadline for response

Article 2.1

The period of time that parties have to respond to a request has decreased from 30 days to 28 days.

Arbitral candidate written declarations

Article 5.4

The previous rules required candidates to make written declarations attesting to their impartiality and independence. Now candidates must also declare their willingness to devote sufficient time to ensure the arbitration is conducted expeditiously.

Default appointment of sole arbitrator or three-member tribunal

Articles 5.6
& 5.8

The LCIA’s default appointment of a sole arbitrator or three-member tribunal will now be made 35 days from the start of arbitration, instead of 30 days from service of the request on the respondent. In exceptional circumstances, the LCIA may now appoint more than three arbitrators for a tribunal.

Time limit for challenging arbitrator

Article 10.3

The deadline to challenge an arbitrator’s appointment has been reduced to 14 days from the formation of the tribunal, or within 14 days of becoming aware of any grounds for opposition.

Timetable for award

Article 15.10

Tribunals are now obliged to make final awards as soon as reasonably possible following last submissions. The award must also be served in accordance with a timetable that has already been notified to the parties and the registrar.

Consolidation

Article 22.1(ix)

Provided that the LCIA agrees, tribunals can now consolidate one or more arbitrations into a single arbitration, where all conditions are satisfied.

Urgent relief

Emergency arbitrator

Article 9B

Urgent interim relief may now be granted before the formation (or expedited formation) of a tribunal through the appointment of a temporary sole arbitrator.

The party must make a written application to the registrar setting out its reasons for requiring emergency relief. Upon approval by the LCIA Court, an emergency arbitrator will be appointed within three days of receipt of the application.

The claim must be decided as soon as possible, or within 14 days of the arbitrator’s appointment. The emergency arbitrator may decide the application without a hearing, and once a tribunal proper is formed it may vary, discharge or revoke any award made by the temporary arbitrator.

Professional integrity

Legal representatives

Article 18

Parties must ensure that that their legal representatives, appearing by name before the tribunal, have agreed to comply with the new General Guidelines for the Parties’ Legal Representatives (contained in an annex to the rules).

If a tribunal finds that a representative has violated the conduct provisions, the representative may be reprimanded, cautioned or instructed by the tribunal to take any necessary measures to fulfil the required duties. Representatives must be granted the opportunity to answer any complaints before sanctions are imposed.