POINTERS TO REVIEW IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

I. Procedures  on  Arbitration  Process  (Procedures  to  adapt  when  the  arbitrator  cannot  make  a  definitive  ruling?)  

II. Disclosure  (What  matters  are  to  be  disclosed  to  the  parties?)  

-­‐ Arbitrators  are  required  to  disclose  prior  contacts  and  relationships.  Hence,  involves  the  requirement  that  arbitrators  are  impartial  and  independent.  It  is  also  important  to  note  that  arbitrators  may  be  removed  not  necessarily  because  the  relationship  is  a  ground  for  inhibition  but  because  of  the  failure  to  disclose.    

-­‐ Matters touching on relationships and events, other than casual, that are related to the arbitration; the parties to the arbitration, including directors, important officers and significant stockholders; the other arbitrators, party representatives (or counsel for the parties), even important witnesses.

-­‐ in case of doubt, the unwritten rule is to disclose

III. Party  Autonomy  vs  Statutory  Arbitration  

-­‐ Party  autonomy  is  a  choice  of  law  doctrine  that  permits  parties  to  choose  the  law  of  a  particular  country  or  sovereignty  to  govern  their  contract  that  involves  two  or  more  jurisdictions.    

-­‐ On  the  other  hand,  statutory  arbitration  pertains  to  

matters  that  are  ordered  in  more  or  less  detail  by  a  statute.  Unlike  in  party  autonomy,  statutory  arbitration  does  not  require  agreement  but  a  stipulation  to  commence  to  arbitration.  

IV. Classification  of  Courts  which  intervene  in  the  Arbitration  

V. Cognizance  of  International  Arbitration  agreement  /awards  outside  the  Philippines  

VI. Issues  as  to  the  appointing  authority  in  arbitration  in  the  presence  or  absence  of  a   ���provision  in  the  arbitration  agreement  (Who  can  appoint?)  

VII. Basis  of  right  not  to  be  appointed  as  an  arbitrator  

VIII. Crafting  the  Arbitration  Procedure  

- In  arbitration,  it  is  the  parties  that  craft  the  procedure.  However,  Model  Law  19(2)  allows  an  alternative  for  the  tribunal  to  craft  the  procedure  in  case  such  agreement  fails.

-­‐  Since  arbitration  allows  the  parties  to  control  many  more  aspects  of  the  dispute  resolution  process  than  the  traditional  litigation,  drafting  precise  arbitration  clauses  would  help  parties  to  achieve  such  specific  proceeding  as  on  how  they’d  want  it  to  occur.  In  line  with  this,  the  following  topics  are  fundamental  to  prepare  an  arbitration  provision  that  captures  the  intent  of  the  parties  and  avoids  needless  litigation  and  costs:    1. Conditions  Subsequent  to  the  Arbitration  

-­‐  Beneficial  to  require  the  parties  to  comply  with  certain  requirements  before  a  formal  demand  for  

arbitration  is  made.  2. Seat  of  Arbitration  

-­‐  To  be  able  to  understand  the  specific  rules  and  practices  of  potential  forums,  which  will  govern  how  the  arbitration  will  proceed.  

3.  Timing  Provisions    -­‐  Parties  can  agree  the  time  frame  of  the  arbitration.  4.  Quality  and  Number  of  Arbiters  -­‐  Parties  can  agree  beforehand  the  number  and  qualifications  of  the  arbiters  participating  in  the  arbitration.    5.  Confidentiality  -­‐  As  opposed  to  court  filings,  arbitrations  are  conducted  outside  the  public  record  thus  allowing  for  greater  confidentiality.    6.  Language  7.  Domestic  or  International  -­‐  Some  countries  have  specific  laws  that  deal  with  domestic  vs.  international  categorization  of  arbitrations,  and  this  can  have  a  significant  effect  on  both  the  process  and  outcome  of  the  arbitration.    8.  Costs  and  Attorney’s  Fees  -­‐  Allocation  is  at  the  discretion  of  the  arbiter  or  the  arbitration  tribunal.    9.  Concurrent,  Subsequent  and  Final  Proceedings  -­‐  A  well-­‐drafted  arbitration  clause  should  be  understood  as  the  exclusive  or  final  resolution  of  a  dispute.  While  there  are  inherent  risks  and  costs  in  any  transaction,  these  can  be  lessened  if  parties  take  the  small  affirmative  

step  of  preparing  detailed  arbitration  provisions.      

IX. Schedule  of  fees  

X. Parties  failed  to  attend  preliminary  conference;  refuse  to  sign  the  Terms  of   ���Reference  (TOR).  (Under  the  ICC  Arbitration  as  counsel  for  the  corporation  what  are   ���the  steps  to  take  if  you  want  to  continue  or  go  on  with  the  arbitration  process?)  

XI. Rules  of  confidentiality  

XII. If  there’s  no  disclosure  

- It  is  also  important  to  note  that  arbitrators  may  be  removed  not  necessarily  because  the  relationship  is  a  ground  for  inhibition  but  because  of  the  failure  to  disclose.

XIII. Non-­‐lawyer  serving  as  arbitrator  

XIV. Remedies  when  the  client  avoid  arbitration  (whether  or  not  arbitration  process  in   ���pathological?)  

XV. What  to  do  if  the  tribunal  rule  that  it  has  no  jurisdiction?  

XVI. Suspension  of  arbitration  during  the  pendency  of  a  prior  case  

XVII. Independent  autonomy  of  panel  of  arbitrators.  

XVIII. May  the  party/parties  withdraw  the  arbitrator’s  

appointment?  (Grounds  for   ���disqualification)  

XIX. What  to  do  when  the  arbitrator  does  not  understand  the  legal  basis/law  of  the   ���contract?  

XX. What  the  arbitrator  should  do  if  there  are  two  wrong  legal  theories?  

AA