NEWSLETTER-2019-metin

133 ARBITRATION LAW ICC Updates Guidance Note to Parties and Arbitral Tribunals* Att. Melissa Balikci The International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) released an up- date to its Note to the Parties and Arbitration Tribunals on the Conduct of the Arbitration under the ICC Rules of Arbitration (“Note”) which is effective as of 1 January 2019, and applies to all ICC arbitrations, regardless of the version of the Rules pursuant to which they are con- ducted. The Note was updated with an intention to enhance transparency in international arbitration and to provide greater efficiency in the conduct of proceedings. The ICC Court President has confirmed that this change is in line with the ICC’s commitment to provide more transparency in their practices, and to increase the efficiency in their arbitrations 1 . Content of the Note The scope of the Note is broad and aims to provide guidance to the parties and arbitration tribunals. The Note starts by providing general information about the ICC Court and its Secretariat and com- munications. The second part includes explanations to the Parties related to the initiation of the proceedings, including information regarding where to submit Requests for Arbitrations, representation, joinder of additional parties, and communication of the reasons of the Court Decisions. * Article of January 2019 1 For the comment made by the ICC Court President Mr. Alexis Mourre, in rela- tion to the update, please see: https://iccwbo.org/media-wall/news-speeches/icc- issues-updated-note-providing-guidance-parties/ (Access date: January 2019).