The Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC) has announced that the new version of its Administered Arbitration Rules (2018 Rules) has been approved by its council and will come into force on November 1, 2018. 

The revision process of the 2018 rules began in August 2017 and was led by partner Nils Eliasson (Hong Kong – International Arbitration), Chair of the HKIAC Rules Revision Committee, along with committee members Matthew Gearing QC, Cameron Hassall, Briana Young, Sarah Grimmer and Joe Liu. The process also included extensive public consultations with users, stakeholders and interest groups in Hong Kong and around the world.

The major amendments proposed by the Committee in this new version included: 

• Online Delivery of Documents
• Use of Technology for Determination of Procedures
• Disclosure, Costs and Confidentiality of Third-Party Funding
• Expanded Provisions for Single Arbitration Under Multiple Contracts
• Concurrent Proceedings
• Early Determination Procedure
• Use of Alternative Means of Dispute Settlement (e.g., arb-med-arb)
• Emergency Arbitrator Procedure
• Time of Delivering Awards

Based in Hong Kong for the past 10 years, Nils is widely considered as a leading practitioner for disputes related to Asia, and to China in particular. He acts as counsel or arbitrator in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, ad hoc and institutional. His experience includes arbitrations related to joint ventures, M&A, energy, oil and gas, construction and engineering, foreign investment and commercial disputes. He is a member of the HKIAC Council and the Chairman of the HKIAC Proceedings Committee.

Access the New HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules.