This is a ready reference for certain important provisions of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) opted by parties.

SECTION I. GENERAL RULES

Article 1 – Scope of Application

1.1 These Rules shall govern arbitrations where an arbitration agreement (whether entered into before or after a dispute has arisen) either: (a) provides for these Rules to apply; or (b) subject to Articles 1.2 and 1.3 below, provides for arbitration "administered by HKIAC" or words to similar effect.

1.2 Nothing in these Rules shall prevent parties to a dispute or arbitration agreement from naming HKIAC as appointing authority, or from requesting certain administrative services from HKIAC, without subjecting the arbitration to the provisions contained in these Rules. For the avoidance of doubt, these Rules shall not govern arbitrations where an arbitration agreement provides for arbitration under other rules, including other rules adopted by HKIAC from time to time.

1.3 Subject to Article 1.4, these Rules shall come into force on 1 November 2013 and, unless the parties have agreed otherwise, shall apply to all arbitrations falling within Article 1.1 in which the Notice of Arbitration is submitted on or after that date.

1.4 The provisions contained in Articles 23.1, 28, 29 and Schedule 4 shall not apply if the arbitration agreement was concluded before the date on which these Rules came into force, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

SECTION II.COMMENCEMENT OF THE ARBITRATION

Article 4 – Notice of Arbitration

4.1 The party initiating recourse to arbitration (hereinafter called the "Claimant") shall submit a Notice of Arbitration in writing to HKIAC at its address, facsimile number or email address.

4.2 An arbitration shall be deemed to commence on the date on which a copy of the Notice of Arbitration is received by HKIAC. For the avoidance of doubt, this date shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Articles 2.1 and 2.2.

4.3 The Notice of Arbitration shall include the following: (a) a demand that the dispute be referred to arbitration; (b) the names and (in so far as known) the addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and email addresses of the parties and of their counsel; (c) a copy of the arbitration agreement(s) invoked; (d) a reference to the contract(s) or other legal instrument(s) out of or in relation to which the dispute arises; (e) a description of 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; (h) the Claimant's proposal regarding the designation of a sole arbitrator under Article 7, or the Claimant's designation of an arbitrator under Article 8; and (i) confirmation that copies of the Notice of Arbitration and any exhibits included therewith have been or are being served simultaneously on all other parties (hereinafter called the "Respondent") by one or more means of service to be identified in such confirmation.

4.4 The Notice of Arbitration shall be accompanied by payment, by cheque or transfer to the account of HKIAC, of the Registration Fee as required by Schedule 1.

4.5 The Notice of Arbitration shall be submitted in the language of the arbitration as agreed by the parties. If no agreement has been reached between the parties, the Notice of Arbitration shall be submitted in either English or Chinese.

4.6 The Notice of Arbitration may also include the Statement of Claim referred to in Article 16.

4.7 If the Notice of Arbitration is incomplete or if the Registration Fee is not paid, HKIAC may request the Claimant to remedy the defect within an appropriate period of time. If the Claimant complies with such directions within the applicable time limit, the arbitration shall be deemed to have commenced under Article 4.2 on the date the initial version was received by HKIAC. If the Claimant fails to comply, the Notice of Arbitration shall be deemed not to have been validly submitted and the arbitration shall be deemed not to have commenced under Article 4.2 without prejudice to the Claimant's right to submit the same claim at a later date in a subsequent Notice of Arbitration.

4.8 The Claimant shall notify and lodge documentary verification with HKIAC of the date of receipt by Respondent of the Notice of Arbitration and any exhibits included therewith.

Article 5 – Answer to the Notice of Arbitration

5.1 Within 30 days from receipt of the Notice of Arbitration, the Respondent shall submit to HKIAC an Answer to the Notice of Arbitration. This Answer to the Notice of Arbitration shall include the following: (a) the name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address of the Respondent and of its counsel (if different from the description contained in the Notice of Arbitration); (b) any plea that an arbitral tribunal constituted under these Rules lacks jurisdiction; (c) the Respondent's comments on the particulars set forth in the Notice of Arbitration, pursuant to Article 4.3(e); (d) the Respondent's answer to the relief or remedy sought in the Notice of Arbitration, pursuant to Article 4.3(f); (e) the Respondent's proposal as to the number of arbitrators (i.e. one or three), if the parties have not previously agreed thereon; (f) the parties' joint designation of a sole arbitrator under Article 7 or the Respondent's designation of an arbitrator under Article 8; and (g) confirmation that copies of the Answer to the Notice of Arbitration and any exhibits included therewith have been or are being served simultaneously on all other parties to the arbitration by one or more means of service to be identified in such confirmation.

5.2 The Answer to the Notice of Arbitration shall be submitted in the language of the arbitration as agreed by the parties. If no agreement has been reached between the parties, the Answer to the Notice of Arbitration shall be submitted in either English or Chinese.

5.3 The Answer to the Notice of Arbitration may also include the Statement of Defence referred to in Article 17, if the Notice of Arbitration contained the Statement of Claim referred to in Article 16.

5.4 Any counterclaim or set-off defence shall to the extent possible be raised with the Respondent's Answer to the Notice of Arbitration, which should include in relation to any such counterclaim or set-off defence:

a reference to the contract(s) or other legal instrument(s) out of or in relation to which it arises;

a description of the general nature of the counterclaim and/or set-off defence and an indication of the amount involved, if any;

the relief or remedy sought.

5.5 If no counterclaim or set-off defence is raised with the Respondent's Answer to the Notice of Arbitration, or if there is no indication of the amount of the counterclaim or set-off, HKIAC shall rely upon the information provided by the Claimant pursuant to Article 4.3(e) for its determination of: (a) HKIAC's Administrative Fees referred to in Article 33.1(f) and Schedule 1; (b) the arbitral tribunal's fees (where Article 10.1(b) and Schedule 3 applies); and (c) whether the provisions of Article 41 (the "Expedited Procedure") may be applicable.

5.6 Once the Registration Fee has been paid and the arbitral tribunal has been confirmed, HKIAC shall transmit the file to the arbitral tribunal.

SECTION III.THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL

Article 6 – Number of Arbitrators

6.1 If the parties have not agreed upon the number of arbitrators, HKIAC shall decide whether the case shall be referred to a sole arbitrator or to three arbitrators, taking into account the circumstances of the case.

6.2 Where a case is handled under an Expedited Procedure in accordance with Article 41, the provisions of Article 41.2(a) and (b) shall apply.

Article 7 – Appointment of a Sole Arbitrator

7.1 Unless the parties have agreed otherwise and subject to Articles 9, 10, 11.1 to 11.4: (a) where the parties have agreed that the dispute shall be referred to a sole arbitrator, they shall jointly designate the sole arbitrator within 30 days from the date when the Notice of Arbitration was received by the Respondent; (b) where the parties have not agreed upon the number of arbitrators and HKIAC has decided that the dispute shall be referred to a sole arbitrator, the parties shall jointly designate the sole arbitrator within 30 days from the date when HKIAC's decision was received by the last of them.

7.2 If the parties fail to designate the sole arbitrator within the applicable time limit, HKIAC shall appoint the sole arbitrator.

Article 8 – Appointment of Three Arbitrators

8.1 Where a dispute between two parties is referred to three arbitrators, the arbitral tribunal shall be constituted as follows unless the parties have agreed otherwise:

where the parties have agreed that the dispute shall be referred to three arbitrators, each party shall designate, in the Notice of Arbitration and the Answer to the Notice of Arbitration, respectively, one arbitrator. If either party fails to designate an arbitrator, HKIAC shall appoint the arbitrator;

where the parties have not agreed upon the number of arbitrators and HKIAC has decided that the dispute shall be referred to three arbitrators, the Claimant shall designate an arbitrator within 15 days from receipt of HKIAC's decision, and the Respondent shall designate an arbitrator within 15 days from receipt of notification of the Claimant's designation. If a party fails to designate an arbitrator, HKIAC shall appoint the arbitrator;

the two arbitrators so appointed shall designate a third arbitrator who shall act as the presiding arbitrator of the arbitral tribunal. Failing such designation within 30 days from the confirmation of the second arbitrator, HKIAC shall appoint the presiding arbitrator.

8.2 Where there are more than two parties to the arbitration and the dispute is to be referred to three arbitrators, the arbitral tribunal shall be constituted as follows unless the parties have agreed otherwise:

the Claimant or group of Claimants shall designate an arbitrator and the Respondent or group of Respondents shall designate an arbitrator in accordance with the procedure in Article 8.1(a) or (b), as applicable;

if the parties have designated arbitrators in accordance with Article 8.2(a), the procedure in Article 8.1(c) shall apply to the designation of the presiding arbitrator;

In the event of any failure to designate arbitrators under Article 8.2(a) or if the parties do not all agree in writing that they represent two separate sides (as Claimant(s) and Respondent(s) respectively) for the purposes of designating arbitrators, HKIAC may appoint all members of the arbitral tribunal without regard to any party's designation.

8.3 Appointment of the arbitral tribunal pursuant to Article 8.1 or 8.2 shall be subject to Articles 9, 10 and 11.1 to 11.4.

Article 9 – Confirmation of the Arbitral Tribunal

9.1 All designations of any arbitrator, whether made by the parties or the arbitrators, are subject to confirmation by HKIAC, upon which the appointments shall become effective.

9.2 The designation of an arbitrator shall be confirmed on the terms of: (a) Schedule 2; or (b) Schedule 3; as applicable, in accordance with Article 10 and subject to any variations agreed by all parties and any changes HKIAC considers appropriate.

Article 14 – Seat and Venue of the Arbitration

14.1 The parties may agree on the seat of arbitration. Where there is no agreement as to seat the seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong, unless the arbitral tribunal determines, having regard to the circumstances of the case, that another seat is more appropriate.

14.2 Unless the parties have agreed otherwise, the arbitral tribunal may meet at any location outside of the seat of arbitration which it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or the inspection of goods, other property or documents. The arbitration shall nonetheless be treated for all purposes as an arbitration conducted at the seat.

Article 19 – Jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal

19.1 The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction under these Rules, including any objections with respect to the existence, validity or scope of the arbitration agreement(s).

19.2 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 Article 19, 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 necessarily entail the invalidity of the arbitration clause.

19.3 A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall be raised if possible in the Answer to the Notice of Arbitration, and shall be raised no later than in the Statement of Defence referred to in Article 17, or, with respect to a counterclaim, in the Reply to the Counterclaim. A party is not precluded from raising such a plea by the fact that it has designated, or participated in the designation of, an arbitrator. A plea that the arbitral tribunal is exceeding the scope of its authority shall be raised as soon as the matter alleged to be beyond the scope of its authority is raised during the arbitration. The arbitral tribunal may, in either case, admit a later plea if it considers the delay justified.

19.4 If a question arises as to the existence, validity or scope of the arbitration agreement(s) or to the competence of HKIAC to administer an arbitration before the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, HKIAC may decide whether and to what extent the arbitration shall proceed. The arbitration shall proceed if and to the extent that HKIAC is satisfied, prima facie, that an arbitration agreement under the Rules may exist. Any question as to the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal shall be decided by the arbitral tribunal once confirmed pursuant to Article 19.1.

19.5 HKIAC's decision pursuant to Article 19.4 is without prejudice to the admissibility or merits of any party's pleas.

Article 23 – Interim Measures of Protection and Emergency Relief

23.1 A party may apply for urgent interim or conservatory relief (the "Emergency Relief") prior to the constitution of the arbitral tribunal pursuant to the procedures set out in Schedule 4 (the "Emergency Arbitrator Procedures").

23.2 At the request of either party, the arbitral tribunal may order any interim measures it deems necessary or appropriate.

23.3 An interim measure, whether in the form of an order or award or in another form, is any temporary measure ordered by the arbitral tribunal at any time prior to the issuance of the award by which the dispute is finally decided, that a party, for example and without limitation:

maintain or restore the status quo pending determination of the dispute;

take action that would prevent, or refrain from taking action that is likely to cause, current or imminent harm or prejudice to the arbitral process itself;

provide a means of preserving assets out of which a subsequent award may be satisfied; or (d) preserve evidence that may be relevant and material to the resolution of the dispute.

23.4 When deciding a party's request for an interim measure under Article 23.2, the arbitral tribunal shall take into account the circumstances of the case. Relevant factors may include, but are not limited to:

harm not adequately reparable by an award of damages is likely to result if the measure is not ordered, and such harm substantially outweighs the harm that is likely to result to the party against whom the measure is directed if the measure is granted; and

there is a reasonable possibility that the requesting party will succeed on the merits of the claim. The determination on this possibility shall not affect the discretion of the arbitral tribunal in making any subsequent determination.

23.5 The arbitral tribunal may modify, suspend or terminate an interim measure it has granted, upon application of any party or, in exceptional circumstances and upon prior notice to the parties, on the arbitral tribunal's own initiative.

23.6 The arbitral tribunal may require the party requesting an interim measure to provide appropriate security in connection with the measure.

23.7 The arbitral tribunal may require any party promptly to disclose any material change in the circumstances on the basis of which an interim measure was requested or granted.

23.8 The party requesting an interim measure may be liable for any costs and damages caused by the measure to any party if the arbitral tribunal later determines that, in the circumstances then prevailing, the measure should not have been granted. The arbitral tribunal may award such costs and damages at any point during the arbitration.

23.9 A request for interim measures addressed by any party to a competent judicial authority shall not be deemed incompatible with the arbitration agreement(s), or as a waiver thereof.

SCHEDULE 4

Emergency Arbitrator

1. A party requiring Emergency Relief may, concurrent with or following the filing of a Notice of Arbitration but prior to the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, submit an application (the "Application") for the appointment of an emergency arbitrator (the "Emergency Arbitrator") to HKIAC.

2. The Application shall be submitted in accordance with any of the means specified in Article 2.1 of the Rules. The Application shall include the following information:

the names and (in so far as known) the addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and email addresses of the parties to the Application and of their counsel;

a description of the circumstances giving rise to the Application and of the underlying dispute referred to arbitration;

a statement of the Emergency Relief sought;

the reasons why the applicant needs the Emergency Relief on an urgent basis that cannot await the constitution of an arbitral tribunal;

the reasons why the applicant is entitled to such Emergency Relief;

any relevant agreement(s) and, in particular, the arbitration agreement(s);

comments on the language, the seat of the Emergency Relief proceedings, and the applicable law;

confirmation of payment, by cheque or transfer to the account of HKIAC, of the amount referred to in paragraph 6 of this Schedule (the "Application Deposit"); and

confirmation that copies of the Application and any exhibits included therewith have been or are being served simultaneously on all other parties to the arbitration by one or more means of service to be identified in such confirmation.

3. The Application may contain such other documents or information as the applicant considers appropriate or as may contribute to the efficient examination of the Application.

4. Two copies of the Application shall be provided, one copy for the Emergency Arbitrator and one copy for HKIAC.

5. If HKIAC determines that it should accept the Application, HKIAC shall seek to appoint an Emergency Arbitrator within two days after receipt of both the Application and the Application Deposit.

6. The Application Deposit is the amount set by HKIAC, as stated on HKIAC's website on the date the Application is submitted. The Application Deposit consists of HKIAC's administrative expenses and the Emergency Arbitrator's fees and expenses. The Emergency Arbitrator's fees shall be determined by HKIAC by reference to his or her hourly rate subject to the terms set out in Schedule 2. HKIAC may, at any time during the Emergency Relief proceedings, decide to increase the Emergency Arbitrator's fees or HKIAC's administrative expenses, taking into account, inter alia, the nature of the case and the nature and amount of work performed by the Emergency Arbitrator and HKIAC. If the party which submitted the Application fails to pay the increased fees and/or expenses within the time limit fixed by HKIAC, the Application shall be dismissed.

7. Once the Emergency Arbitrator has been appointed, HKIAC shall so notify the parties to the Application and shall transmit the file to the Emergency Arbitrator. Thereafter, all written communications from the parties shall be submitted directly to the Emergency Arbitrator with a copy to the other party to the Application and HKIAC. A copy of any written communications from the Emergency Arbitrator to the parties shall also be copied to HKIAC.

8. Article 11 of the Rules shall apply to the Emergency Arbitrator, except that the time limits set out in Articles 11.7 and 11.9 are shortened to three days.

9. Where an Emergency Arbitrator dies, has been successfully challenged, has been otherwise removed, or has resigned, HKIAC shall seek to appoint a substitute Emergency Arbitrator within two days. If an Emergency Arbitrator withdraws or a party agrees to terminate an Emergency Arbitrator's appointment under paragraph 8 of this Schedule, no acceptance of the validity of any ground referred to in Article 11.6 of the Rules shall be implied. If the Emergency Arbitrator is replaced, the Emergency Relief proceedings shall resume at the stage where the Emergency Arbitrator was replaced or ceased to perform his or her functions, unless the substitute Emergency Arbitrator decides otherwise.

10. If the parties have agreed on the seat of arbitration, such seat shall be the seat of the Emergency Relief proceedings. Where the parties have not agreed on the seat of arbitration, and without prejudice to the arbitral tribunal's determination of the seat of arbitration pursuant to Article 14.1 of the Rules, the seat of the Emergency Relief proceedings shall be Hong Kong.

11. Taking into account the urgency inherent in the Emergency Relief proceedings and ensuring that each party has a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the Application, the Emergency Arbitrator may conduct such proceedings in such a manner as the Emergency Arbitrator considers appropriate. The Emergency Arbitrator shall have the power to rule on objections that the Emergency Arbitrator has no jurisdiction, including any objections with respect to the existence, validity or scope of the arbitration clause(s) or of the separate arbitration agreement(s), and shall resolve any disputes over the applicability of this Schedule.

12. Any decision, order or award of the Emergency Arbitrator on the Application (the "Emergency Decision") shall be made within fifteen days from the date on which HKIAC transmitted the file to the Emergency Arbitrator. This period of time may be extended by agreement of the parties or, in appropriate circumstances, by HKIAC.

13. The Emergency Decision may be made even if in the meantime the file has been transmitted to the arbitral tribunal.

14. Any Emergency Decision shall:

be made in writing;

state the date when it was made and summary reasons upon which the Emergency Decision is based (including a determination on whether the Application is admissible under Article 23.1 of the Rules and whether the Emergency Arbitrator has jurisdiction to grant the Emergency Relief); and

be signed by the Emergency Arbitrator.

15. Any Emergency Decision shall fix the costs of the Emergency Relief proceedings and decide which of the parties shall bear them or in what proportion they shall be borne by the parties, subject always to the power of the arbitral tribunal to determine finally the apportionment of such costs in accordance with Article 33 of the Rules. The costs of the Emergency Relief proceedings include HKIAC's administrative expenses, the Emergency Arbitrator's fees and expenses and the reasonable and other legal costs incurred by the parties for the Emergency Relief proceedings.

16. Any Emergency Decision shall have the same effect as an interim measure granted pursuant to Article 23 of the Rules and shall be binding on the parties when rendered. By agreeing to arbitration under these Rules, the parties undertake to comply with any Emergency Decision without delay.

17. The Emergency Arbitrator shall be entitled to order the provision of appropriate security by the party seeking Emergency Relief.

18. Any Emergency Decision may, upon a reasoned request by a party, be modified, suspended or terminated by the Emergency Arbitrator or the arbitral tribunal (once constituted).

19. Any Emergency Decision ceases to be binding:

if the Emergency Arbitrator or the arbitral tribunal so decides;

upon the arbitral tribunal rendering a final award, unless the arbitral tribunal expressly decides otherwise;

upon the withdrawal of all claims or the termination of the arbitration before the rendering of a final award; or

if the arbitral tribunal is not constituted within 90 days from the date of the Emergency Decision. This period of time may be extended by agreement of the parties or, in appropriate circumstances, by HKIAC.

20. Subject to paragraph 13 of this Schedule, the Emergency Arbitrator shall have no further power to act once the arbitral tribunal is constituted.

21. The Emergency Arbitrator may not act as arbitrator in any arbitration relating to the dispute that gave rise to the Application and in respect of which the Emergency Arbitrator has acted, unless otherwise agreed by the parties to the arbitration.

22. The Emergency Arbitrator Procedures are not intended to prevent any party from seeking urgent interim or conservatory measures from a competent judicial authority at any time.

23. In all matters not expressly provided for in this Schedule, the Emergency Arbitrator shall act in the spirit of the Rules.

24. The Emergency Arbitrator shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that an Emergency Decision is valid.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.