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Arbitration Rules - CONFIDENTIAL srl.
ARBITRATION AND CONTRACT MEDIATION AGENCY-confidential LLC.
Str. Arh. Hirjeu nr. 10 sector 2. BUCURESTI,  ROMANIA.
  Tel.: 040.21.321-6125  Mobil:  040.724581078 sau 040.744654174
C.U.I : 14886234 ; Nr. Registrul Comertilui : J/9165/18.09.2002
JUSTICE, FOREIGN AFFAIRS, NATIONAL END CIVIL DEFENSE

ARBITRATION RULES – MARITIME
    The powers and duties of the Arbitrator(s) shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with these Rules and Title 9 of the United States Code. Whenever there is more than one Arbitrator, and a difference arises among them concerning the meaning or application of these Rules, the difference shall be resolved by majority vote or by an Umpire (JUDGE), where appropriate.
In all matters not expressly addressed in these Rules, the Arbitrator(s) shall act in the spirit of these Rules and make every effort to ensure that an award is legally enforceable.
All references to Arbitrator(s) are deemed gender neutral. All references to Arbitrator(s) in the singular shall apply to the plural if the Commission has multiple members.
All references to the "Act" are to the United States Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code).
All references to a third Arbitrator or Panel Chairman shall also apply to an Umpire, where applicable.
I. RULES A PART OF THE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
 1. Agreement of Parties
Wherever parties have agreed to arbitration under the Rules of the Arbitration Agency these Rules, including any amendment(s) in force on the date of the agreement to arbitrate shall be binding on the parties and constitute an integral part of that agreement.
Nevertheless, except for those Rules which empower the Arbitrators to administer the arbitration proceedings, the parties may mutually alter or modify these Rules.
Unless stipulated in advance to the contrary, the parties, by consenting to these Rules, agree that the Award issued may be published by  the Arbitration Agency.
The parties agree to consolidate proceedings relating to contract disputes with other parties which involve common questions of fact or law and/or arise in substantial part from the same maritime transactions or series of related transactions, provided all contracts incorporate Arbitration Agency Rules.
Unless all parties agree to a sole Arbitrator, consolidated disputes are to be heard by a maximum of three Arbitrators to be appointed as agreed by all parties or, failing such agreement, as ordered by the Court.
II. TRIBUNALS
 3. Tribunal
The "Commission” is any Tribunal created under the parties' agreement, to resolve disputes by arbitration under these Rules.
 4. Roster of Arbitrators
The Arbitration Agency shall establish and maintain a roster of persons with qualifications to act as Maritime Arbitrators from which Arbitrators may be chosen.
 5. Office of Tribunal
Office of the Commissin - Depending upon the number of Arbitrators, the office of the Panel shall be as follows:
(a) Sole Arbitrator - The home address or place of business of the sole arbitrator.
(b) Two Arbitrators - The home or business address of either of the Arbitrators, as decided by them.
(c) Three Arbitrators - The home or business address of the Arbitrator chosen by the other Panel members to act as Chairman of the Panel.
III. INITIATION OF THE ARBITRATION
 6. The Arbitration Agreement
Any party to an agreement for arbitration under the Agency Rules may initiate an arbitration by giving written notice to the other party of its demand for arbitration and naming its chosen arbitrator.
In its demand for arbitration, the party initiating the process shall set forth the nature of the dispute, the amount of damages involved, if any, and the remedy sought.
The parties shall be free to amend or add to their claims until the proceedings are closed pursuant to the Romanian Civil Code book IV.
 7. Place of arbitration (location)  
The arbitration is to be held in the City of Bucharest Romania at a location chosen by the Commission, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
The parties shall be given sufficient notice to enable them to appear or be represented at the proceedings.
IV. APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATORS
 8. Disqualification
No person shall serve as an Arbitrator who has or who has had a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the arbitration or who has acquired from an interested source detailed prior knowledge of the matter in dispute.
 9. Disqualifying Circumstances Arbitrators disclosure, conflicts.
Prior to the first hearing or initial submissions, all Arbitrators are required to disclose any circumstance which could impair their ability to render an unbiased award based solely upon an objective and impartial consideration of the evidence presented to the Commission.
Such disclosure shall include close personal ties and business relations with any one of:
(a) the parties to the arbitration;
(b) other affiliates or associated companies of the parties;
(c) counsel for the parties;
(d) the other Arbitrators on the Panel.
No Arbitrator shall accept an appointment or sit on a proceeding, where the Arbitrator or the Arbitrator's current employer has a direct or indirect interest in the outcome of the arbitration.
Upon receipt of the disclosure statement(s) from the Arbitrator(s), the parties may accept the Commission or challenge any (or all) of the Arbitrators.
If challenged, the grounds for it shall be made known to the Arbitrator(s), who may withdraw from the Panel and be replaced pursuant to th Rules as appropriate. However, if the challenged Arbitrator(s) consider(s) the challenge to be without merit and declines to withdraw, the arbitration shall proceed with due reservation of the challenger''s right to seek recourse from the appropriate United States District Court after the Award has been issued.
 10. Appointment by Parties
If the arbitration agreement specifies a method by which Arbitrators are to be appointed, that method shall be followed and in the event of a conflict, its terms shall prevail over this section of the Rules.
When requested by a party, the Agency shall submit its current roster of members from which arbitrators may be appointed.
If a party fails to appoint its Arbitrator within the time frame specified in the arbitration agreement, the party demanding arbitration may resort ad-hoc procedures.
If no such time frame is specified, the party demanding the arbitration shall give the other written notice that the appointment of its Arbitrator is made pursuant to Section 10 of these Rules which requires the other to appoint an arbitrator within twenty days of receipt of that notice, failing which the party demanding arbitration may appoint a second Arbitrator with the same force and effect as if that second Arbitrator were appointed by the other party. Any thus chosen second Arbitrator shall be a disinterested person with the same qualifications, if any, required by the arbitration agreement. If the arbitration agreement provides for three Arbitrators, the two so chosen shall appoint the third. Notwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, if the party demanding arbitration seeks to compel the appointment of a second Arbitrator sooner than the stipulated twenty days, it is free to proceed under the Act.
 11. Additional Arbitrators.
If the two party-appointed Arbitrators fail to appoint a third Arbitrator within a reasonable time, any party may petition the Court under the Act to make such an appointment after advising the Arbitrators.
 12. Notice of Appointment  
Arbitrators may be appointed by the parties or their counsel, orally or in writing. If an oral appointment is made, it should be confirmed in writing as soon as practicable. The Chairman shall promptly notify the parties or their counsel, that the Panel is complete and ready to proceed with the arbitration.
 13. Vacancies
If an Arbitrator is unable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled as follows:
(a) If the vacancy is created by a party-appointed Arbitrator, that party shall promptly name a replacement. The previously-selected Chairman will continue to serve in that capacity unless the two party-appointed Arbitrators choose a replacement Chairman before the hearings have commenced or, if the arbitration is conducted on documents alone, before the first submissions or documents are received by the Commission.
(b) If the office of Chairman becomes vacant, the two party-appointed Arbitrators shall appoint a replacement Chairman.
(c) Following the replacement of Arbitrator(s), the arbitration shall resume on the existing record, unless the Commission directs or the parties agree otherwise.
V. PROCEDURE FOR ORAL HEARING
 14. Representation
Any party has the option to be represented in the arbitration proceedings by counsel or any other duly-appointed representative.
 15. Stenographic Record
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a stenographic record of all hearings shall be arranged. The parties shall initially share the cost of the record, subject to final apportionment by the Arbitrator(s).
 16. Interpreters
If required, the party presenting shall furnish and initially pay for an interpreter. The interpreter shall be independent of both parties.
 17. Attendance at Hearings
Persons having a direct interest in the arbitration are entitled to attend hearings. The Panel has the power to compel witnesses to leave the hearing room during the testimony of other witnesses.
 18. Adjournments
The panel may grant adjournments upon a showing of good cause. If all parties jointly request an adjournment, it shall be granted.
 19. Oaths
After the Panel has been accepted by the parties, each Arbitrator shall take the oath set forth in Exibit A hereto. If the arbitration is to be conducted without hearings, the Arbitrator(s) may make the oath in writing.
The Arbitrators shall require witnesses to testify under oath administered by any duly qualified person (see Exibit A). The form of oath may be amended to include an affirmation under penalty of perjury.
 20. Majority Decision
Whenever the Panel consists of more than one Arbitrator, the decision and award of the Arbitrators shall be by majority vote, where appropriate, unless a unanimous decision is required by the arbitration agreement. In cases where the arbitration clause calls for two party-appointed Arbitrators and an Umpire, should the two be unable to agree, they shall appoint an Umpire who shall take into account the reasons for their disagreement and adjudicate the matters in controversy as if he/she were sole Arbitrator.
 21. Order of Proceedings
If hearings are scheduled, the first hearing of the arbitration shall be at the time and place designated by the Chairman. The Chairman shall instruct each party or their counsel to deliver to each member of the Panel a statement identifying the other interested parties so that the Arbitrator(s) may determine whether grounds for voluntary withdrawal exist.
Each claimant should submit a pre-hearing statement of its position and claim.
At the first hearing, each party, or their counsel, may make an opening statement setting forth its position.
The arbitration proceeding shall be conducted in an orderly manner appropriate to judicial proceedings. Rules of evidence used in judicial proceedings need not be applied.
If it is not clear which party is the claimant, the Commission shall make the determination. Arbitrators shall apply burdens of proof and if by majority vote, the Panel concludes that the claimant has not made its case, no further evidence need be taken from the respondent, unless that respondent is asserting a counterclaim.
Copies of any documents, exhibits and accounts intended to be introduced at a particular hearing should be supplied to the other party or opposing counsel and to Commission members at least one week prior to the date of that hearing. Any fact or expert witness intended to testify before the Commission should likewise be identified at least one week in advance of the scheduled hearing date.
Following the presentation of all evidence, the parties may agree to present their arguments in a final oral hearing rather than in written briefs.
 22. Absence of a Party , arbitration procedure
After a default has been established under the provisions of Section 4 of the Act or after the Commission has been completed pursuant to these Rules, the arbitration may proceed in the absence of the defaulting party, who, after due notice, failed to be present or failed to obtain an adjournment.
 23. Evidence
The parties may offer such evidence as they desire and shall produce such additional evidence as the Commission may deem necessary to an understanding and determination of the dispute. The Arbitrator(s) may subpoena witnesses or documents at their own initiative or at the request of any party (see Exibit B).
The Commission shall be the judge of the relevancy and materiality of the evidence offered.
All evidence shall be taken in the presence of the Arbitrator(s) and of all the parties, except in the case of depositions or where any of the parties is absent without reasonable cause, in default, or has waived its right to be present or where submission of evidence by mail or in other form has been agreed by both parties.
The Commission has the power to direct that depositions be taken from witnesses who cannot testify in person.
All evidence submitted to the Commission, as well as all written communications between any party and the said commission, after it has been constituted, shall be submitted to all parties.


 24. Evidence by Affidavit
The Commission may receive evidence by affidavit and shall give such affidavits appropriate weight in light of any objections made by opponents.
 25. Closing of Proceedings
Upon completion of submission of evidence, the parties may submit briefs on an agreed schedule. If the parties cannot agree, the schedule shall be established by the Commission. Once all submissions are completed, the Chairman shall declare the proceedings closed.
 26. Reopening of Proceedings, appeals.
Following the submission of briefs, the Commission may require the parties to provide clarifications concerning their claims or defenses and may order additional hearings for that purpose.
At any time prior to the issuance of an Award, hearings may be reopened on the application of any party provided the Commission agrees that good cause has been shown.

VI. PROCEDURE FOR OTHER THAN ORAL HEARINGS

 27. Arbitration on Documents Alone
The parties, by written agreement, may submit their disputes to arbitration on documents alone. In such case, the Commission members shall make their disclosures in writing to all parties, pursuant to Section 9 and communicate the written oath (see ExibitA attached) to the parties. Thereafter, the parties shall make their submissions of documents and briefs, on such schedule as they agree. If the parties cannot agree, the Commission will establish the schedule.
  
VII. THE AWARD
 28. Time
The Commission has the collective duty to issue awards not later than 120 days after the final evidence or brief has been received and the parties have been notified that the proceedings have been closed. Failure of the Commission to obey by this provision shall not be grounds for challenge of the Award.

 29. Form
The Award and the Arbitrator(s)' reasons for same shall be made in writing and signed either by the sole Arbitrator or Umpire (judge) or by a majority, if more than one, or by all, if unanimous. A partial or total dissent shall be signed by the dissenter and included with the majority Award.
 30. Scope
The Panel, in its Award, shall grant any remedy or relief which it deems just and equitable, including, but not limited to, specific performance. The Panel, in its Award, shall assess arbitration expenses and fees as provided in Sections 15, 36 and 37 and shall address the issue of attorneys' fees and costs incurred by the parties. The Panel is empowered to award reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses or costs incurred by a party or parties in the prosecution or defense of the case.
Any attorneys' fees or party costs awarded shall be quantified in the Award.
The Commission shall retain jurisdiction to modify the Award for the sole purpose of correcting obvious clerical and/or arithmetical errors.
 31. Award upon Settlement
Should the parties settle their dispute during the course of arbitration, the Commission may, upon the request of the parties, set forth the terms of the settlement in an Award.
 32. Delivery of Award to Parties
The parties accept that legal delivery of the Award may be accomplished:
(a) By mailing of the Award or a true copy thereof to the parties at their last known addresses or that of their counsel; or
(b) By personal service of the Award.

VIII. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
 33. Waiver
Any party with knowledge that a provision of these Rules has been breached, but who continues with the arbitration without registering an official objection with the Panel shall be deemed to have waived any right to object.
 34. Time Periods
The parties may modify any period of time by mutual agreement and consent of the Commission. The Commission may extend or shorten any period of time established by the Rules upon a showing of good cause and shall notify the parties accordingly.
 35. Service of Documents
Wherever parties have agreed to arbitration under these Rules, they shall be deemed to have consented to service of any papers, notices or process necessary to initiate or continue an arbitration under these Rules or a court action to confirm judgment on the Award issued. Such documents may be served:
(a) By mail addressed to such party or counsel at their last known address; or
(b) By personal service.
Counsel for either party may be utilized by the Commission to implement subpoenas or other legal procedures instituted by the said Commission. The expenses and fees for such services are to be allocated to The Arbitration Agency.

IX. EXPENSES AND FEES

 36. Expenses
The expenses of witnesses shall be paid by the party producing or requiring the production of such witnesses subject to allocation by the Commission and or the Arbitration Agency in its final Award.
Subject to the final allocation in the Award, expenses incurred at the request of the Agency shall initially be borne equally by the parties. These include required travel and out-of-pocket expenses of the Commission members, the expense of producing witnesses requested by the arbitrators, or the cost of providing any proofs produced at the direct request of the Agency. The Agency may require an advance deposit for any sums it may reasonably have to expend.
The travel and living expenses of a party-appointed Arbitrator from outside the area named for the arbitration shall be borne by the party who appointed such Arbitrator.


 37. Arbitrator(s)' Fees
Each Commission member shall determine the amount of his/her compensation. When determining the fee, the Arbitrator(s) shall take into account the complexity, urgency and time spent on the matter.
At any time prior to issuance of the Award, the Agency may require that the parties post security for its estimated fees and expenses. Upon such request, each party shall promptly deposit the required amount into a segregated interest-bearing escrow account with the Romanian International Bank, administered by the Arbitration Agency (Exibit C). Alternatively, such deposits may be held in any other escrow account or in any other manner, if agreed to by the Arbitrator(s).
If the dispute is settled during the course of the arbitration, a fee commensurate with work already performed in the arbitration is due to the Arbitrator(s).

September 20th. 2002
Agentia de Arbitraj Si Mediare Contractuala – Confidential srl.
Confidential srl – Arbitration and Mediation (all rights reserved)












Exibit “A”
OATHS


These Oaths may be administered by the Recorder, or in the case of a hearing without recorder, by any one person to another, the affiant raising his right hand when being sworn.
1. Oath to be taken by Arbitrator:
"Do you solemnly swear that you will faithfully and fairly hear and examine the matter in controversy and make a just Award, according to the best of your understanding?"
2. Oath to be taken by Witness:
"Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give shall be the whole truth?"
3. Oath to be taken by Interpreter:


"Do you solemnly swear that you will faithfully and fairly translate in a verbatim and objective manner from the _______________ language to the _____________ language or vice versa the oral or written communications you will be called upon to interpret?"
  







Exibit “B”
SUBPOENA

In the Matter of Arbitration
between
and
_____________________________
TO:
(Name)
(Address)
(City and State)
You are Hereby Commanded to appear in an arbitration proceeding to be held at ____________________ on the __________ day of ______________A.D. 20_________ at ________m. of said day and bring with you


then and there to testify in the above entitled Matter, wherein the disputant parties and their addresses are as follows:
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
________________20_______________ _________________________________
_________________________________________
Arbitrator
_________________________________________

Arbitrator
_________________________________________
Chairman, The Agency
_________________________________________
Attorney for ______________________________
_________________________________________
Address
NOTE: Report to Arbitrator(s)
 

GENTIA DE ARBITRAJ SI MEDIERE CONTRACTUALA-confidential srl.
Str. Arh. Hirjeu nr. 10 sector 2. BUCURESTI,  ROMANIA.
  Tel.: 040.21.321-6125  Mobil:  040.724581078 sau 040.744654174
C.U.I : 14886234 ; Nr. Registrul Comertilui : J/9165/18.09.2002
ACTIVITATI DE JUSTITIE, DE AFACERI EXTERNE,  APARARE  NATIONALA
Signiture ……………………………………..





Exibit “C”
ADMINISTRATION OF FUNDS DEPOSITED IN ESCROW  FOR ARBITRATORS FEES AND EXPENSES
1. The Agency shall notify the  parties as to the exact summtobe deposited and forward the instructions .This  must simultaneously be sent to the Arbitrator (s).
2. The amount of security for the Arbitrators' fees shall not necessarily be indicative of the Arbitrators' ultimate fees nor of the allocation of such fees and expenses between or among the parties.
3. The Escrow Agent will maintain an Escrow Management Account with the Romanian International Bank into which all received funds will be deposited. The designated bank will assign each deposit a separate interest-bearing Subsidiary Escrow Account. Any additional or supplementary funds required by the Arbitrators as security for their fees and expenses shall likewise be held in the same Escrow Account.
4. The Escrow Agent shall be responsible for the proper administration of funds in its care.
5. The Escrow Agent will confirm when the designated bank has received the funds.
6. Unless sooner directed to the contrary by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Escrow Agent will disburse funds on deposit not earlier than 30 days from receipt of written instructions from the Arbitration Agency.
7. Concurrent with the payments described above, the Escrow Agent will prepare an "Escrow Distribution Statement" to the parties, counsel and the arbitrators, showing actual sums received, sums disbursed and interest accrued. Any balance due to the depositors will be remitted with this statement and the account closed.
8. In the event the Escrow Agent receives written advice prior to the disbursement of funds, and with proof of a court filing, that conflicting claims exist to the funds on deposit, the Escrow Agent will have the right to file an interpleader action.
9. Deposit of the security with the Escrow Agent shall be in accordance with these terms.
10. These terms may only be amended by written agreement of the Arbitrators, the parties and/or their counsel

Confidential srl – Arbitration and Mediation Agency.
2002/ All rights reserved

 

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