EMERGENCY AND EXPEDITED ARBITRATION - AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PROCEDURES OFFERED BY MAJOR ARBITRAL INSTITUTIONS By John Gilbert (London) In recent years, the options available for emergency or expedited arbitration in major institutions’ rules have increased significantly. Demonstrating the ability to move quickly when necessary has been one of the characteristics which institutions have been eager to offer. The institutions have taken different approaches to this. Consequently, understanding what is available may assist in choosing which form of arbitration to include in an arbitration agreement, particularly when it is anticipated that a speedy resolution may be required. Options include procedures for expedited arbitration, the expedited formation of the Tribunal and the appointment of an emergency arbitrator to deal with applications for interim measures. In this article, approaches adopted under the current rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) are considered with the aim of highlighting the options offered by each. These are, of course, all forms of institutional arbitration. It is possible 46 | K&L Gates: ARBITRATION WORLD to put in place arrangements in ad hoc (non-administered) arbitrations for proceedings to progress on an expedited basis. These require careful drafting to give them the best chance of being effective. EMERGENCY ARBITRATOR The most widely used approach within institutional rules of arbitration for providing urgent interim relief is the appointment of an emergency arbitrator. Emergency arbitrators may now be appointed under each of the ICC, ICDR, LCIA, SCC and SIAC rules. These provisions supplement the ability to seek emergency relief through the national courts. The precise rules regarding emergency arbitrators vary between the institutions. However, behind these differences the fundamental approach is the same. In each case, the rules provide that an application (with notice to the other