Strong from the Swiss expertise in dispute resolution and to enrich the thriving commodity trading community in Switzerland, SUISSENÉGOCE and the CCIG have closely worked together to create ACT, soon joined in this initiative by SCAI, the Swiss Chambers' Arbitration Institution.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution for Commodity Trading, Shipping and Trade Finance provides enhanced flexible tools to navigate a time-saving and effective dispute resolution process, with:
The Swiss Rules of International Arbitration are procedural rules which provide the framework for the arbitration proceeding only. Under the Swiss Rules, the parties are free to choose whichever law they deem to be appropriate for the transaction, the language of the arbitration, the number of arbitrators, and, of course, to select their legal counsel and the seat of arbitration wherever they consider most appropriate.
The Swiss Rules are globally recognised and have many time-saving features. The rules are well known for their expedited procedure which allows for an award to be rendered by a sole arbitrator in 6 months.
Parties are equally given a great amount of autonomy and flexibility in mediation under the Swiss Rules of Commercial Mediation.
As the sector's umbrella association, SUISSENÉGOCE promotes efficient and cost effective alternative dispute resolution, that takes into account the specificities of commodity trading, shipping and trade finance. ACT is designed to offer valuable service to SUISSENÉGOCE's Members and to the Swiss commodity trading community.
Note that SUISSENÉGOCE is not involved in arbitration or mediation cases and has no access to any information related to them and the parties. All arbitration and mediation cases will be administered exclusively by the SCAI, which ensures that the cases remain strictly confidential as is required under the Swiss Rules.
SUISSENÉGOCE, SCAI and the CCIG have developed a tailor made clause to allow you to customise your dispute resolution process. It is designed to expedite the proceedings and ultimately, aims to reduce the cost of an arbitration case. The Standard Clause gives the option to mediate at any time before or during the arbitration under the Swiss Rules of Commercial Mediation.
There are four options, which can be added to the Standard Clause à la carte, meaning that you can customise your clause by selecting any combination of the following options:
1. Submit the case to the Expedited Procedure (Article 42 of the Swiss Rules)
2. Resolve the dispute on the basis of documentary evidence only
3. Shorten the time-limit for the Respondent’s Answer to the Notice of Arbitration
4. Shorten the time-limit for the designation of an arbitrator
The optional list of arbitrators and mediators has been carefully compiled by an independent Selecting Committee composed of commodity traders, dispute resolution practitioners and field specialists. The Selecting Committee identified well recognised arbitrators and mediators, who are highly specialised in the commodity trading, shipping and trade finance field and enjoy confirmed field experience and expertise.
For further information, do not hesitate to contact office@swissarbitration.org.
Every year, the Selecting Committee re-evaluates the list. At any time, and without providing reason, the Selecting Committee may withdraw an arbitrator or a mediator from the list.
The following are guidelines and will not be adhered to rigidly, and Applicants will not necessarily have to combine all of the following criteria.
Applicants for the arbitrators’ list must have a reasonable period of experience (e.g. 5 years) in the particular trade for which they are asking to be considered as an arbitrator and in addition should:
In all cases, Applicants for the arbitrators’ list must provide two references.
Applicants for the mediators’ list must have a reasonable period of experience (e.g. 5 years) in the particular trade for which they are asking to be considered as a mediator and in addition should:
In all cases, Applicants for the mediators’ list must provide two references. If required, Applicants for either list will be asked to attend an interview with the Selecting Committee or delegates of the Selecting Committee before being accepted for appointment to the List.
Applicants may be required to resubmit an application in appropriate circumstances.
For the inclusion on Arbitrator List B (non-lawyers; recommended as co-arbitrators):
In all cases, Applicants for the arbitrators' list must provide two references.
