Terms of Reference

The terms of reference are a characteristic of ICC arbitration and certain other institutional arbitration. Under the ICC arbitration rules, it is prepared by the arbitral tribunal and includes at a minimum: the parties’ and arbitrators’ names and addresses, a summary of the parties’ respective claims, the main rules applicable to the proceedings, the place of arbitration, and, if appropriate, a list of issues to be resolved. It is signed by the parties, unless one of them refuses to sign, in which case it is submitted for approved by the ICC International Court of Arbitration. The main purpose of terms of reference is to define the dispute clearly, such that the parties are not to present new claims beyond the limits of the terms of reference without the authorisation of the arbitrators.

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