Important Information for ACICA Users — COVID-19 Update
This alert outlines some changes to our work practices that have been taken in response to the present situation with regard to COVID-19 in Australia. Since 19 March 2020, ACICA has transitioned to working remotely. This transition has been made to support the health and well-being of our people and the community around us, while at the same time ensuring we continue to provide an uninterrupted service.
Staff are working to our usual opening hours and you are able to reach us by email and telephone. We recommend that parties check the ACICA website regularly for updated information with regard to the administration of cases during this time. ACICA has developed an information sheet — Managing the Impact of COVID-19: Use of Arbitration to Mitigate Risk — outlining the benefits that arbitration offers to parties in dispute and the particular application of those benefits in the time of COVID-19. With links to publicly available ACICA resources, we hope this document will provide guidance to parties and counsel.
The Australian Disputes Centre (ADC) is now available for physical room bookings and is offering a virtual room hire service. Should you require this service, please do not hesitate to contact the ADC on info@disputescentre.com.au. We encourage all arbitrators and parties to consider the use of video-conferencing and online facilities wherever possible. ACICA has released a Guidance Note for Online Arbitration to provide parties with guidance in relation to the matters that should be addressed in advance of an arbitration being conducted on an online platform.
New filings under the ACICA Arbitration Rules, ACICA Expedited Arbitration Rules or ACICA Mediation Rules during office closure
Parties are encouraged to contact ACICA by email (or by telephone if necessary) in advance of any new arbitration or mediation filing to address any questions in relation to notification and payment requirements during the office closure. Email correspondence should be directed to the ACICA Secretariat at secretariat@acica.org.au. Calls to the office line are being appropriately diverted so that you can reach us by telephone if required urgently.
ACICA requests that all new filings from 19 March 2020 until staff return to the office, be made through the ACICA E‑Filing system (which allows payment directly by credit card) or by email to the ACICA Secretariat (secretariat@acica.org.au). Please note that hard copies will be required to be provided to ACICA once the office re-opens. ACICA is providing a 25% discount on registration fees for cases commenced from 1 May 2020 to 31 October 2020 to assist parties through this difficult time.
Parties should review the requirements of Article 4 of the ACICA Arbitration Rules and ACICA Expedited Arbitration Rules and ACICA encourages parties to take steps to agree in writing with their counter-parties that notification and delivery by electronic means is authorised in order to avoid any potential delay to the commencement of an arbitration. Such authorisation should be provided to ACICA in accordance with Article 4.
Filings submitted by email
If filing is made by email, parties are requested to make payment of case registration fees by electronic bank transfer to:
Account Name: ACICA
BSB: 082–080 Account No: 68 321 8390
SWIFT/BIC Code: NATAAU3303M
Reference: Company name
Parties wishing to pay the registration fee by credit card may do so by submitting a credit card authorisation form to the ACICA Secretariat prior to or with the provision of a Notice of Arbitration or Request for Mediation. Parties must note that there may be a delay of up to two business days in the processing of credit card payments which may result in a delay to the commencement of the arbitration or mediation.
Cheque payments will not be able to be processed while the office is closed and we apologise for any inconvenience caused in this regard.
We thank you in advance for your understanding, cooperation and support while we navigate this difficult situation.