I.  BASIC INFORMATION

A.   History and Background of the Institution

The Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) is Australia’s international arbitration institution.  Established in 1985 as a non-profit public company, the primary objectives of ACICA are to support and facilitate international arbitration and mediation and to promote Sydney and Australia as a venue for both. 

ACICA’s former role in administering arbitrations was mainly limited to the appointment of arbitrators and the holding of cost deposits for ad hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.  This changed significantly in 2005 when ACICA launched its own institutional arbitration rules, known as the ACICA Arbitration Rules (“ACICA Rules” or “Rules”), for which it became the administrating body for arbitrations under those rules. The revised version of these rules, which came into force on 1 August 2011, incorporate the provisions for the appointment of an Emergency Arbitrator in Schedule 2, and the associated fees payable with such appointment in Appendix A. In addition to the administration of arbitration proceedings, ACICA offers practical assistance to facilitate arbitration hearings by providing various services, such as the provision of hearing facilities, transcription and information technology services. On 2 March 2011, the Australian government confirmed ACICA as the sole default appointing authority competent to perform the arbitrator appointment functions under the amended International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth). ACICA’s educational activities include holding regular seminars and conferences to enhance the knowledge and understanding of international arbitration throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

ACICA operates from three offices in Australia, with its head office in Sydney and a satellite office each in Melbourne and in Perth. ACICA has entered into a number of co-operative arrangements with other international arbitral institutions around the world such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce—Arbitration Institute (SCC) and the American Arbitration Association (AAA).  It  is also a founding member of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG) which was established in 2004, a regional federation of over 30 arbitration associations which aims to improve standards and knowledge of international arbitration. In addition, ACICA is also the nominated Australian contact for proceedings under the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Australia.