The ICC International Court of Arbitration has released a Guidance Note outlining a range of measures to help mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on arbitral proceedings.

The Guidance Note provides support to parties, counsel and arbitral tribunals in ICC Arbitrations on the challenges currently faced in ensuring fair, timely and efficient resolution of disputes. It was prepared by a working group comprising Vice-President of the ICC Court Marnix Leijten (Working Group Chair), ICC Court President Alexis Mourre and other Vice-Presidents, members of the ICC Governing Body for Dispute Resolution Services and the Secretariat of the ICC Court.  

The Guidance Note highlights factors relevant in assessing ways to mitigate COVID-19- related delays in the context of the ICC Arbitration Rules, including guidance on the possibility to organise virtual hearings. Two annexes of the Note provide a checklist for a protocol on virtual hearings and suggested clauses for cyber-protocols and procedural orders dealing with their organisation. To the extent relevant, it may serve in the context of other ICC ADR proceedings as well.  

The full Guidance Note is available to view and download here.