ICC Introduces Expedited Procedure Rules
In a generally welcomed move, revised ICC arbitration rules came into force on 1 March 2017. One of the main changes is the introduction of an Expedited Procedure (Article 30 and Appendix VI), which allows certain cases to be decided by a sole arbitrator on the basis of documents only, without any hearing and without procedures such as requests for disclosure of documents, which can add significantly to the cost of a case. A lower fee scale will apply to Expedited Procedure cases. The Expedited Procedure will apply automatically to disputes with a value of under US$ 2 million, although parties may agree to opt out. An opt-in to the expedited route is available for all other cases. A Revised Note to Parties and Arbitral Tribunals on the Conduct of the Arbitration has also been adopted. It sets out guidance on the Expedited Procedure and introduces new policies applicable to all ICC arbitrations.