CIETAC releases new version of arbitration rules

The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) released the new version of arbitration rules and its Annual Report on International Commercial Arbitration in China (2022-2023) in Beijing on Sept 5.

The newly-released arbitration rules have improved the design of relevant procedures while fostering institutional innovation, to continuously enhance the autonomy, flexibility, fairness, efficiency and transparency of arbitration proceedings, according to Wang Chengjie vice-chairman and secretary-general of the CIETAC, noting that these improvements will help provide high-level institutional support for the high-quality development of CIETAC arbitrations, offering Chinese and foreign parties more international and professional dispute resolution services.  

The revision of the arbitration rules involves more than 30 items, including promoting the widespread application of digitalized and intelligent arbitration procedures and actively responding to the needs in the digital age. The arbitral tribunal will have the authority to make decisions regarding issues such as online video hearings, the validity of arbitrators' electronic signatures and the delivery of electronic versions of arbitral awards.

For the first time, the rules explicitly state the effectiveness of pre-arbitration procedures in filing an application for arbitration, clarifying that the pre-arbitration procedures outlined in the arbitration agreement will not impede applicants' rights to arbitral proceedings. 

The rate standard of arbitration fees for domestic cases has been reduced, further alleviating the arbitration cost for parties involved in the process, according to the rules.