ICC supports the continuity of global trade by helping businesses prevent and resolve their disputes. In so doing, ICC provides access to justice and the rule of law to facilitate peace, prosperity, and opportunity through global trade.

The International Court of Arbitration is the world’s leading arbitral institution. Since its establishment in 1923, the Court has administered more than 28'000 international arbitration cases that have involved parties and arbitrators from more than 100 countries.

The court is widely renowned for its strict neutrality. Compared with ordinary legal procedures, the advantage of arbitration lies in its highly efficient management of proceedings. Parties are free as regards choosing an arbitrator, particularly concerning the place and language of arbitration, as well as the applicable rules of law. Moreover, arbitral proceedings result in binding awards.

The Court of Arbitrations' role lies in providing an organisational framework for the procedures and offering, if necessary, support to arbitrators. It oversees procedures, helps to resolve problems and guarantees the enforcements of awards. Support is granted in French, English, Arab, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Russian.

Parties wishing to have recourse to ICC arbitration in case of commercial conflict should introduce specific reference meanwhile negotiating their contract - well ahead signs of commercial dispute appear. For all parties stipulating ICC arbitration as dispute resolution mechanism, the following Standard clause is recommended: «All disputes arising out of or in connection with the present contract shall be finally settled under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce by one or more arbitrators appointed in accordance with the said Rules of Arbitration»

The Court performs an essential role by providing individuals, businesses and governments alike with a variety of customisable services for every stage of their dispute.

Although it is called a court in name, it does not make formal judgments on disputed matters. Instead, it exercises judicial supervision of arbitration proceedings. Its responsibilities include:

• confirming, appointing and replacing arbitrators, as well as deciding on any challenges made against them
• monitoring the arbitral process to make certain that it is performed properly and with the required speed and efficiency necessary
• scrutinising and approving all arbitral awards to reinforce quality and enforceability
• setting, managing and - if necessary - adjusting fees and advances
• overseeing emergency proceedings before the start of the arbitration

• President: Claudia Salomon
• Secretary General: Alexander G. Fessas
• Swiss members of the Court: Diana Akikol and Laurent Killias
• Vice-President: Daniel Hochstrasser

Court's Secretariat

The Court’s purpose is to ensure proper application of the ICC Rules, as well as to assist parties and arbitrators in overcoming procedural obstacles. These efforts are supported by the Court’s Secretariat, which is made up of more than 80 lawyers and support personnel.

English and French are the Court’s official working languages. However, it can administer cases in any language and communicate in all major languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

In an increasingly tumultuous trade environment where access to justice and the rule of law are key to ensuring business continuity, ICC Dispute Resolution Services facilitate the resolution of commercial disputes with unmatched levels of service.

ICC DRS offers a range of services to promote the continuity of global trade by helping commercial parties avoid, manage and resolve their disputes efficiently.

Dispute Resolution Services, including ICC Arbitration and dispute avoidance tools, ensure that when disputes arise, they are resolved quickly and efficiently. This allows parties to focus on their core business priorities with complete peace of mind, thanks to cost and process transparency, security and confidentiality.

How DRS works 

To resolve disputes effectively and efficiently, businesses need a fair process and equal access to justice. Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms give parties fast, predictable, cost effective and efficient access to justice which is why businesses include arbitration and ADR clauses in their commercial contracts.

ICC DRS offers a wide choice of customisable services for every stage of a dispute, from the services offered by the ICC International Centre for ADR (mediation, experts, dispute boards and docdex) to ICC Arbitration, delivered by the most trusted institution worldwide: the ICC International Court of Arbitration. ICC’s range of administered procedures can be used separately, successively or even concurrently as an alternative to litigation for resolving domestic and international disputes.

ICC Arbitration is a process guided by the ICC Rules of Arbitration. ICC’s globally accessible and completely neutral services are available to anyone, from individuals and private sector enterprises to states and state entities. Anyone can benefit from ICC Arbitration’s flexibility and effectiveness. The only requirement for a party to be able to benefit from ICC Arbitration is to consent to its use in a contract, treaty or separate arbitration agreement. This is usually provided for before a dispute arises, but may also occur after the dispute has taken place.

The International Court of Arbitration is the world’s leading arbitral institution. Since 1923, ICC has been helping to resolve disputes in international commercial and investment disputes.

Unrivalled in experience and expertise, the ICC Court and its Secretariat are always ready to assist parties and arbitral tribunals with any questions relating to the conduct of the arbitration and strive to ensure ICC awards are enforceable. The Court’s Secretariat, with over 100 lawyers and support personnel, operating through offices in Paris, Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Sao Paolo, and Abu Dhabi administers cases in any chosen language. It continuously seeks to improve efficiency, control time and costs, and aid enforcement by introducing innovative new arbitration tools and procedures. This ongoing focus makes certain that ICC is always in touch with the concerns and interests of trading partners throughout the world.