The China International Economic & Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) approved a new set of arbitration rules effective on January 1, 2015.  The 2015 CIETAC Rules include a number of important updates and revisions that bring CIETAC arbitration proceedings closer in line with international arbitration practices. The revisions include the following:

• Establishment of an Arbitration Court to take over case management role from CIETAC’s Secretariat (Article 2)

• “Notarized service” considered “deemed service” (Article 8)

• Use of single arbitration under multiple contracts (Article 14)

• Joinder of third parties (Article 18)

• Provisions providing for compulsory consolidation of cases (Article 19)

• Presiding arbitrator’s right to decide on procedural matters alone (Article 35)

• Summary procedure amount in controversy raised from RMB 2 million ($325,000) to RMB 5 million (US$810,000) (Article 56)

• Addition of special provisions for Hong Kong arbitration matters including a special fee schedule (Articles 73-80)

• Arbitrator compensation to allow for deposits for international arbitrators (Article 82)