Sign In English Español Français HOME ABOUT SERVICES PROCESS CASES ARBITRATORS ICSID DOCUMENTS RESOURCES Home Process How to file an Application for Access and Request - Additional Facility Arbitration How to file an Application for Access and Request - Additional Facility Arbitration ICSID Counsel Marisa Planells-Valero and Hearings & Events Assistant Diana Magalona Washington, D.C. There are two steps necessary to commence arbitration under the Additional Facility. A party must: (i) request and obtain the Secretary-General’s approval of an agreement to access the Additional Facility (Application for Access); and (ii) submit a request for arbitration to the Secretary-General (the Request for Arbitration). A party can take these two steps at the same time, in one document, or in separate phases. The conditions for access to the Additional Facility are contained in Article 2 and Article 4 of the rules governing the administration of proceedings under the Additional Facility by the ICSID Secretariat (Additional Facility Rules). Formal Requirements, Information and Documentation The Application for Access to the Additional Facility must comply with Article 4 of the Additional Facility Rules. The Application for Access must be: written in one of the official languages of the Centre (English, French or Spanish) (Administrative and Financial Regulation 34); dated; and signed by the requesting party or its duly authorized representative. If the request is signed by a representative, it must enclose proof of the authorization, e.g., a power of attorney or a letter of engagement. The Application for Access must include: Name and contact details of all parties (including mailing address, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail if available). A copy of an agreement concluded or proposed to be concluded providing for consent to arbitration proceedings under the Additional Facility in respect of existing or future disputes. A provision in such agreement that contemplates a legal dispute between a State (or a constituent subdivision or agency of a State) and a national of another State, which is not within the jurisdiction of the Centre under the ICSID Convention. The Rules contemplate two different scenarios: Article 2(a) of the Additional Facility Rules: the dispute arises directly out of an investment, but either the State party to the dispute or the State whose national is a party to the dispute is not an ICSID Member State. In this case, both parties must give their consent to the jurisdiction of the Centre under Article 25 of the ICSID Convention if the jurisdictional requirements rationae personae of that Article have been met at the time proceedings are instituted (Article 2(a) and Article 4(2) of the Additional Facility Rules); or Article 2(b) of the Additional Facility Rules: the dispute does not arise directly out of an investment, provided that either the State party to the dispute or the State whose national is a party to the dispute is an ICSID Member State. In this case, the underlying transaction must have features which distinguish it from an ordinary commercial transaction (Article 2(b) and Article 4(3) of the Additional Facility Rules). The Request for Arbitration Once the Application for Access has been approved, a party may commence arbitration under the Additional Facility by submitting a Request for Arbitration to the Secretary-General. Alternatively, the Request for Arbitration can be submitted concurrently with an Application for Access in respect of an existing dispute. The process for filing the request is governed by Articles 2 and 3 of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules and the Administrative and Financial Regulations (Regulation 16, Regulation 30 and Regulation 34(1)). Formal Requirements, Information and Documentation The request for arbitration must comply with Articles 2 and 3 of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules. The request must be: written in one of the official languages of the Centre (English, French or Spanish) (Administrative and Financial Regulation 34); dated; and signed by the requesting party or its duly authorized representative. If the request is signed by a representative, it must enclose proof of the authorization, e.g., a power of attorney or a letter of engagement. The request must include: Name and contact details of all parties (including mailing address, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail if available). The relevant provisions of the instruments recording the parties’ consent to refer the dispute to arbitration. Date of approval of access by the Secretary-General. If the consent is in a contract, the request must enclose a copy of the signed contract and its effective date. If the consent is in a treaty or law, the request must enclose copies of such instruments and evidence of their entry into force (e.g., an extract of the domestic law showing the date). Information concerning the issues in dispute and an indication of the amount involved, if any. If the requesting party is a juridical person, a statement that it has taken all necessary internal actions to authorize the request. The statement must be supported by evidence, e.g., a resolution of the board of directors. Optional Information: The request may include any agreement or proposal by the parties regarding the number of arbitrators and the method of their appointment, and any other agreements concerning the settlement of the dispute (Article 3(2) of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules). Number of Copies and Supporting Documents: ICSID requires one original and five hard copies of the request (including all annexes (Article 3(3) of the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules). The request should be filed with the same number of electronic storage devices containing copies of the request and its annexes. Documents which are submitted with the request and which are not in English, French or Spanish must be accompanied by a certified translation into one of these languages. If the document is lengthy and relevant only in part, it is sufficient if only the relevant parts, which must be precisely identified, are translated. Such extract should be supported by a statement that the omission of the remainder of the text does not render the portion presented misleading (Administrative and Financial Regulation 30). Lodging Fee: A non-refundable fee, US$25,000 under the current Schedule of Fees, must be paid on or before lodging the request. The fee is payable by the party filing the request or by both parties if the request is made jointly. The fee should be paid by wire transfer. Wire transfer instructions may be obtained by contacting the ICSID Secretariat. A copy of the wire transfer order should be filed with the request. Where to Send: Please submit the request in hard copy and electronically to the following addresses. Hard Copy (by courier): Secretary-General of ICSID 1818 H Street, N.W. MSN J2-200 Washington, D.C. 20433 U.S.A. Phone No. (202) 458-1534 Fax No. (202) 522-2615 Hard Copy (by local messenger): 701 18 Street, N.W. (known within the World Bank as the J Building) 2nd Floor Washington, D.C. 20006 U.S.A. Pre-arranged deliveries may be made between 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Upon arrival, please call an ICSID staff member or ICSID’s general number ((202) 458-1534) in order for ICSID staff to accept delivery. Electronic copy: ICSIDSecretariat@worldbank.org User Agreement | Privacy Agreement ©2018 International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us Follow Us