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Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1988 (NG)

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

Table of Contents

An Act to provide a unified legal framework for the fair and efficient settlement of commercial disputes by arbitration and conciliation; and to make applicable the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards (New York Convention) to any award made in Nigeria or in any contracting State arising out of international commercial arbitration.

[Commencement.] [14th March, 1988]

PART I

Arbitration

Arbitration agreement

1. Form of arbitration agreement

(1) Every arbitration agreement shall be in writing contained-

(a) in a document signed by the parties; or

(b) in an exchange of letters, telex, telegrams or other means of communication which provide a record of the arbitration agreement; or

(c) in an exchange of points of claim and of defence in which the existence of an arbitration agreement is alleged by one party and not denied by another.

(2) Any reference in a contract to a document containing an arbitration clause constitutes an arbitration agreement if such contract is in writing and the reference is such as to make that clause part of the contract.

2. Arbitration agreement irrevocable except by agreement or leave of court

Unless a contrary intention is expressed therein, an arbitration agreement shall be irrevocable except by agreement of the parties or by leave of the court or a judge.

3. Death of party

An arbitration agreement shall not be invalid by reason of the death of any party thereto but shall, in such an event, be enforceable by or against the personal representative of the deceased.

4. Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court

(1) A court before which an action, which is the subject of an arbitration agreement is brought shall, if any party so requests not later than when submitting his first statement on the substance of the dispute, order a stay of proceedings and refer the parties to arbitration.

(2) Where an action referred to in subsection (1) of this section has been brought before a court, arbitral proceedings may nevertheless be commenced or continued, and an award may be made by the arbitral tribunal while the matter is pending before the court.

5. Power to stay proceedings

(1) If any party to an arbitration agreement commences any action in any court with respect to any matter which is the subject of an arbitration agreement, any party to the arbitration agreement may, at any time after appearance and before delivering any pleadings or taking any other steps in the proceedings, apply to the court to stay the proceedings.

(2) A court to which an application is made under subsection (1) of his section may, if it is satisfied-

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

(a) that there is no sufficient reason why the matter should not be referred to arbitration in accordance with the arbitration agreement; and

(b) that the applicant was at the time when the action was commenced and still remains ready and willing to do all things necessary to the proper conduct of the arbitration,

make an order staying the proceedings.

Composition of Arbitral Tribunal

6. Number of arbitrators

The parties to an arbitration agreement may determine the number of arbitrators to be appointed under the agreement, but where no such determination is made, the number of arbitrators shall be deemed to be three.

7. Appointment of arbitrators

(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4) of this section, the parties may specify in the arbitration agreement the procedure to be followed in appointing an arbitrator.

(2) Where no procedure is specified under subsection (1) of this section-

(a) in the case of an arbitration with three arbitrators, each party shall appoint one arbitrator and the two thus appointed shall appoint the third, so however, that-

(i) if a party fails to appoint the arbitrator within thirty days of receipt of a request to do so by the other party; or

(ii) if the two arbitrators fail to agree on the third arbitrator within thirty days of their appointments,

the appointment shall be made by the Court on the application of any party to the arbitration agreement;

(b) in the case of an arbitration with one arbitrator, where the parties fail to agree on the arbitrator, the appointment shall be made by the Court on the application of any party to the arbitration agreement made within thirty days of such disagreement.

(3) Where, under an appointment procedure agreed upon by the parties-

(a) a party fails to act as required under the procedure; or

(b) the parties or two arbitrators are unable to reach agreement as required under the procedure; or

(c) a third party, including an institution, fails to perform any duty imposed on it under the procedure,

any party may request the Court to take the necessary measure, unless the appointment procedure agreed upon by the parties provides other means for securing the appointment.

(4) A decision of the Court under subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not be subject to appeal.

(5) The Court in exercising its power of appointment under subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall have due regard to any qualifications required of the arbitrator by the arbitration agreement and such other consideration as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator.

8. Grounds for challenge

(1) Any person who knows of any circumstances likely to give rise to any justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence shall, when approached in connection with an appointment as arbitrator, forthwith disclose such circumstances to the parties.

(2) The duty to disclose imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall, continue after a person has been appointed as an arbitrator and subsist throughout the arbitral proceedings, unless the arbitrator had previously disclosed the circumstances to the parties.

(3) An arbitrator may be challenged-

(a) if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence; or

(b) if he does not possess the qualifications agreed by the parties.

9. Challenge procedure

(1) The parties may determine the procedure to be followed in challenging an arbitrator.

(2) Where no procedure is determined under subsection (1) of this section, a party who intends to challenge an arbitrator shall, within fifteen days of becoming aware of the constitution of the arbitral tribunal or becoming aware of any circumstances referred to in section 8 of this Act, send to the arbitral tribunal a written statement of the reasons for the challenge.

(3) Unless the arbitrator who has been challenged withdraws from office or the other party agrees to the challenge, the arbitral tribunal shall decide on the challenge.

10. Termination of mandate due to failure or impossibility to act

(1) The mandate of an arbitrator shall terminate if-

(a) he withdraws from office; or

(b) the parties agree to terminate his appointment by reason of his inability to perform his functions; or

(c) for any other reason he fails to act without undue delay.

(2) The fact that-

(a) an arbitrator withdraws from office under subsection (1) of this section or under section 9 (3) of this Act; or

(b) a party agrees to the termination of the mandate of an arbitrator,

shall not be construed as implying the existence of any ground or circumstances referred to in subsection (1) of this section or section 8 (1) of this Act.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

11. Appointment of substitute arbitrator

Where the mandate of an arbitrator terminates-

(a) under section 9 or 10 of this Act; or

(b) because of his withdrawal from office for any reason whatsoever; or

(c) because of the revocation of his mandate by agreement of the parties; or

(d) because of any other reason whatsoever,

a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with the same rules and procedure that applied to the appointment of the arbitrator who is being replaced.

Jurisdiction of Arbitral Tribunal

12. Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction

(1) An arbitral tribunal shall be competent to rule on questions pertaining to its own jurisdiction and on any objections with respect to the existence or validity of an arbitration agreement.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, an arbitration clause which forms part of a contract shall be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract and a decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not entail ipso jure the validity of the arbitration clause.

(3) In any arbitral proceedings, a plea that the arbitral tribunal-

(a) does not have jurisdiction may be raised not later than the time of submission of the points of defence and a party is not precluded from raising such plea by reason that he has appointed or participated in the appointment of an arbitrator;

(b) is exceeding the scope of its authority may, be raised as soon as the matter alleged to be beyond the scope of its authority is raised during the proceedings,

and the arbitral tribunal may, in either case admit a later plea if it considers that the delay was justified.

(4) The arbitral tribunal may, rule on any plea referred to it under subsection (3) of this section, either as a preliminary question or in an award on the merits; and such ruling shall be final and binding.

13. Power of arbitral tribunal to order interim measure of protection

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may before or during an arbitral proceedings –

(a) at the request of a party, order any party to take such interim measure of protection as the arbitral tribunal may consider necessary in respect of the subject matter of the dispute; and

(b) require any party to provide appropriate security in connection with any measure taken under paragraph (a) of this section.

Conduct of Arbitral Proceedings

14. Equal treatment of parties

In any arbitral proceedings, the arbitral tribunal shall ensure that the parties are accorded equal treatment and that each party is given full opportunity of presenting his case.

15. Arbitral proceedings

(1) The arbitral proceedings shall be in accordance with the procedure contained in the Arbitration Rules set out in the First Schedule to this Act.

[First Schedule.]

(2) Where the rules referred to in subsection (1) of this section, contain no provision in respect of any matter related to or connected with a particular arbitral proceedings, the arbitral tribunal may, subject to this Act, conduct the arbitral proceedings in such a manner as it considers appropriate so as to ensure a fair hearing.

(3) The power conferred on the arbitral tribunal under subsection (2) of this section shall, include the power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality and weight of any evidence placed before it.

16. Place of arbitration

(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the place of the arbitral proceedings shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the convenience of the parties.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for the inspection or documents, goods or other property.

17. Commencement of arbitral proceedings

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular dispute shall commence on the date the request to refer the dispute to arbitration is received by the other party.

18. Language to be used in arbitral proceedings

(1) The parties may by agreement determine the language or languages to be used in the arbitral proceedings, but where they do not do so, the arbitral tribunal shall determine the language or languages to be used, bearing in mind the relevant circumstances of the case.

(2) Any language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal under subsection (1) of this section, shall, unless a contrary intention is expressed by the parties or the arbitral tribunal, be the language or languages to be used in any written statements by the parties, in any hearing, award, decision or any other communication in the course of the arbitration.

(3) The arbitral tribunal may order that any documentary evidence shall be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal under subsection (1) of this section.

19. Points of claim and defence

(1) The claimant shall, within the period agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal, state the facts supporting his points of claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy sought by him, and the respondent shall state his points of defence in respect of those particulars, unless the parties have otherwise agreed on the required elements of the points of claim and of defence.

(2) The parties may submit with their statements under subsection (1) of this section, all the documents they consider to be relevant or they may add a reference to the documents, or other evidence they hope to submit at the arbitral proceedings.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party may amend or supplement his claim or defence during the course of the arbitral proceedings, if the arbitral tribunal considers it appropriate to allow such amendment or supplement, having regard to the time that has elapsed before the making of the amendment or supplement.

20. Hearing and written proceedings

(1) Subject to any contrary agreement by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall decide whether the arbitral proceedings shall be conducted-

(a) by holding oral hearings for the presentation of evidence or oral arguments; or

(b) on the basis of documents or other materials; or

(c) by both holding oral hearings and on the basis of documents or other materials as provided in paragraphs (a)

and (b) of this subsection,

and unless the parties have agreed that no hearing shall be held, the arbitral tribunal shall hold such hearings at an appropriate stage of the proceedings if requested so to do by any of the parties.

(2) The arbitral tribunal shall give to the parties sufficient advance notice of any hearing and of any meeting of the arbitral tribunal, held for the purposes of inspection of documents, goods, or other property.

(3) Every statement, document or other information supplied to the arbitral tribunal shall be communicated to the other party by the party supplying the statement, document or other information, and every such statement, document or other information supplied by the arbitral tribunal to one party shall be supplied to the other party.

(4) Any expert report or evidentiary document on which the arbitral tribunal may rely in making its decision shall be communicated to the parties.

(5) The arbitral tribunal shall, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, have power to administer oaths to or take the affirmations of the parties and witnesses appearing.

(6) Any party to an arbitral proceeding may, issue out a writ of subpoena ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum, but no person shall be compelled under any such writ to produce any document which he could not be compelled to produce on the trial of an action.

21. Default of a party

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if, without showing sufficient cause-

(a) the claimant fails to state his claim as required under section 19 (1) of this Act, the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings; or

(b) the respondent fails to state his defence as required under section 19 (1) of this Act, the arbitral tribunal shall continue the proceedings without treating such failure in itself as an admission of the claimant’s allegations; or

(c) any party fails to appear at a hearing or to produce documentary evidence, the arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings and make an award.

22. Power of arbitral tribunal to appoint expert

(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may-

(a) appoint one or more experts to report to it on a specific issue to be determined by the arbitral tribunal;

(b) require a party to give to the expert any relevant information or to produce or provide access to any documents, goods or other property for inspection.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party so requests or if the arbitral tribunal considers it necessary, any expert appointed under subsection (1) of this section shall, after delivering his written or oral report, participate in a hearing where the parties shall have the opportunity of putting questions to him and presenting expert witnesses to testify on their behalf on the points at issue.

(3) The arbitral tribunal shall not decide ex aequo et bono or as amiable compositeur, unless the parties have expressly authorised it to do so.

(4) The arbitral tribunal shall decide in accordance with the terms of the contract and shall take account or the usages or the trade applicable to the transaction.

23. Power of court to order attendance of witness

(1) The Court or a judge may order that a writ of subpoena ad testificandum or of subpoena duces tecum, shall issue to compel the attendance before any arbitral tribunal or a witness wherever he may be within Nigeria.

(2) The Court or a judge may also order that a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum shall, issue to bring up a prisoner for examination before any arbitral tribunal.

(3) The provisions of any written law relating to the service or execution outside a State of the Federation of any such subpoena or order for the production of a prisoner, issued or made in civil proceedings by the High Court shall, apply in relation to a subpoena or order issued or made under this section.

Making of Award and Termination of Proceedings

24. Decision making by arbitral tribunal

(1) In an arbitral tribunal comprising more than one arbitrator, any decision of the tribunal shall, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, be made by a majority of all its members.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

(2) In any arbitral tribunal, the presiding arbitrator may, if so authorised by the parties or all the members of the arbitral tribunal, decide questions relating to the procedure to be followed at the arbitral proceedings.

25. Settlement

(1) If, during the arbitral proceedings, the parties settle the dispute, the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the arbitral proceedings, and shall, if requested by the parties and not objected to by the arbitral tribunal, record the settlement in the form of an arbitral award on agreed terms.

(2) An award on agreed terms recorded under subsection (1) of this section shall-

(a) be in accordance with the provisions of section 26 of this Act and state that it is such an award; and

(b) have the same status and effect as any other award on the merits of the case.

26. Form and contents of award

(1) Any award made by the arbitral tribunal shall be in writing and signed by the arbitrators.

(2) Where the arbitral tribunal comprises of more than one arbitrator, the signatures of a majority of all the members of the arbitral tribunal shall suffice, if the reason for the absence of any signature is stated.

(3) The arbitral tribunal shall state on the award-

(a) the reasons upon which it is based, unless the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given or the award is an award on agreed terms under section 25 of this Act;

(b) the date it was made; and

(c) the place of the arbitration as agreed or determined under section 16 (1) of this Act, which place shall be deemed to be the place where the award was made.

(4) A copy of the award, made and signed by the arbitrators in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) of this section, shall be delivered to each party.

27. Termination of proceedings

(1) The arbitral proceedings shall terminate, when the final award is made or when an order of the arbitral tribunal is issued under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The arbitral tribunal shall, issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings when-

(a) the claimant withdraws his claim, unless the respondent objects thereto and the arbitral tribunal recognises a legitimate interest on his part in obtaining a final settlement of the dispute; or

(b) the parties agree on the termination of the arbitral proceedings; or

(c) the arbitral tribunal finds that continuation of the arbitral proceedings has for any other reason become unnecessary or impossible.

(3) Subject to the provisions of sections 28 and 29 (2) of this Act, the mandate of the arbitral tribunal shall cease on termination of the arbitral proceedings.

28. Correction and interpretation of award and additional award

(1) Unless another period has been agreed upon by the parties, a party may, within thirty days of the receipt of an award and with notice to the other party, request the arbitral tribunal-

(a) to correct in the award any errors in computation, any clerical or typographical errors or any errors of a similar nature;

(b) to give an interpretation of a specific point or part of the award.

(2) If the arbitral tribunal considers any request made under subsection (1) of this section to be justified, it shall, within thirty days of receipt of the request, make the correction or give the interpretation, and such correction or interpretation shall form part of the award.

(3) The arbitral tribunal may, on its own volition and within thirty days from the date of the award, correct any error of the type referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section.

(4) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party may within thirty days of receipt of the award, request the arbitral tribunal to make an additional award as to the claims presented in the arbitral proceedings but omitted from the award.

(5) If the arbitral tribunal considers any request made under subsection (4) of this section to be justified, it shall, within sixty days of the receipt of the request, make the additional award.

(6) The arbitral tribunal may, if it considers it necessary, extend the time limit within which it shall make a correction, give an interpretation or make an additional award under subsection (2) or (5) of this section.

(7) The provisions of section 26 of this Act, which relate to the form and contents of an award, shall apply to any correction or interpretation or to an additional award made under this section.

Recourse against Award

29. Application for setting aside an arbitral award

(1) A party who is aggrieved by an arbitral award may within three months-

(a) from the date of the award; or

(b) in a case falling within section 28 of this Act, from the date the request for additional award is disposed of by the arbitral tribunal,

by way of an application for setting aside, request the Court to set aside the award in accordance with subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The Court may set aside an arbitral award, if the party making the application furnishes proof that the award contains decisions on matters which are beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration, so however that, if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those not submitted, only that part of the award which contains decisions on matters not submitted may be set aside.

(3) The Court before which an application is brought under subsection (1) of this section may, at the request of a party where appropriate, suspend proceedings for such period as it may determine, to afford the arbitral tribunal an opportunity to resume the arbitral proceedings or take such other action to eliminate the grounds for setting aside of
the award.

30. Setting aside of award in case of misconduct by arbitrator, etc.

(1) Where an arbitrator has misconducted himself, or where the arbitral proceedings, or award, has been improperly procured, the Court may on the application of a party set aside the award.

(2) An arbitrator who has misconducted himself may, on the application of any party
be removed by the Court.

Recognition and Enforcement of A wards

31. Recognition and enforcement of awards

(1) An arbitral award shall be recognised as binding, and subject to this section and section 32 of this Act, shall, upon application in writing to the Court, be enforced by the Court.

(2) The party relying on an award or applying for its enforcement shall supply –
(a) the duly authenticated original award or a duly certified copy thereof; and
(b) the original arbitration agreement or a duly certified copy thereof.

(3) An award may, by leave of the Court or a judge, be enforced in the same manner as a judgment or order to the same effect.

32. Refusal of recognition or enforcement of award

Any of the parties to an arbitration agreement may, request the Court to refuse recognition or enforcement of the award.

General

33. Waiver of right to object

A party who knows-

(a) that any provision of this Act from which the parties may not derogate; or

(b) that any requirement under the arbitration agreement,

has not been complied with and yet proceeds with the arbitration without stating his objection to such non-compliance within the time limit provided therefore shall, be deemed to have waived his right to object to the non-compliance.

34. Extent of court intervention

A court shall not intervene in any matter governed by this Act, except, where so provided in this Act.

35. Extent of application of this Act to arbitration

This Act shall not affect any other law by virtue of which certain disputes-

(a) may not be submitted to arbitration; or

(b) may be submitted to arbitration only in accordance with the provisions of that or another law.

36. Extension of time

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the arbitral tribunal may, if it considers it necessary, extend the time specified for the performance of any act under this Act.

PART II

Conciliation

37. Right to settle dispute by conciliation

Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Act, the parties to any agreement may, seek amicable settlement of any dispute in relation to the agreement by, conciliation under the provisions of this Part of this Act.

38. Request to conciliate

(1) A party who wishes to initiate conciliation shall, send to the other party a written request to conciliation under the provisions of this Part of this Act.

(2) Any request sent under subsection (1) of this section shall, contain a brief statement setting out the subject of the dispute.

39. Commencement of conciliation proceedings

The conciliation proceedings shall, commence on the date the request to conciliate is accepted by the other party.

40. Appointment of conciliators

Where the request to conciliate under section 38 of this Act has been accepted, the parties shall refer the dispute to a conciliation body, consisting of one or three conciliators to be appointed-

(a) in the case of one conciliator, jointly by the parties;

(b) in the case of three conciliators-

(i) one conciliator by each party; and

(ii) the third conciliator jointly by the parties.

41. Action by the conciliation body

(1) The conciliation body shall, acquaint itself with the details of the case and procure such other information it may require for the purpose of settling the dispute.

(2) The parties may, appear in person before the conciliation body and may have legal representation.

42. Terms of settlement

(1) After the conciliation body has examined the case and heard the parties, if necessary, it shall submit its terms of settlement to the parties.

(2) If the parties agree to the terms of settlement submitted under subsection (1) of this section, the conciliation body shall draw up and sign a record of settlement.

(3) If the parties do not agree to the terms of settlement submitted under subsection (1) of this section, they may-

(a) submit the dispute to arbitration in accordance with any agreement between them; or

(b) take any action in court as they may deem fit.

(4) Nothing done in connection with the conciliation proceedings shall, affect the legal rights of the parties in any submission to arbitration or any action taken under sub-section (3) of this section.

PART III

Additional Provisions relating to International Commercial Arbitration and Conciliation

43. Application of this Part of this Act

The provision of this Part of this Act shall, apply solely to cases relating to international commercial arbitration and conciliation, in addition to the other provisions of this Act.

44. Appointment of sole arbitrator, etc.

(1) If a sole arbitrator is to be appointed, either party may propose to the other the names of one or more persons, one of whom would serve as the sole arbitrator.

(2) If within thirty days after receipt by a party of a proposal made in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, the parties have not reached agreement on the choice of a sole arbitrator, the sole arbitrator shall be appointed by the appointing authority.

(3) The appointing authority shall, at the request of one of the parties, appoint the sole arbitrator as promptly as possible; and in making the appointment, the appointing authority shall use the following list-procedure, unless both parties agree that the list-procedure should not be used or unless the appointing authority determines in its discretion that the use of the list-procedure is not appropriate for the case, that is-

(a) at the request of one of the parties, the appointing authority shall communicate to both parties an identical list containing at least three names;

(b) within fifteen days after the receipt of the said list, each party may return the list to the appointing authority, after having deleted the name or names to which he objects and numbered the remaining names on the list in the order of his preference;

(c) after the expiration of the above period of time, the appointing authority shall appoint the sole arbitrator from among the names approved on the lists returned to it and in accordance with the order of preference indicated by the parties.

(4) In making the appointment, the appointing authority shall have regard to such considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator and shall take into account as well, the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality other than the nationalities of the parties.

(5) If three arbitrators are to be appointed, each party shall appoint one arbitrator; and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall choose the third arbitrator who shall act as the presiding arbitrator of the arbitral tribunal.

(6) If within thirty days after the receipt of a party’s notification of the appointment of an arbitrator, the other party has not notified the first party of the arbitrator he has appointed, the first party may request the appointing authority previously designated by the parties to appoint the second arbitrator.

(7) If within thirty days after the appointment of the second arbitrator, the two arbitrators have not agreed on the choice of the presiding arbitrator, the presiding arbitrator shall be appointed by the appointing authority, in the same way as a sole arbitrator would be appointed under subsections (1) to (4) of this section.

(8) When the appointing authority is requested to appoint an arbitrator pursuant to the provisions of this section, the party which makes the request shall, send to the appointing authority a copy of the notice of arbitration, a copy of the contract out of or in relation to which the dispute has arisen and a copy of the arbitration agreement if it is not contained in the contract, and the appointing authority may require from either party such information as it deems necessary to fulfil its functions under this Act.

(9) Where the names of one or more persons are proposed for appointment as arbitrators, their full names, addresses and nationalities shall be indicated, together with a description of their qualifications.

(10) Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, no person shall be disqualified from being appointed as an arbitrator by reason of his nationality.

45. Challenge of arbitrators

(1) A prospective arbitrator shall disclose to those who approach him in connection with his possible appointment, any circumstance likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence.

(2) An arbitrator, once appointed or chosen, shall disclose such circumstances as referred to in subsection (1) of this section to the parties, unless they have already been informed by him of those circumstances.

(3) Any arbitrator may be challenged, if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to the arbitrator’s impartiality or independence.

(4) A party may challenge the arbitrator appointed by him, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment has been made.

(5) A party who intends to challenge an arbitrator shall, send notice of his challenge within fifteen days after the appointment of the challenged arbitrator has been notified to the challenging party or within fifteen days after the circumstances mentioned in subsections (1) to (4) of this section became known to that party.

(6) The challenge shall be notified to the other party, to the arbitrator who is challenged and to the other members of the arbitral tribunal and the notification shall be in writing and shall state the reason for the challenge.

(7) When an arbitrator has been challenged by one party, the other party may agree to the challenge and the challenged arbitrator may also, after the challenge, withdraw from his office; but the fact that the other party agrees to the challenge or that the arbitrator withdraws does not imply acceptance of the validity of the grounds for the challenge.

(8) Where the other party agrees to the challenge or the challenged arbitrator withdraws, the procedure provided in section 44 of this Act shall, be used in full for the appointment of the substitute arbitrator, even if during the process of appointing the challenged arbitrator, a party had failed to exercise his right to appoint or to participate in the appointment.

(9) If the other party does not agree to the challenge and the challenged arbitrator does not withdraw, the decision on the challenge shall be made-

(a) when the initial appointment was made by an appointing authority, by that authority;

(b) when the initial appointment was not made by an appointing authority, but an appointing authority has been previously designated, by that authority;

(c) in all other cases, by the appointing authority to be designated in accordance with the procedure for designating an appointing authority as provided for in section 44 of this Act.

(10) If the appointing authority sustains the challenge, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed or chosen pursuant to the procedure applicable to the appointment or choice of an arbitrator as provided in section 44 of this Act and in this section, except that, when this procedure would call for the designation of an appointing authority, the appointment of the arbitrator shall be made by the appointing authority which decided on the challenge.

46. Replacement of arbitrators

(1) Where an arbitrator dies or resigns during the course of the arbitral proceedings, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed or chosen pursuant to the procedure provided for in sections 44 and 45 of this Act that was applicable to the appointment or choice of the arbitrator being replaced.

(2) Where an arbitrator fails to act or in the event of the de jure or de facto impossibility of his performing his functions, the procedure in respect of the challenge and replacement of an arbitrator as provided in sections 44 and 45 of this Act shall apply.

Making of Awards and Termination of Proceedings

47. Rules applicable to substance of dispute

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance with the rules in force in the country whose laws the parties have chosen as applicable to the substance of the dispute.

(2) Any designation of the law or legal system of a country shall, unless otherwise expressed, be construed as directly referring to the substantive law of that country and not to its conflict of laws rules.

(3) Where the law of the country to be applied is not determined by the parties, the arbitral tribunals shall apply the law determined by the conflict of laws rules which it considers applicable.

(4) The arbitral tribunal shall not decide ex aequo et bono or as amiable compositeur, unless the parties have expressly authorised it to do so.

(5) In all cases, the arbitral tribunal shall decide in accordance with the terms of the contract and shall take account of the usages of the trade applicable to the transaction.

(6) If the arbitration law of the country where the award is made requires that the award be filed or registered by the arbitral tribunal, the arbitral tribunal shall comply with this requirement within the period of time required by law.

48. Setting aside of arbitral award

The Court may set aside an arbitral award-

(a) if the party making the application furnishes proof-

(i) that a party to the arbitration agreement was under some incapacity;

(ii) that the arbitration agreement is not valid under the law which the parties have indicated should be applied, or failing such indication, that the arbitration agreement is not valid under the laws of Nigeria;

(iii) that he was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise not able to present his case;

(iv) that the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration; or

(v) that the award contains decisions on matters which are beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration, so however that if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those not submitted, only that part of the award which contains decisions on matters not submitted to arbitration may be set aside; or

(vi) that the composition of the arbitral tribunal, or the arbitral procedure, was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, unless such agreement was in conflict with a provision of this Act from which the parties cannot derogate; or

(vii) where there is no agreement between the parties under subparagraph (vi) of this paragraph, that the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with this Act; or

(b) if the Court finds-

(i) that the subject matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the laws of Nigeria; or

(ii) that the award is against public policy of Nigeria.

49. Costs

(l) The arbitral tribunal shall fix costs of arbitration in its award and the term “costs” includes only-

(a) the fees of the arbitral tribunal to be stated separately as to each arbitrator and to be fixed by the tribunal itself;

(b) the travel and other expenses incurred by the arbitrators;

(c) the cost of expert advice and of other assistance required by the arbitral tribunal;

(d) the travel and other expenses of witnesses to the extent that such expenses are approved by the arbitral tribunal;

(e) the costs for legal representation and assistance of the successful party if such costs were claimed during the arbitral proceedings, and only to the extent that the arbitral tribunal determines that the amount of such costs is reasonable.

(2) The fees of the arbitral tribunal shall be reasonable in amount, taking into account the amount in dispute, the complexity of the subject-matter, the time spent by the arbitrators and any other relevant circumstances of the case.

(3) If an appointing authority has been agreed upon by the parties or designated by the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, and if that authority has issued a schedule of fees for arbitrators in international cases which it administers, the arbitral tribunal in fixing its fees shall take that schedule of fees into ac-
count to the extent that, it considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(4) If such appointing authority has not issued a schedule of fees for arbitrators in international cases, any party may, at any time request the appointing authority to furnish a statement setting forth the basis for establishing fees, which is customarily followed in international cases in which the authority appoints arbitrators; and if the appointing authority consents to provide such a statement, the arbitral tribunal in fixing its fees shall,
take such information into account, to the extent that it considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(5) In cases referred to in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, when a party so requests that the appointing authority consents to perform the function, the arbitral tribunal shall fix its fees only after consultation with the appointing authority, which may make any comment it deems appropriate to the arbitral tribunal concerning the fees.

50. Deposit of costs

(1) The arbitral tribunal, on its establishment, may request each party to deposit an equal amount as an advance for the costs referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of section 49 (1) of this Act.

(2) During the course of the arbitral proceedings, the arbitral tribunal may request supplementary deposits from the parties.

(3) If an appointing authority has been agreed upon by the parties or designated by the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, and when a party so requests and the appointing authority consents to perform the function, the arbitral tribunal shall, fix the amount of any deposits or supplementary deposits only after
consultation with the appointing authority which may make any comments to the arbitral tribunal which it deems appropriate concerning the amount of such deposits and supplementary deposits.

(4) If the required deposits are not paid in full within thirty days after the receipt of the requests, the arbitral tribunal shall so inform the parties in order that one or other of them may make the required payment; and if such payment is not made, the arbitral tribunal may order the suspension or termination of the arbitral proceedings.

(5) After the award has been made, the arbitral tribunal shall render an account to the parties of the deposits received and return any unexpended balance to the parties.

Recognition and Enforcement of Awards

51. Recognition and enforcement of awards

(1) An arbitral award shall, irrespective of the country in which it is made, be recognised as binding and subject to this section and section 32 of this Act, shall, upon application in writing to the Court, be enforced by the Court.

(2) The party relying on an award or applying for its enforcement shall supply-

(a) the duly authenticated original award or a duly certified copy thereof;

(b) the original arbitration agreement or a duly certified copy thereof; and

(c) where the award or arbitration agreement is not made in the English language, a duly certified translation thereof into the English language.

52. Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement

(1) Any of the parties to an arbitration agreement may, request the Court to refuse recognition or enforcement of the award.

(2) The Court where recognition or enforcement of an award is sought or where application for refusal of recognition or enforcement thereof is brought may, irrespective of the country in which the award is made, refuse to recognise or enforce an award-

(a) if the party against whom it is invoked furnishes the Court proof –

(i) that a party to the arbitration agreement was under some incapacity; or

(ii) that the arbitration agreement is not valid under the law which the parties have indicated should be

applied, or failing such indication, that the arbitration agreement is not valid under the law of the

country where the award was made; or

(iii) that he was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise not able to present his case; or

(iv) that the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration; or

(v) that the award contains decisions on matters which are beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration, so however that, if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those not submitted, only that part of the award which contains decisions on matters submitted to arbitration may be recognised and enforced; or

(vi) that the composition of the arbitral tribunal, or the arbitral procedure, was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties; or

(vii) where there is no agreement between the parties under sub-paragraph (vi) of this paragraph, that the composition of the arbitral tribunal, or the arbitral procedure, was not in accordance with the law of the country where the arbitration took place; or

(viii) that the award has not yet become binding on the parties or has been set aside or suspended by a court of the country in which, or under the law of which, the award was made; or

(b) if the Court finds –

(i) that the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the laws of Nigeria; or

(ii) that the recognition or enforcement of the award is against public policy of Nigeria.

(3) Where an application for the recognition or enforcement of an award has been made to a court referred to in subsection (2) (a) (viii) of this section, the Court before which the recognition or enforcement is sought may, if it considers it proper, postpone its decision and may on the application of the party claiming recognition or enforcement of the award, order the other party to provide appropriate security.

Application of Arbitration Rules set out in the First Schedule

53. Application of Arbitration Rules set out in the First Schedule

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the parties to an international commercial agreement may, agree in writing that disputes in relation to the agreement shall, be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Rules set out in the First Schedule to this Act, or the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules or any other international arbitration rules acceptable to the parties.

[First Schedule.]

Application of Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards

54. Application of the Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, etc.

(1) Without prejudice to sections 51 and 52 of this Act, where the recognition and enforcement of any award arising out of an international commercial arbitration are sought, the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Awards (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”) set out in the Second Schedule to this Act shall apply to any award made in Nigeria or in any contracting State-

[Second Schedule.]

(a) provided that, such contracting State has reciprocal legislation recognising the enforcement of arbitral awards made in Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the Convention;

(b) that the Convention shall apply only to differences arising out of a legal relationship which is contractual.

(2) In this Part of this Act, “the appointing authority” means the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

Conciliation

55. Conciliation Rules

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the parties to an international commercial agreement may agree in writing that disputes in relation to the agreement shall be settled by conciliation under the Conciliation Rules set out in the Third Schedule to this Act.

[Third Schedule.]

PART IV

Miscellaneous

56. Receipt of written communication

(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, any communication sent under or pursuant to this Act shall be deemed to have been received-

(a) when it is delivered to the addressee personally or when it is delivered to his place of business, habitual residence or mailing address; or

(b) where a communication cannot be delivered under paragraph (a) of this sub-section, when it is sent to the addressee’s last known place of business, habitual residence or mailing address by registered letter or any other means which provides a record of the attempt to deliver it.

(2) A communication shall be deemed to have been received on the day it is delivered under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to communications in court proceedings.

57. Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-

“arbitral tribunal” means a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators;

“arbitration” means a commercial arbitration whether or not administered by a permanent arbitral institution;

“commercial” means all relationships of a commercial nature, including any trade transaction for the supply or exchange of goods or services, distribution agreement, commercial representation or agency, factoring, leasing, construction works, consulting, engineering, licensing, investment, financing, banking, insurance, exploitation agreement or concession, joint venture and other forms of industrial or business co-operation, carriage of goods or passengers by air, sea, rail or road;

“court” means the High Court of a State, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja or the Federal High Court;

“judge” means a judge of the High Court of a State, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja or the Federal High Court;

“party” means a party to the arbitration agreement or to conciliation or any person claiming through or under him and “parties” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) An arbitration is international if-

(a) the parties to an arbitration agreement have, at the time of the conclusion of the agreement, their places of business in different countries; or

(b) one of the following places is situated outside the country in which the parties have their places of business-

(i) the place of arbitration if such place is determined in, or pursuant to the arbitration agreement;

(ii) any place where a substantial part of the obligation of the commercial relationship is to be performed or the place with which the subject-matter of the dispute is most closely connected; or

(c) the parties have expressly agreed that the subject-matter of the arbitration agreement relates to more than one country; or

(d) the parties, despite the nature of the contract, expressly agree that any dispute arising from the commercial transaction shall be treated as an international arbitration.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) of this section-

(a) if a party has more than one place of business, the place of business shall be that which has the closest relationship to the arbitration agreement;

(b) if a party does not have a place of business, reference shall be made to his habitual residence.

(4) Where a provision of this Act, other than section 47 of this Act, leaves the parties free to determine a certain issue, such freedom includes the right of the parties to authorise a third party, including an institution, to make that determination.

(5) Where a provision of this Act-

(a) refers to the fact that parties have agreed or that they may agree; or

(b) in any other way refers to an agreement of the parties,

such agreement includes any arbitration rules referred to in the agreement.

(6) Where a provision of this Act, other than section 21 (a) or 27 (2) (a) refers to a claim, such claim includes a counterclaim, and where it refers to a defence, such defence includes a defence to such counterclaim.

58. Short title and application

This Act may be cited as the Arbitration and Conciliation Act and shall apply throughout the Federation.

SCHEDULES

FIRST SCHEDULE
[Section 53.]

Arbitration Rules

SECTION I

Introductory Rules

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

Article I

These Rules shall govern any arbitration proceedings, except that where any of these Rules is in conflict with a provision of this Act, the provisions of this Act shall prevail.

NOTICE, CALCULATION OF PERIODS OFTIME

Article 2

1. For the purposes of these Rules, any notice, including a notification, communication or proposal, is deemed to have been received if it is physically delivered to the addressee or if it is delivered at his habitual residence, place of business or mailing address, or, if none of these can be found after making reasonable inquiry, then at the addressee’s last known residence or place of business. Notice shall be deemed to have been received on the day it is so delivered.

2. For the purposes of calculating a period of time under these Rules, such period shall begin to run on the day following the day when a notice, notification, communication or proposal is received. If the last day of such period is an official holiday or non-business day at the residence or place of business of the addressee, the period is extended until the first business day which follows. Official holidays or non-business days occurring during the running of the period of time are included in calculating the period.

NOTICE OF ARBITRATION

Article 3

1. The party initiating recourse to arbitration (hereinafter called the “claimant”) shall give to the other party (hereinafter called the “respondent”) a notice of arbitration.

2. Arbitral proceedings shall be deemed to commence on the date on which the notice of arbitration is received by the respondent.

3. The notice of arbitration shall include the following-

(a) a demand that the dispute be referred to arbitration;
(b) the names and addresses of the parties;

(c) a reference to the arbitration clause or the separate arbitration agreement that is invoked;

(d) a reference to the contract out of or in relation to which the dispute arises;

(e) the general nature of the claim and an indication of the amount involved, if any;

(f) the relief or remedy sought;

(g) a proposal as to the number of arbitrators (i.e. one or three), if the parties have not previously agreed thereon.

4. The notice of arbitration may also include-

(a) the proposals for the appointment of a sole arbitrator;

(b) the notification of the appointment of an arbitrator referred to in Article 7;
(c) the statement of claim referred to in Article 18.

REPRESENTATION AND ASSISTANCE

Article 4

The parties may be represented or assisted by legal practitioners of their choice. The names and addresses of such legal practitioners must be communicated in writing to the other party; such communication must specify whether the appointment is being made for purposes of representation or assistance.

SECTION II

Composition of the Arbitral Tribunal

NUMBER OF ARBITRATORS

Article 5

If the parties have not previously agreed on the number of arbitrators (i.e. one or three), and if within fifteen days after the receipt by the respondent of the notice of arbitration the parties have not agreed that there shall be only one arbitrator, three arbitrators shall be appointed.

APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATORS (ARTICLES 6 TO 8)

Article 6

1. If a sole arbitrator is to be appointed, either party may propose to the other the names of one or more persons, one of whom would serve as the sole arbitrator.

2. If within thirty days after receipt by a party of a proposal made in accordance with paragraph 1, the parties have not reached agreement on the choice of a sole arbitrator, the sole arbitrator shall be appointed by the Court.

3. The Court shall, at the request of one of the parties appoint the sole arbitrator as promptly as possible; and in making the appointment, the Court shall use the following list-procedure, unless both parties agree that the list-procedure should not be used or unless the Court determines in its discretion that the use of the list-procedure is not appropriate for the case-

(a) at the request of one of the parties, the Court shall communicate to both parties an identical list containing at least three names;

(b) within fifteen days after the receipt of this list, each party may return the list to the Court after having deleted the name or names to which he objects and numbered the remaining names on the list in the order of his preference;

(c) after the expiration of the above period of time, the Court shall appoint the sole arbitrator from among the names approved on the lists returned to it and in accordance with the order of preference indicated by the parties;

(d) if for any reason, the appointment cannot be made according to this procedure, the Court may exercise

its discretion in appointing the sole arbitrator.

4. In making the appointment, the Court shall have regard to such considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator and shall take into account as well, the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality other than the nationalities of the parties.

Article 7

1. If three arbitrators are to be appointed, each party shall appoint one arbitrator; and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall, choose the third arbitrator who will act as the presiding arbitrator of the tribunal.

2. If within thirty days after the receipt of a party’s notification of the appointment of an arbitrator, the other party has not notified the first party of the arbitrator he has appointed, the first party may request the Court to appoint the second arbitrator.

3. If within thirty days after the appointment of the second arbitrator, the two arbitrators have not agreed on the choice of the presiding arbitrator, the presiding arbitrator shall be appointed by the Court in the same way as a sole arbitrator would be appointed under Article 6.

Article 8

1. When a court is requested to appoint an arbitrator pursuant to Article 6 or Article 7, the party which makes the request shall, send to the Court an affidavit together with a copy of the notice of arbitration, a copy of the contract out of or in relation to which the dispute has arisen and a copy of the arbitration agreement if it is not contained in the contract. The Court may, require from either party such information as it deems necessary to fulfil its functions.

2. Where the names of one or more persons are proposed for appointment as arbitrators, their full names and addresses shall be indicated, together with a description of their qualifications.

CHALLENGE OF ARBITRATORS (ARTICLES 9 TO 12)

Article 9

A prospective arbitrator shall, disclose to those who approach him in connection with his possible appointment, any circumstances likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence. An arbitrator, once appointed or chosen, shall disclose such circumstance to the parties, unless they have already been informed by him of these circumstances.

Article 10

1. Any arbitrator may be challenged, if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to the arbitrator’s impartiality or independence.

2. A party may challenge the arbitrator appointed by him, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment has been made.

Article 11

1. A party who intends to challenge an arbitrator shall send notice of his challenge within fifteen days after the appointment of the challenged arbitrator has been notified to the challenging party or within fifteen days after the circumstances mentioned in Articles 9 and 10 became known to that party.

2. The challenge shall be notified to the other party, to the arbitrator who is challenged and to the other members of the arbitral tribunal. The notification shall be in writing and shall state the reason for the challenge.

3. When an arbitrator has been challenged by one party, the other party may agree to the challenge. The arbitrator may also, after the challenge, withdraw from his office. In neither case does this imply acceptance of the validity of the grounds for the challenge. In both cases, the procedure provided in Article 6 or 7 shall be used in full for the appointment of the substitute arbitrator, even if during the process of appointing the challenged arbitrator, a party had failed to exercise his right to appoint or to participate in the appointment.

Article 12

1. If the other party does not agree to the challenge and the challenged arbitrator does not withdraw, the decision on the challenge will be made-

(a) when the initial appointment was made by the court, by that court;

(b) when the initial appointment was not made by court, but an appointing authority has been previously designated, by that authority;

(c) in all other cases, by the Court as provided for in Article 6.

2. If the Court sustains the challenge, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed or chosen pursuant to the procedure applicable to the appointment or choice of an arbitrator as provided in Articles 6 to 8, except that, when this procedure would call for appointment by the Court, the appointment of the arbitrator shall be made by the Court which decided on the challenge.

REPLACEMENT OF AN ARBITRATOR

Article 13

1. In the event of the death or resignation of an arbitrator during the course of the arbitral proceedings, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed or chosen pursuant to the procedure provided for in Articles 6 to 8 that was applicable to the appointment or choice of the arbitrator being replaced.

2. In the event that an arbitrator fails to act or in the event of de jure or de facto impossibility of his performing his functions, the procedure in respect of the challenge and replacement of an arbitrator as provided in the proceeding articles shall apply.

REPETITION OF HEARINGS IN THE EVENT OF THE REPLACEMENT OF AN ARBITRATOR

Article 14

If under Articles 11 to 13 the sole or presiding arbitrator is replaced, any hearings held previously shall be repeated; if any other arbitrator is replaced, such prior hearings may be repeated at the discretion of the arbitral tribunal.

SECTION III

Arbitral Proceedings

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 15

1. Subject to these Rules, the arbitral tribunal may conduct the arbitration in such manner as it considers appropriate, provided that, the parties are treated with equality and that at any stage of the proceedings each party is given a full opportunity of presenting his case.

2. If either party so requests at any stage of the proceedings, the arbitral tribunal shall hold hearings for the presentation of evidence by witnesses, including expert witnesses, or for oral argument. In the absence of such a request, the arbitral tribunal shall decide whether to hold such hearings or whether the proceedings shall be conducted on the basis of documents and other materials.

3. All documents or information supplied to the arbitral tribunal by one party shall at the same time be communicated by that party to the other party.

PLACE OF ARBITRATION

Article 16

1. Unless the parties have agreed upon the place where the arbitration is to be held, such place shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal, having regard to the circumstances of the arbitration.

2. The arbitral tribunal may, determine the location of the arbitration within the place agreed upon by the parties. It may hear witnesses and hold meetings for consultation among its members at any place it deems appropriate, having regard to the circumstances of the arbitration.

3. The arbitral tribunal may meet at any place it deems appropriate for the inspection of goods, other property or documents. The parties shall be given sufficient notice to enable them to be present at such inspection.

LANGUAGE

Article 17

1. Subject to an agreement by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall, promptly after its appointment, determine the language or languages to be used in the proceedings. This determination shall apply to the statement of claim, the statement of defence, and any further written statements and, if oral hearings take place, to the language or languages to be used at such hearings.

2. The arbitral tribunal may, order that any documents annexed to the statement of claim or statement of defence, and any supplementary documents or exhibits submitted in the course of the proceedings, delivered in their original language, shall be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal.

STATEMENT O FCLAIM

Article 18

1. Unless the statement of claim was contained in the notice of arbitration, within a period of time to be determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall communicate his statement or claim in writing to the respondent and to each of the arbitrators. A copy of the contract and of the arbitration agreement if not contained in the contract, shall be annexed thereto.

2. The statement of claim shall include the following particulars-

(a) the names and addresses of the parties;

(b) a statement of the facts supporting the claim;
(c) the point at issue;

(d) the relief or remedy sought.

3. The claimant may annex to his statement of claim, all documents he deems relevant or may add a reference to the documents or other evidence he will submit.

STATEMENT OF DEFENCE

Article 19

1. Within a period of time to be determined by the arbitral tribunal, the respondent shall communicate his statement of defence in writing to the claimant and to each of the arbitrators.

2. The statement of defence shall reply to the particulars (b), (c) and (d) of the statement of claim (Article 18, paragraph 2). The respondent may, annex to his statement, the documents on which he relies for his defence or may add a reference to the documents or other evidence he will submit.

3. In his statement of defence, or at a later stage in the arbitral proceedings, if the arbitral tribunal decides that the delay was justified under the circumstances, the respondent may, make a counterclaim arising out of the same contract or rely on a claim arising out of the same contract for the purpose of a set-off.

4. The provisions of Article 18, paragraph 2, shall apply to a counterclaim, and a claim relied on for the purpose of set-off.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIM OR DEFENCE

Article 20

During the course of the arbitral proceedings, either party may amend or supplement his claim or defence, unless the arbitral tribunal considers it inappropriate to allow such amendment, having regard to the delay in making it or prejudice to the other party or any other circumstances. However, a claim may not be amended in such a manner that the amended claim falls outside the scope of the arbitration clause or separate arbitration agreement.

PLEAS AS TO THE JURISDICTION OFTHE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL

Article 21

1. The arbitral tribunal shall, have the power to rule on objections that it has no jurisdiction, including any objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration clause or of the separate arbitration agreement.

2. The arbitral tribunal shall, have the power to determine the existence or the validity of the contract of which an arbitration clause forms a part. For the purposes of this article, an arbitration clause which forms part of a contract and which provides for arbitration under these Rules shall be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract. A decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not entail ipso jure the in-
validity of the arbitration clause.

3. A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall be raised not later than in the statement of defence or, with respect to a counterclaim, in the reply to the counterclaim.

4. In general, the arbitration tribunal should rule on a plea concerning its jurisdiction as a preliminary question. However, the arbitral tribunal may proceed with the arbitration and rule on such a plea in their final award.

FURTHER WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Article 22

The arbitral tribunal shall decide which further written statements, in addition to the statement of claim and the statement of defence, shall be required from the parties or may be presented by them and shall fix the periods of time for communicating such statements.

PERIODS OFTIME

Article 23

The periods of time fixed by the arbitral tribunal for the communication of written statements (including the statement of claim and statement of defence) should not exceed forty-five days. However, the arbitral tribunal may extend the time limits if it concludes that an extension is justified.

EVIDENCE AND HEARINGS (ARTICLES 24 AND 25)

Article 24

1. Each party shall have the burden of proving the facts relied on to support his claim or defence.

2. The arbitral tribunal may, if it considers it appropriate, require a party to deliver to the tribunal and to the other party, within such a period of time as the arbitral tribunal shall decide, a summary of the documents and other evidence which that party intends to present in support of the facts in issue set out in his statement of claim or statement of defence.

3. At any time during the arbitral proceedings, the arbitral tribunal may require the parties to produce documents, exhibits or other evidence within such a period of time as the arbitral tribunal shall determine.

Article 25

1. In the event of an oral hearing, the arbitral tribunal shall give the parties adequate advance notice of the date, time and place thereof.

2. If witnesses are to be heard, at least fifteen days before the hearing each party shall communicate to the arbitral tribunal and to the other party the names and addresses of the witnesses he intends to present, the subject upon and the languages in which such witnesses will give their testimony.

3. The arbitral tribunal shall make arrangements for the translation of oral statements made at a hearing and for a record of the hearing, if either is deemed necessary by the tribunal under the circumstances of the case, or if the parties have agreed thereto and have communicated such agreement to the tribunal at least fifteen days before the hearing.

4. Hearings shall be held in camera unless the parties agree otherwise. The arbitral tribunal may, require the retirement of any witness or witnesses during the testimony of other witnesses. The arbitral tribunal is free to determine the manner in which witnesses are examined.

5. Evidence of witnesses may also be presented in the form of written statements signed by them.

6. The arbitral tribunal shall determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality and weight of the evidence offered.

INTERIM MEASURES OF PROTECTION

Article 26

1. At the request of either party, the arbitral tribunal may take any interim measures it deems necessary in respect of the subject-matter of the dispute, including measures for the conservation of the goods forming the subject-matter in dispute, such as ordering their deposit with a third person or the sale of perishable goods.

2. Such interim measures may be established in the form of an interim award. The arbitral tribunal shall be entitled to require security for the costs of such measures.

3. A request for interim measures addressed by any party to court shall not be deemed incompatible with the agreement to arbitrate, or as a waiver of that agreement.

EXPERTS

Article 27

1. The arbitral tribunal may appoint one or more experts to report to it in writing, on specific issues to be determined by the tribunal. A copy of the expert’s terms of reference, established by the arbitral tribunal, shall be communicated to the parties.

2. The parties shall give the expert any relevant information or produce for his inspection any relevant documents or goods that he may require of them. Any dispute between a party and such expert as to the relevance of the required information or production shall be referred to the arbitral tribunal for decisions.

3. Upon receipt of the expert’s report, the arbitral tribunal shall communicate a copy of the report to the parties who shall be given the opportunity to express, in writing, their opinion on the report. A party shall be entitled to examine any document on which the expert has relied in this report.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

4. At the request of either party the expert, after delivery of the report, may be heard at a hearing where the parties shall have the opportunity to be present and to interrogate the expert. At this hearing, either party may present expert witnesses in order to testify on the points at issue. The provisions of Article 25 shall be applicable to such proceedings.

DEFAULT

Article 28

1. If, within the period of time fixed by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant has failed to communicate his claim without showing sufficient cause for such failure, the arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings. If, within the period of time fixed by the arbitral tribunal, the respondent has failed to communicate his statement of defence without showing sufficient cause for such failure, the arbitral tribunal shall order that the proceedings continue.

2. If one of the parties, duly notified under these Rules, fails to appear at a hearing, without showing sufficient cause for such failure, the arbitral tribunal may proceed with the arbitration.

3. If one of the parties, duly invited to produce documentary evidence, fails to do so within the established period of time, without showing sufficient cause for such failure, the arbitral tribunal may make the award on the evidence before it.

CLOSURE OF HEARINGS

Article 29

1. The arbitral tribunal may inquire of the parties if they have any further proof to offer or witnesses to be heard or submissions to make and, if there are none, it may declare the hearings closed.

2. The arbitral tribunal may, if it considers it necessary owing to exceptional circumstances, decide, on its own motion or upon application of a party, to re-open the hearings at any time before the award is made.

WAIVER OF RULES

Article 30

A party who knows that any provision of, or requirement under, these Rules has not been complied with and yet proceeds with the arbitration without promptly stating his objection to such non-compliance, shall be deemed to have waived his right to object.

SECTION IV

THE AWARD/DECISIONS

Article 31

1. When there are three arbitrators, any award or other decision of the arbitral tribunal shall be made by a majority of the arbitral tribunal.

2. In the case of questions of procedure, when there is no majority or when the arbitral tribunal so authorises, the presiding arbitrator may decide on his own, subject to revision, if any, by the arbitral tribunal.

FORM AND EFFECT OF THE AWARD

Article 32

1. In addition to making a final award, the arbitral tribunal shall be entitled to make interim, interlocutory, or partial awards.

2. The award shall be made in writing and shall be final and binding on the parties. The parties undertake to carry out the award without delay.

3. The arbitral tribunal shall state the reasons upon which the award is based, unless the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given.

4. An award shall be signed by the arbitrator and it shall contain the date on which and the place where the award was made. Where there are three arbitrators and one of them fails to sign, the award shall state the reason for the absence of the signature.

5. The award may be made public only with the consent of both parties.

6. Copies of the award signed by the arbitrators shall be communicated to the parties by the arbitral tribunal.

APPLICABLE LAW, AMIABLE COMPOSITEUR

Article 33

1. The arbitral tribunal shall apply the law designated by the parties as applicable to the substance of the dispute.

2. The arbitral tribunal shall decide as amiable compositeur or ex aequo et bono only if the parties have expressly authorised the arbitral tribunal to do so and if the law applicable to the arbitral procedure permits such arbitration.

3. In all cases, the arbitral tribunal shall decide in accordance with the terms of the contract and shall take into account the usage of the trade applicable to the transaction.

CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS JUNE 10, 1958

Article I

1. This Convention shall apply to the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards made in the territory of a State other than the State where the recognition and enforcement of such awards are sought, and arising out of difference between persons, whether physical or legal. It shall also apply to arbitral awards not considered as domestic awards in the State where their recognition and enforcement are sought.

2. The term “arbitral awards” shall include not only awards made by arbitrator, appointed for each case but also those made by permanent arbitral bodies to which the parties have submitted.

3. When signing, ratifying or acceding to this Convention, or notifying extension under Article X hereof, any State may on the basis of reciprocity declare that it will apply the Convention to the recognition and enforcement of awards made only in the territory or another Contracting State. It may also declare that it will apply the Convention only to differences arising out of legal relationships whether contractual or not, which are considered as commercial under the national law of the State making such declaration.

Article II

1. Each Contracting State shall recognise an agreement in writing under which the parties undertake to submit to arbitration all or any differences which have arisen or which may arise between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not, concerning a subject matter capable of settlement by arbitration.

Appendices

2. The term “agreement in writing” shall include an arbitral clause in a contract or an arbitration agreement, signed by the parties or contained in an exchange of letters or telegrams.

3. The Court or a Contracting State, when seised of an action in a matter in respect of which the parties have made an agreement within the meaning of this article, shall, at the request of one of the parties refer the parties to arbitration, unless it finds that the said agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed.

Article III

Each Contracting State shall recognise arbitral awards as binding and enforce them in accordance with the rules of procedure of the territory where the award is relied upon, under the conditions laid down in the following articles. There shall not be imposed substantially more onerous conditions or higher fees or charges on the recognition or enforcement of arbitral awards to which this Convention applies than are imposed on the recognition or enforcement of domestic arbitral awards.

Article IV

l. To obtain the recognition and enforcement mentioned in the preceding article, the party applying for recognition and enforcement shall, at the time of the application, supply-

(a) the duly authenticated original award or a duly certified copy thereof; and

(b) the original agreement referred to in Article II or a duly certified copy thereof.

2. If the said award or agreement is not made in an official language of the country in which the award is relied upon, the party applying for recognition and enforcement of the award shall produce a translation of these documents into such language. The translation shall be certified by an official or sworn translator or by a diplomatic or consular agent.

Article V

1. Recognition and enforcement of the award may be refused, at the request of the party against whom it is invoked, only if that party furnishes to the competent authority where the recognition and enforcement is sought, proof that-

(a) the parties to the agreement referred to in Article II were, under the law applicable to them, under some incapacity, or the said agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties have subjected it or, failing an indication thereon, under the law of the country where the award was made; or

(b) the party against whom the award is invoked was not given proper notice of the appointment of the arbitrator or of the arbitration proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or

(c) the award deals with a difference not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or it contains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the submission to arbitration, provided that, if the decisions on matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those not so submitted, that part of the award which contains decisions on matters submitted to arbitration may be recognised and enforced; or

(d) the composition of the arbitral authority or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, or, failing such agreement, was not in accordance with the law of the country where the arbitration took place; or

(e) the award has not yet become binding on the parties, or has been set aside or suspended by a competent authority of the country in which, or under the law of which, that award was made.

2. Recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award may also be refused if the competent authority in the country where recognition and enforcement is sought finds that-

(a) the subject matter of the difference is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law of that country; or

(b) the recognition or enforcement of the award would be contrary to the public policy of that country.

Article VI

If an application for the setting aside or suspension of the award has been made to a competent authority referred to in Article V paragraph (1) (e), the authority before which the award is sought to be relied upon may, if it considers it proper, adjourn the decision on the enforcement of the award and may also, on the application of the party claiming enforcement of the award, order the other party to give suitable security.

APPENDICES

Article VII

1. The provisions of the present Convention shall not affect the validity of multilateral or bilateral agreements concerning the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards entered into by the Contracting States nor deprive any interested party of any right he may have to avail himself of an arbitral award in the manner and to the extent allowed by the law or the treaties of the country where such award is sought to be relied upon.

2. The Geneva Protocol on Arbitration Clauses of 1923 and the Geneva Convention of the Execution of Foreign Arbitral Awards of 1927 shall cease to have effect between Contracting States on their becoming bound and to the extent that they become bound, by this Convention.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

Article VIII

1. This Convention shall be open until 31 December 1958 for signature on behalf of any member of the United Nations and also on behalf of any other State which is or hereafter becomes a member of any specialised agency of the United Nations, or which is or hereafter becomes a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, or any other State to which an invitation has been addressed by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

2. This Convention shall be ratified and the instrument of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article IX

This Convention shall be open for accession to all States referred to in Article VIII.
Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article X

1. Any State may, at the time of signature, ratification or accession, declare that this Convention shall extend to all or any of the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible. Such a declaration shall take effect when the Convention enters into force for the State concerned.

2. At any time thereafter, any such extension shall be made by notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and shall take effect as from the ninetieth day after the day of receipt by the Secretary-General of the United Nations of this notification, or as from the date of entry into force of the Convention For the State concerned, whichever is the later.

3. With respect to those territories to which this Convention is not extended at the time of signature, ratification or accession, each State concerned shall consider the possibility of taking the necessary steps in order to extend the application of this Convention to such territories, subject, where necessary for constitutional reasons, to the consent of the governments of such territories.

Article XI

1. In the case of a federal or non-unitary State, the following provisions shall apply-

(a) with respect to those Articles of this Convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of the federal authority, the obligations of the federal government shall to this extent be the same as those of Contracting States which are not federal states;

(b) with respect to those Articles of this Convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of constituent states or provinces which are not, under the constitutional system of the federation, bound to take legislative action, the federal government shall bring such articles with a favourable recommendation to the notice of the appropriate authorities of constituent states or provinces at the
earliest possible moment;

(c) a federal state party to this Convention shall, at the request of any other contracting state transmitted through the Secretary-General of the United nations, supply a statement of the law and practice of the federation and its constituent units in regard to any particular provisions of this Convention, showing the extent to which effect has been given to that provision by legislative or other action.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

Article XII

1. This Convention shall come into force on the ninetieth day following the date of deposit of the third instrument of ratification or accession.

2. For each State ratifying or acceding to this Convention after the deposit of the third instrument of ratification or accession, this Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.

APPENDICES

Article XIII

1. Any contracting State may denounce this Convention by a written notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Denunciation shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General.

2. Any State which has made a declaration or notification under Article X may, at any time thereafter, by notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, declare that this Convention shall cease to extend to the territory concerned one year after the date of the receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General.

3. This Convention shall continue to be applicable to arbitral awards in respect of which recognition or enforcement proceedings have been instituted before the denunciation takes effect.

Article XIV

A Contracting State shall not be entitled to avail itself of the present Convention against other Contracting States except to the extent that it is itself bound to apply the Convention.

Article XV

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall notify the States contemplated in Article VIII of the following-

(a) signature and ratifications in accordance with Article VIII;
(b) accessions in accordance with Article IX;

(c) declarations and notifications under Articles I, X and XI;

(d) the date upon which this Convention enters into force in accordance with Article XII;

(e) denunciations and notifications in accordance with Article XIII.

Article XVI

1. This Convention, of which the Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts should be equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the United Nations.

2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit a certified copy of this Convention to the States contemplated in Article VIII.

THIRD SCHEDULE
[Section 55.]

Conciliation Rules

APPLICATION OFTHE RULES

Article 1

(1) These Rules apply to conciliation of disputes arising out of or relating to a contractual or other legal relationship where the parties seeking an amicable settlement of their dispute have agreed that the Conciliation Rules apply.

(2) The parties may agree to exclude or vary any of these Rules at any time.

(3) Where any of these Rules is in conflict with a provision of this Act or any law from which the parties cannot derogate, that provision prevails.

COMMENCEMENT OF CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS

Article 2

(1) The party initiating conciliation sends to the other party a written invitation to conciliate under these Rules, briefly identifying the subject of the dispute.

(2) Conciliation proceedings commence when the other party accepts the invitation to conciliate. If the acceptance is made orally, it is advisable that it be confirmed in writing.

(3) If the other party rejects the invitation, there will be no conciliation proceedings.

(4) If the party initiating conciliation does not receive a reply within thirty days from the date on which he sends the invitation, or within such other period of time as specified in the invitation, he may elect to treat this as a rejection for the invitation to conciliate. If he so elects, he informs the other party accordingly.

NUMBER OF CONCILIATORS

Article 3

There shall be one conciliator unless the parties agree that there shall be two or three conciliators. Where there is more than one conciliator, they ought, as a general rule, to act jointly.

APPOINTMENT OF CONCILIATOR

Article 4

(1) (a) In conciliation proceedings with one conciliator, the parties shall endeavour to reach agreement on the name of a sole conciliator.

(b) In conciliation proceedings with two conciliators, each party appoints one conciliator.

(c) In conciliation proceedings with three conciliators, each party appoints one conciliator. The parties shall endeavour to reach agreement on the name of the third conciliator.

(2) Parties may enlist the assistance of an appropriate institution or person in connection with the appointment of conciliators. In particular-

(a) a party may request such an institution or person to recommend the names of suitable individuals to act as conciliators; or

(b) the parties may agree that the appointment of one or more conciliators be made by such institution or person.

In recommending or appointing individuals to act as conciliator, the institution or person shall have regard to such consideration as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial conciliator.

SUBMISSION OF STATEMENTS TO CONCILIATOR

Article 5

(1) The conciliator upon his appointment, requests each party to submit to him a brief written statement describing the general nature of the dispute and the points at issue. Each party sends a copy of his statement to the other party.

(2) The conciliator may request each party to submit to him a further written statement of his position and the facts and grounds in support thereof, supplemented by any documents and other evidence that such party deems appropriate. The party sends a copy of his statement to the other party.

(3) At any stage of the conciliation proceedings, the conciliator may request a party to submit to him such additional information as he deems appropriate.

REPRESENTATION AND ASSISTANCE

Article 6

The parties may be represented or assisted by persons of their choice. The names and addresses of such persons are to be communicated in writing to the other party and to the conciliator; such communication is to specify whether the appointment is made for purposes of representation or of assistance.

ROLE OF CONCILIATOR

Article 7

(1) The conciliator assists the parties in an independent and impartial manner in their attempt to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute.

(2) The conciliator will be guided by principles of objectivity, fairness and justice, giving consideration to, among other things, the rights and obligations of the parties, the usages of the trade concerned and the circumstances surrounding the dispute, including any previous business practices between the parties.

(3) The conciliator may conduct the conciliation proceedings in such a manner as he considers appropriate, taking into account the circumstances of the case, the wishes the parties may express, including any request by a party that the conciliator hear oral statements, and the need for a speedy settlement of the dispute.

(4) The conciliator may, at any stage of the conciliation proceedings, make proposals for a settlement of the dispute. Such proposals need not be in writing and need not be accompanied by a statement of the reasons therefore.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE

Article 8

In order to facilitate the conduct of the conciliation proceedings, the parties, or the conciliator with the consent of the parties, may arrange for administrative assistance by a suitable institution or person.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONCILIATOR AND PARTIES

Article 9

(1) The conciliator may invite the parties to meet with him or may communicate with them orally or in writing. He may meet or communicate with the parties together or with each of them separately.

(2) Unless the parties have agreed upon the place where meetings with the conciliator are to be held, such place will be determined by the conciliator after consultation with the parties having regard to the circumstances of the conciliation proceedings.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

Article 10

When the conciliator receives factual information concerning the dispute from a party, he discloses the substances of that information to the other party in order that the other party may have the opportunity to present any explanation which he considers appropriate.

CO-OPERATION OF PARTIES WITH CONCILIATOR

Article 11

The parties will in good faith co-operate with the conciliator and, in particular, will endeavour to comply with requests by the conciliator to submit written materials, provide evidence and attend meetings.

SUGGESTIONS BY PARTIES FOR SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTE

Article 12

Each party may, on his own initiative or at the invitation for the conciliator, submit to the conciliator suggestions for the settlement of the dispute.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Article 13

(1) When it appears to the conciliator that there exists elements of a settlement which would be acceptable to the parties, he formulates the terms of a possible settlement and submits them to the parties for their observations. After receiving the observations of the parties, the conciliator may reformulate the terms of a possible settlement in the light of such observations.

(2) If the parties reach agreement on a settlement of the dispute, they draw up and sign a written settlement agreement. If requested by the parties the conciliator draws up, or assists the parties in drawing up, the settlement agreement.

(3) The parties by signing the settlement agreement put an end to the dispute and are bound by the agreement.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Article 14

The conciliator and the parties must keep confidential all matters relating to the conciliation proceedings. Confidentiality extends also to the settlement agreement, except where its disclosure is necessary for purposes of implementation and enforcement.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

TERMINATION OF CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS

Article 15
The conciliation proceedings are terminated-

(a) by the signing of the settlement agreement by the parties, on the date of the agreement; or

(b) by a written declaration of the conciliator, after consultation with the parties, to the effect that further efforts at conciliation are no longer justified on the date of the declaration; or

(c) by a written declaration of the parties addressed to the conciliator to the effect that the conciliation proceedings are terminated, on the date for the declaration; or

(d) by a written declaration of a party to the other party and the conciliator, if appointed, to the effect that the conciliation proceedings are terminated on the date of the declaration.

RESORT TO ARBITRAL OR JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

Article 16

The parties undertake not to initiate, during the conciliation proceedings, any arbitral or judicial proceedings in respect of a dispute that is the subject of the conciliation proceedings.

COSTS

Article 17

(1) Upon termination of the conciliation proceedings, the conciliator fixes the costs of the conciliation and gives written notice thereof to the parties.

The term “costs” includes only-

(a) the fee of the conciliator which shall be a reasonable amount;
(b) the travel and other expenses of the conciliator;

(c) the travel and other expenses of witnesses requested by the conciliator with the consent of the parties;

(d) the cost of any assistance provided pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 2 (b), and 8 of these Rules.

(2) The costs, as defined above are borne equally by the parties unless the settlement agreement provides for a different apportionment. All other expenses incurred by a party are borne by that party.

DEPOSITS

Article 18

(1) The conciliator, upon his appointment, may request each party to deposit an equal amount as an advance for the costs referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1) which he expects will be incurred.

(2) During the course of the conciliation proceedings, the conciliator may request supplementary deposits, in an equal amount from each party.

(3) If the required deposits under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article are not paid in full by both parties within thirty days, the conciliator may suspend the proceedings or may make a written declaration of termination to the parties, effective on the date of that declaration.

(4) Upon termination of the conciliation proceedings, the conciliator renders an account to the parties of the deposits received and returns any unexpended balance to the parties.

ROLE OF CONCILIATOR IN OTHER PROCEEDINGS

Article 19

The parties and the conciliator undertake that the conciliator shall not act as an arbitrator or as a representative or counsel of a party in any arbitral or judicial proceedings in respect of a dispute that is the subject of the conciliation proceedings. The conciliator shall not be presented as a witness in any such proceedings.

ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE IN OTHER PROCEEDINGS

Article 20

The parties undertake not to rely on or introduce as evidence in arbitral or judicial proceedings, whether or not such proceedings relate to the dispute that is the subject of the conciliation proceedings-

(a) views expressed or suggestions made by the other party in respect of a possible settlement of the dispute;

(b) admissions made by the other party in the course of the conciliation proceedings;

(c) proposals made by the conciliator;

(d) the fact that the other party had indicated his willingness to accept a proposal for settlement made by the conciliator.

Credit: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)

Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1988 (NG)

Arbitration and Conciliation Act

1. Form of arbitration agreement

2. Arbitration agreement irrevocable except by agreement or leave of court

3. Death of party

4. Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court

5. Power to stay proceedings

6. Number of arbitrators

7. Appointment of arbitrators

8. Grounds for challenge

9. Challenge procedure

10. Termination of mandate due to failure or impossibility to act

11. Appointment of substitute arbitrator

12. Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction

13. Power of arbitral tribunal to order interim measure of protection

14. Equal treatment of parties

15. Arbitral proceedings

16. Place of arbitration

17. Commencement of arbitral proceedings

18. Language to be used in arbitral proceedings

19. Points of claim and defence

20. Hearing and written proceedings

21. Default of a party

22. Power of arbitral tribunal to appoint expert

23. Power of court to order attendance of witness

24. Decision making by arbitral tribunal

25. Settlement

26. Form and contents of award

27. Termination of proceedings

28. Correction and interpretation of award and additional award

29. Application for setting aside an arbitral award

30. Setting aside of award in case of misconduct by arbitrator, etc.

31. Recognition and enforcement of awards

32. Refusal of recognition or enforcement of award

33. Waiver of right to object

34. Extent of court intervention

35. Extent of application of this Act to arbitration

36. Extension of time

37. Right to settle dispute by conciliation

38. Request to conciliate

39. Commencement of conciliation proceedings

40. Appointment of conciliators

41. Action by the conciliation body

42. Terms of settlement

43. Application of this Part of this Act

44. Appointment of sole arbitrator, etc.

45. Challenge of arbitrators

46. Replacement of arbitrators

47. Rules applicable to substance of dispute

48. Setting aside of arbitral award

49. Costs

50. Deposit of costs

51. Recognition and enforcement of awards

52. Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement

53. Application of Arbitration Rules set out in the First Schedule

54. Application of the Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, etc.

55. Conciliation Rules

56. Receipt of written communication

57. Interpretation

58. Short title and application

SCHEDULES

Arbitration Rules

CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS JUNE 10, 1958

Conciliation Rules

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