ACICA Tribunal Secretary Panel

Recognising the widespread use of tribunal secretaries and the useful role that tribunal secretaries can play in ensuring the efficacy of arbitral proceedings, ACICA maintains a Tribunal Secretary Panel as a resource for tribunals and parties undertaking arbitration in Australia and the region.

Applications for Tribunal Secretary Panel

ACICA accepts applications for appointment to its Panel of Tribunal Secretaries on a rolling basis. The term of appointment is three (3) years, after which time panel members must re-apply.

Selection criteria

Applicants seeking inclusion on the ACICA Panel of Tribunal Secretaries should be able to meet the following criteria:

  1. Three years’ post-qualified experience* including experience in at least one arbitration; and
  2. Relevant qualifications to act as Tribunal Secretary either by: 
    1. Completion of the ACICA Tribunal Secretaries’ Course or recognised equivalent, including successful completion of any course assessments or examinations, and support from a professional referee; or
    2. Demonstrated experience as a Tribunal Secretary with a minimum six months’ experience working as a Tribunal Secretary with an arbitrator. Professional reference(s) from relevant arbitrator(s) attesting to the applicant’s experience as a Tribunal Secretary must be provided; and
  3. Be of good standing in the legal community** and have the moral standing expected of a Tribunal Secretary.

*For non-legally qualified applicants, three years demonstrated experience in their relevant field, including experience in at least one arbitration.

** For non-legally qualified applicants, be of good standing in their relevant professional community.

Application process

Applicants wishing to be considered for appointment should send a completed application form and the following documents to secretariat@acica.org.au:

  1. Current CV (applicants should note, this will be the CV publicly used on ACICA’s website in its Tribunal Secretary panel listing), and either:
  2. Proof of their Tribunal Secretary qualifications by either: 
    1. an accreditation certificate and assessment/examination results from a recognised Tribunal Secretary training course and an accompanying ACICA Tribunal Secretary Referee Form or,
    2. evidence demonstrating six months’ experience working as Tribunal Secretary with an arbitrator (including provision of a brief description of duties) and accompanying written reference(s) from an arbitrator(s).

ACICA will approve applications in its sole discretion and is not in a position to provide feedback to applicants. Appointments will be made quarterly and applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Renewal application process

Upon expiry of the three year term of appointment, Panel members may renew their listing by completing the Tribunal Secretary Panel listing renewal application form and returning it to the Secretariat (secretariat@acica.org.au), together with a current CV.

ACICA will approve renewal applications in its sole discretion and is not in a position to provide feedback to renewal applications. Renewals will be made quarterly and renewal applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Secretary Appointments

ACICA publishes a listing of tribunal secretary panel members on its website along with contact details. Tribunals and parties should make their own arrangements with potential secretaries concerning their appointment. ACICA assumes no liability for the performance of tribunal secretaries, which will be the responsibility of the tribunal. It should be recognised that those on the panel will have varying levels of experience acting as tribunal secretaries. ACICA highly recommends that parties and tribunals seeking appointments discuss their requirements with potential tribunal secretaries in advance of an appointment to ensure that an appropriate appointment is made for the matter.