Procedure, adjudication and enforcement

Six-Week Process & Enforceability

A practical overview of how an expedited A-Resolve arbitration can move from tribunal constitution to a reasoned award, and what “final, binding and enforceable” means in practice.

Before the six-week timetable begins: a claim is filed, the arbitration agreement and submission are reviewed, the respondent is notified, and the Tribunal is constituted. Under Article 17, the six-week period runs from constitution of the Tribunal. It is a best-efforts expedited timetable, not an unconditional guarantee.
Indicative timeline

From constitution of the Tribunal to final award

Week 1

Directions and claim

The Tribunal confirms the procedural timetable. The claimant submits its statement of claim and principal evidence, subject to the Tribunal's directions.

Week 2

Defence and objections

The respondent files its defence, available evidence, any jurisdictional objection and any permitted counterclaim.

Week 3

Focused evidence

The Tribunal identifies the issues, manages targeted document production and determines whether specialist technical assistance is required.

Week 4

Hearing, if required

The matter may proceed on documents alone or through a focused virtual hearing. An in-person hearing is exceptional.

Week 5

Closing and deliberation

The evidentiary record closes, the parties make any directed closing submissions, and the Tribunal deliberates.

Week 6

Reasoned award

The Tribunal uses best efforts to issue a written, final and binding award stating the date and legal seat of arbitration.

The Tribunal may extend the timetable where complexity, jurisdictional objections, substantial technical evidence, multiple parties, settlement discussions or procedural fairness require more time.

Procedural FAQ

Must both parties agree to A-Resolve arbitration?

Yes. Jurisdiction requires a written arbitration agreement made before the dispute, or a post-dispute submission agreement. Filing a claim by itself does not bind a respondent who has not agreed in writing.

Is the six-week timetable guaranteed?

No. The Rules require the Tribunal and Platform to use best efforts to issue the award within six weeks from constitution of the Tribunal. The Tribunal may extend the timetable where fairness or the circumstances of the dispute require it.

What happens if the respondent does not participate?

A failure to submit the initial response does not automatically prevent the arbitration from proceeding. The Tribunal must nevertheless be satisfied as to jurisdiction, effective notice and procedural fairness before determining the dispute.

Will there always be a hearing?

No. The Tribunal may decide a suitable case on documents alone, hold a focused virtual hearing, or adopt another proportionate procedure. An in-person hearing is contemplated only in exceptional circumstances.

How are documents and communications handled?

The process is primarily online through the case dashboard, with controlled access, secure document exchange, written submissions, procedural directions and scheduling tools.

Adjudicatory FAQ

Who decides jurisdiction?

The Tribunal may determine its own jurisdiction, including objections concerning the existence, validity, scope or applicability of the arbitration agreement.

Is there one arbitrator or a three-member tribunal?

The default is a sole arbitrator unless the parties agree otherwise. A three-member tribunal may be used where agreed, where the amount in dispute exceeds the threshold stated in the Rules, or where unusual complexity makes it appropriate.

How is impartiality protected?

Arbitrators must be independent and impartial. The Rules provide a disclosure and challenge process where circumstances give rise to justifiable doubts.

Can the Tribunal understand complex technical evidence?

The Tribunal may manage technical evidence proportionately and may appoint experts or obtain technical assistance in accordance with the Rules. Parties may also present relevant expert evidence subject to procedural directions.

Which law and legal seat apply?

The parties may choose the seat and governing law in their arbitration clause or submission agreement. Failing agreement, the Rules provide Geneva, Switzerland as the default seat and authorize the Tribunal to determine the applicable law or rules of law as appropriate.

Enforceability FAQ

Is the award final and binding?

Under the Rules, the award is final and binding on the parties. A limited correction or interpretation mechanism is available under Article 20.

Can an A-Resolve award be enforced internationally?

Awards are intended to be capable of recognition and enforcement under applicable arbitration law and, where relevant, the 1958 New York Convention. Recognition and enforcement remain subject to the law of the enforcing court and the defenses available there.

Is enforcement guaranteed in every country?

No. No arbitral institution can guarantee enforcement in every jurisdiction or factual circumstance. Enforceability can depend on a valid arbitration agreement, proper notice, due process, the legal seat, the form of the award, public policy and local law.

Why does the legal seat matter if the process is online?

The seat connects the arbitration to a national arbitration law and a supervisory court. It can affect procedural questions, challenges to the award and the enforcement analysis, even when every hearing and filing occurs online.

Can a court still become involved?

Yes. Courts may be asked to grant interim relief, supervise matters permitted by the law of the seat, or recognize and enforce an award. Court involvement does not by itself replace the Tribunal's authority over the merits.

Does mediation produce an enforceable arbitral award?

Not by itself. A successful mediation ordinarily produces a settlement agreement. Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, the parties may document settlement in a form intended to facilitate enforcement, including where the Singapore Convention on Mediation applies.

Information, not legal advice: This page summarizes the A-Resolve Rules. The Rules, the parties' arbitration agreement, the law of the seat and mandatory applicable law govern each proceeding.