I.- PROCEDURAL HISTORY 

On December 5, 2011, the Tribunal invited the Parties to submit a joint statement advising the Tribunal of their agreement on the items of the first session agenda (Draft Agenda) and of their respective positions where they were unable to reach an agreement. 

On December 20, 2011, the Claimants submitted a separate statement regarding the Draft Agenda. On December 23, 2011, the Respondent requested an extension to submit its statement. On December 30, 2011, the Tribunal granted the requested extension, but only until Friday, February 3, 2012. 

The Tribunal did not receive the Parties’ joint statement by the due date, i.e., February 3, 2012. Therefore, on February 7 and 9, 2012, the Tribunal renewed its request that the Parties should present a joint document addressing the first session agenda items without further delay. 

The Parties submitted their comments to the Draft Agenda on February 10, 2012 (Respondent) and February 20, 2012 (Claimants). 

On February 21, 2012, the Tribunal requested the Parties to confirm their agreement that the first session be held outside of the 60-day period prescribed in Arbitration Rule 13(1). On February 22, 2012, the Parties confirmed their agreement to extend the 60-day period by 60 additional days. 

The Tribunal prepared a procedural order taking into consideration the comments made by the Parties. On February 23, 2012, the Tribunal submitted the procedural order to the Parties in draft form and invited them to comment on it. 

On March 2, 2012, the Parties filed their comments on the draft procedural order. The Parties filed further comments on the draft order on March 7, 8, 19, and April 4, 2012.