The Secretariat, on behalf of the Arbitral Council, having regard to both point 1 of Annex A to the Arbitration Rules and Article 36.3 of the Arbitration Rules, hereby amends its provision issued on 25 March 2020 as follows.
In view of the extraordinary and urgent measures adopted in order to counter and contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, any procedural deadlines, including the time limit to file arbitral awards, as well as any other deadline provided for in the Arbitration Rules, are suspended from 16 March 2020 until 11 May 2020.
Where the deadline starts during this period of suspension, its start shall be postponed until 12 May 2020. With particular reference to arbitral awards, once the suspension is lifted, the remaining time limit for the deposit, if shorter, is extended to 30 days.
All the above is without prejudice to the right of the Arbitral Tribunal and the parties to decide otherwise jointly. Arbitral Tribunals, where constituted, are invited to make any possible effort, in cooperation with the parties and the Secretariat, in order to held hearing by way of video or audio conference, as well as to proceed with those activities that are not in contrast with public order and the parties’ right of defense.
Therefore, the Chamber invites Arbitrators to proceed with their tasks, though within the limits set by the current health emergency, such as deliberating orders and awards.