Criteria & Application Procedure

HKIAC manages and maintains two separate bodies to assist arbitration users search for and identify appropriate arbitrators to resolve their disputes.

The first is the HKIAC Panel of Arbitrators. This group comprises members who have demonstrated particular experience acting as arbitrator. Generally individuals included on the Panel are senior members of the arbitration community who have been appointed as arbitrator in multiple disputes and have significant experience in award drafting.

The second is the HKIAC List of Arbitrators which comprises members who may have some, but not necessarily extensive, experience acting as arbitrator as well as those who may have not yet achieved their first or multiple appointments, but who nevertheless have significant experience in arbitration to the extent that they would be suitable for appointment as arbitrator in cases either of smaller value or those with less complex issues for decision.

To apply for inclusion on either of these bodies, review the following guidelines and consider which is more appropriate in light of your experience as arbitrator or in arbitration more generally.

Appointments Committee meetings are held on a quarterly basis. Please note that the next meeting will be scheduled on 10 December 2024. The application deadline is set to be around three weeks before the meeting, which would be on 18 November 2024 (Hong Kong Time, HKT). Click here to view a list of members of HKIAC's Appointments Committee.

HKIAC will write to all applicants informing them of the result of their application.

HKIAC Panel of Arbitrators

An arbitrator who wishes to be considered for inclusion on the HKIAC Panel of Arbitrators (the Panel) must:

1. demonstrate substantial experience as arbitrator;

2. have drafted* three or more arbitral awards within the last five years, with copies of sanitised versions of two to be submitted to HKIAC upon application;

3. provide two written references; and

4. confirm that they have not been found guilty by a Court or disciplinary tribunal of misconduct.

Connection with Asia an advantage.

In exceptional circumstances eminent persons with substantial relevant experience in arbitration who do not otherwise meet the first two requirements above may be considered.

HKIAC reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to admit or reject applications for inclusion on its Panel. HKIAC may also, in its absolute discretion, invite persons fulfilling areas of particular requirement including, inter alia, nationality, country of residence, language ability and experience, to apply for inclusion on the Panel.

The decision of HKIAC as to whether a name is accepted for inclusion on the Panel is final.

Membership of the Panel is for a period of five years, ending on 31 December of the fifth year.

* Awards "drafted" by the applicant will also include those to which they have contributed as part of a three member arbitral tribunal.

HKIAC List of Arbitrators

An arbitrator who wishes to be considered for inclusion on the HKIAC List of Arbitrators (the List) must:

1. demonstrate substantial experience in arbitration (whether as arbitrator, counsel, expert witness, instructing solicitor or otherwise), with at least five years of full time arbitration experience (or equivalent);

2. have drafted* two arbitral awards, with sanitised versions to be submitted to HKIAC upon application, or if unavailable, to be substituted by two other arbitration-related documents drafted by the applicant;

3. provide two written references; and

4. confirm that they have not been found guilty by a Court or disciplinary tribunal of misconduct.

Connection with Asia an advantage.

HKIAC reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to admit or reject applications for inclusion on its List. HKIAC may also, in its absolute discretion, invite persons fulfilling areas of particular requirement including, inter alia, nationality, country of residence, language ability and experience, to apply for inclusion on the List.

The decision of HKIAC as to whether a name is accepted for inclusion on the List is final.

Membership of the List is for a period of three years, ending on 31 December of the third year.

* Awards "drafted" by the applicant will also include those to which they have contributed as part of a three member arbitral tribunal.

Application Procedure for HKIAC's Panel and List of Arbitrators

Applicants who wish to be included on HKIAC's Panel or List are required to complete the requisite application form:

• Application for HKIAC's Panel of Arbitrators – Form

• Application for HKIAC's List of Arbitrators – Form

Applicants shall submit the completed form together with the supporting documents mentioned in the guidelines above (as applicable) (the Guidelines) as well as an up-to-date CV and proposed hourly rate, to HKIAC by email to hkiac_arbitrators@hkiac.org.

All applications will be reviewed by the Secretariat to ensure that they meet the selection criteria noted in the Guidelines. If the criteria are met and the application is to be placed before the Appointments Committee for consideration, HKIAC will inform the applicant that his or her application will be tabled at the next Appointments Committee meeting.