ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Republic Act No. 9285
AN ACT TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THE USE OF AN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND TO
ESTABLISH THE OFFICE FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
STRATE POLICY Q: What is the policy of the State in ADR?
A: It is hereby declared the policy of the State to actively promote party autonomy in the resolution of disputes or the freedom of the party to make their own arrangements to resolve their disputes. Towards this end, the State shall encourage and actively promote the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as an important means to achieve speedy and impartial justice and declog court dockets. Q: What is the Constitutional basis of ADR?
A:
ARTICLE XIII LABOR
Section 3. XXX The State shall promote the principle of shared responsibility between workers and employers and the preferential use of voluntary modes in settling disputes, including conciliation, and shall enforce their mutual compliance therewith to foster industrial peace.
NOTE: The employers and employees are encouraged to go ADR under the Constitution for the purpose of obtaining industrial peace.
Q: What is the legal basis of ADR? Give the Civil Code provision.
A:
Art. 1306. The contracting parties may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided they are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy. (1255a)
Q: What if the parties into a contract stipulating therein that in the event of dispute arising from the same contract, they are going to refer the case to the RTC of Manila. Are they proper subjects of ADR?
A: No. The dispute to be covered by the ADR must be resolved by an impartial third party who is neither a judge nor an agent of the government. If it is the court that resolves the dispute, such resolution is excluded in the ADR.
Q: A and B entered into an agreement that in the event of dispute, they will resolve the controversy through arbitration. There was a breach of contract. Suppose the parties invoked their agreement, what will the court do? A:
1. The Court shall suspend the proceedings
2. The court shall direct the parties to go to ADR on the basis of their contract or agreement
3. After the proceedings in the ADR and after rendering of award, the arbitrator shall not refer the award to the court for the parties to comply
Q: What is the nature of proceedings under ADR? A: All proceedings under special proceedings.
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPTS Q: What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
A: It means any process or procedure used to resolve a dispute or controversy, other than by adjudication of a presiding judge of a court or an officer of a government agency in which a neutral third party participates to assist in the resolution of issues, which includes arbitration, mediation, conciliation, early neutral evaluation, mini-trial, or any combination thereof.
A: It means institutions or persons accredited as mediator, conciliator, arbitrator, neutral evaluator, or any person exercising similar functions in any Alternative Dispute Resolution system.
NOTE: The parties are given the right to chose non-accredited individuals to act as mediator, conciliator, arbitrator, or neutral evaluator of their dispute.
Q: Who is an ADR Practitioner?
A: It shall refer to individuals acting as mediator, conciliator, arbitrator or neutral evaluator.
Q: In what ways, ADR is implemented? A:
1. Arbitration
2. Mediation or conciliation 3. Mini-trial
4. Early Neutral Evaluation Q: What is arbitration?
A: Arbitration means a voluntary dispute resolution process in which one or more arbitrators, appointed in accordance with the agreement of the parties, or rules promulgated pursuant to ADR Act of 2004, resolve a dispute by rendering an award.
Q: Who determines/chooses the particular way to be utilized in resolving a dispute through the ADR?
A: The parties can implement the kind of dispute resolution that they would like to avail of.
Q: Who is an arbitrator?
A: Arbitrator means the person appointed to render an award, alone or with others, in a dispute that is the subject of an arbitration agreement.
Q: What is an award?
A: It means any partial or final decision by an arbitrator in resolving the issue in a controversy.
Q: When is arbitration considered as commercial?
A: An arbitration is "commercial” if it covers matter arising from all relationships of a commercial nature, whether contractual or not.
Q: Give the rule as regards the confidentiality of information with regard to arbitration or mediation.
A: Any information, relative to the subject of mediation or arbitration, expressly intended by the source not to be disclosed, or obtained under circumstances that would create a reasonable expectation on behalf of the source that the information shall not be disclosed.
Q: What is included in the phrase “confidential information?”
A: It shall include:
(1) communication, oral or written, made in a dispute resolution proceedings, including any memoranda, notes or work product of the neutral party or non-party participant;
(2) an oral or written statement made or which occurs during mediation or for purposes of considering, conducting, participating, initiating, continuing of reconvening mediation or retaining a mediator; and (3) Pleadings, motions manifestations, witness
statements, reports filed or submitted in an arbitration or for expert evaluation.
Q: What is Court-Annexed Mediation?
A: It means any mediation process conducted under the auspices of the court, after such court has acquired jurisdiction of the dispute.
Q: What are the purposes of a court-annexed mediation? A:
1. To unclog the docket of the court 2. To shorten the proceedings
3. To help in the evaluation of elements 4. To bring the parties into a settlement
Illustration:
Q: There is a court proceeding between A and B with regard the accounting claim of A to B. Can the court direct the parties to go to ADR in order to determine whether or not the particular amount being claimed by A is correct?
A: In such case, the court may refer the parties. Since the court will have to determine the actual amount which the parties owe to each other, the court can direct the parties to go to mediation to an annex court. The judge in such case will be the judge of an annex court who is not the same judge with whom the case was first filed. The 2 courts in such case belongs to the same category or equal level.
Q: What is Court-Referred Mediation?
A: It means mediation ordered by a court to be conducted in accordance with the Agreement of the Parties when as
action is prematurely commenced in violation of such agreement.
Q: What is Early Neutral Evaluation?
A: It means an ADR process wherein parties and their lawyers are brought together in an early in a pre-trial phase to present summaries of their cases and receive a nonbinding assessment by an experienced, neutral person, with expertise in the subject in the substance of the dispute.
Q: What is Mediation?
A: It means a voluntary process in which a mediator, selected by the disputing parties, facilitates communication and negotiation, and assist the parties in reaching a voluntary agreement regarding a dispute.
Q: Who is a Mediator?
A: It means a person who conducts mediation. Q: What is Mini-Trial?
A: It means a structured dispute resolution method in which the merits of a case are argued before a panel comprising senior decision makers with or without the presence of a neutral third person after which the parties seek a negotiated settlement.
Q: What is the difference between mini-trial and early neutral evaluation?
A:
MINI-TRIAL EARLY NEUTRAL
EVALUATION There is a decision and from
that decision the parties are compelled to go a mediated agreement. It will result in the termination of the mediation, hence, binding.
The resolution is merely an advice; the parties may take such resolution or not, hence, not binding
Q: Who is a non-party participant?
A: It means a person other than a party or mediator, who participates in a mediation proceeding as a witness, resource person or expert.
EXCEPTION TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ADR LAW Q: What are the cases not covered by ADR?
A: The following cases are not covered by ADR?
A:
(a) labor disputes covered by Presidential Decree No. 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended and its Implementing Rules and Regulations;
(b) the civil status of persons; (c) the validity of a marriage; (d) any ground for legal separation; (e) the jurisdiction of courts; (f) future legitime;
(g) criminal liability; and
(h) those which by law cannot be compromised. (i) Adoption (added by Atty. Palacios)
MEDIATION
CONDIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION
Information obtained through mediation shall be privileged and confidential. A party, a mediator, or a nonparty participant may refuse to disclose and may prevent any other person from disclosing a mediation communication.
GENERAL RULE (Section 9)
Information obtained through mediation proceedings shall be subject to the following principles and guidelines:
(a) Information obtained through mediation shall be privileged and confidential.
(b) A party, a mediator, or a nonparty participant may refuse to disclose and may prevent any other person from disclosing a mediation communication.
Q: May the modes of discovery under the rules of court be availed of to obtain information disclosed in mediation proceedings?
A:
(c) Confidential Information shall not be subject to discovery and shall be inadmissible if any adversarial proceeding, whether judicial or quasi-judicial, However, evidence or information that is otherwise admissible or subject to discovery does not become inadmissible or protected from discovery solely by reason of its use in a mediation. Q: Who are the parties covered by the confidentiality rule? A:
(d) In such an adversarial proceeding, the following persons involved or previously involved in a
mediation may not be compelled to disclose confidential information obtained during mediation: (1) the parties to the dispute;
(2) the mediator or mediators; (3) the counsel for the parties; (4) the nonparty participants;
(5) any persons hired or engaged in connection with the mediation as secretary, stenographer, clerk or assistant; and
(6) any other person who obtains or possesses confidential information by reason of his/her profession.
Q: There is an on-going mediation proceedings, as a consequence of that proceedings, a party filed a case in court which involve the same issue, same parties that is the subject of mediation. Then the parties subpoenaed the mediator as a witness to testify about the mediation proceedings, can the mediator testify?
A: No
Q: Can the mediator voluntarily testify?
A: No, because such situation will violate the rules on confidentiality
Q: Can this privilege arising from the confidentiality of information in mediation proceedings be waived?
A: Yes. A privilege arising from the confidentiality of information may be waived in a record, or orally during a proceeding by the mediator and the mediation parties. A privilege arising from the confidentiality of information may likewise be waived by a nonparty participant if the information is provided by such nonparty participant.
Q: What is the consequence of disclosure of such confidential information by the parties covered by the rule? A: A person who discloses confidential information shall be precluded from asserting the privilege to bar disclosure of the rest of the information necessary to a complete understanding of the previously disclosed information. If a person suffers loss or damages in a judicial proceeding against the person who made the disclosure.
A person who discloses or makes a representation about a mediation is precluded from asserting the privilege to the extent that the communication prejudices another person in the proceeding and it is necessary for the person prejudiced to respond to the representation of disclosure.
Q: The rule is that if a party has been prejudiced in that situation, the recourse will be an objection as to the
presentation of evidence that is privileged. Suppose the court did not sustain the objection, and allow the mediator to continue his testimony, what will be the aggrieved party’s recourse?
A: The court may allow the party the right to respond and repudiate whatever testimony that was given by the mediator (right to rebut or counter-testimony). He may also file an action for damages.
EXCEPTIONS
(a) There is no privilege against disclosure under Section 9 if mediation communication is:
a. in an agreement evidenced by a record authenticated by all parties to the agreement; b. available to the public or that is made during a
session of a mediation which is open, or is required by law to be open, to the public; c. a threat or statement of a plan to inflict bodily
injury or commit a crime of violence;
d. internationally used to plan a crime, attempt to commit, or commit a crime, or conceal an ongoing crime or criminal activity;
e. sought or offered to prove or disprove abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation in a proceeding in which a public agency is protecting the interest of an individual protected by law;
XPN to the XPN: This exception does not apply where a child protection matter is referred to mediation by a court or a public agency participates in the child protection mediation; f. sought or offered to prove or disprove a claim or
complaint of professional misconduct or malpractice filed against mediator in a proceeding; or
g. sought or offered to prove or disprove a claim of complaint of professional misconduct of malpractice filed against a party, nonparty participant, or representative of a party based on conduct occurring during a mediation. (b) There is no privilege if a court or administrative agency,
finds, after a hearing in camera, that the party seeking discovery of the proponent of the evidence has shown that the evidence is not otherwise available, that there is a need for the evidence that substantially outweighs the interest in protecting confidentiality, and the mediation communication is sought or offered in:
a. a court proceeding involving a crime or felony; or
b. a proceeding to prove a claim or defense that under the law is sufficient to reform or avoid a liability on a contract arising out of the mediation.
NOTE: A mediator may not be compelled to provide evidence of a mediation communication or testify in such proceeding.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Mediator's Disclosure and Conflict of Interest Q: What is the obligation of the Mediator before accepting a mediation?
A: Before accepting a mediation, an individual who is requested to serve as a mediator shall:
1) make an inquiry that is reasonable under the circumstances to determinate whether there are any known facts that a reasonable individual would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the mediator, including a financial or personal interest in
the outcome of the mediation and any existing or past relationship with a party or foreseeable participant in the mediation; and
2) disclosure to the mediation parties any such fact known or learned as soon as is practical before accepting a mediation.
Q: Can the mediator be asked to disclose his/her qualifications?
A: Yes. At the request of a mediation party, an individual who is requested to serve as mediator shall disclose his/her qualifications to mediate a dispute.
Q: Suppose that the proposed mediator did not disclose any of the matters that he is supposed to disclose, and as a consequence of that, he was appointed as a mediator, immediately the parties knew such failure to disclose in the middle of the mediation proceedings, what can the party do?
A: The party can remove the mediator and substitute another one. Failure of the party to remove the mediator means there is a waiver.
Q: Can the parties ask the mediator to establish his qualification?
A: At the request of a mediation party, an individual who is requested to serve as mediator shall disclose his/her qualifications to mediate a dispute.
Q: Who should determine the qualifications of the mediator?
A: The parties on their agreement.
NOTE: The law does not require that a mediator shall have special qualifications by background or profession unless the special qualifications of a mediator are required in the mediation agreement or by the mediation parties.
PARTICIPATION OF A LAWYER IN MEDIATION Q: May a party ask the assistance of a lawyer in mediation proceedings?
A: Yes. A party may designate a lawyer or any other person to provide assistance in the mediation.
Q: May a party be legally represented by a foreign lawyer in mediation proceedings?
A: (Please refer to International Commercial Arbitration regarding legal representation by a party)
PLACE OF MEDIATION Q: Where should the Mediation be held?
A: The parties are free to agree on the place of mediation. Failing such agreement, the place of mediation shall be any place convenient and appropriate to all parties.
ENFORCEMENT OF MEDIATED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Q: How is a mediated settlement agreement prepared? A: A settlement agreement following successful mediation shall be prepared by the parties with the assistance of their respective counsel, if any, and by the mediator.
Q: Who are required to sign the agreement?
A: The parties and their respective counsels, if any, shall sign the settlement agreement. The mediator shall certify that he/she explained the contents of the settlement agreement to the parties in a language known to them.
Deposit of the Settlement Agreement Q: Where should the settlement be deposited?
A: If the parties so desire, they may deposit such settlement agreement with the appropriate Clerk of a Regional Trial Court of the place where one of the parties resides.
A: Where there is a need to enforce the settlement agreement, a petition may be filed by any of the parties with the same court, in which case, the court shall proceed summarily to hear the petition, in accordance with such rules of procedure as may be promulgated by the Supreme Court.
Settlement agreement to be treated as an arbitral award and the mediator acting as arbitrator
Q: Can the settlement agreement be treated as an arbitral award? How?
A: The parties may agree in the settlement agreement that the mediator shall become a sole arbitrator for the dispute and shall treat the settlement agreement as an arbitral award which shall be subject to enforcement under Republic Act No. 876, otherwise known as the Arbitration Law.
ARBITRATION Q: What are the elements of arbitration? A: The elements or arbitration are:
a. The parties have mutually agreed to submit their dispute to selected persons whose determination is to be accepted as a substitute for the judgment of a court;
b. There is an actual dispute or matter in controversy; and
c. The dispute or matter in controversy is capable of being referred to arbitration.
Q: How may the consent of the parties to arbitrate their dispute be expressed?
A: The parties may SUBMIT to arbitration any controversy existing between them at the time of the submission and which may be the subject of an action.
Also, the parties to any contract may in such CONTRACT agree to settle by arbitration a controversy thereafter arising between them.
Q: Distinguish an arbitrator from a mediator.
A: An arbitrator acts as an out of court judge and settles disputes extra-judicially. A mediator does not render an award but only arranges the facts to be negotiated so parties can come to a compromise agreement.
Q: Distinguish arbitration from mediation. A:
MEDIATION ARBITRATION
As to function Does not render an award
but only arranges the facts to be negotiated so that the parties can come to a compromise agreement. He assists the parties in
reaching a mutually
agreeable settlement of their dispute through direct negotiations.
The arbitrator acts as an out-of-court judge and settles the dispute extra-judicially. He makes a determination of the facts to resolve a dispute independently of the actual result desired by the parties.
As to resolution There is only mediation
settlement. As a rule a
mediator cannot make an award but the mediation settlement can be an award provided that it is reduced into writing signed by the parties and their counsel and the mediator.
Failure to comply with such mediation settlement will give the right to the parties to go to court for the
enforcement of that
mediation settlement.
There is an arbitral award
Appointment of ADR Practitioners
Appointed by the court Appointed by the parties if there is an agreement that only one arbitrator shall settle their dispute.
But in case where the parties agrees to appoint each arbitrator of their own choice, then the 2 appointed arbitrator will appoint a 3rd arbitrator
As to number of ADR practitioners
Only 1 1-3 arbitrators
As to intervention of court There is no need for
confirmation of court
There is a need for the court to confirm the arbitral award
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION Adoption of the Model Law on International Commercial
Arbitration
Q: What is the governing law with regard to International Commercial Arbitration?
A: International commercial arbitration shall be governed by the Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (the "Model Law") adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on June 21, 1985.
COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION
Q: When is an arbitration considered as commercial? A: An arbitration is "commercial" if it covers matters arising from all relationships of a commercial nature, whether contractual or not.
Q: What are the matters or transactions considered as commercial?
A: Relationships of a transactions include:
a. any trade transaction for the supply or exchange of goods or services;
b. distribution agreements; c. construction of works;
d. commercial representation or agency; e. factoring; f. leasing, consulting; g. engineering; h. licensing; i. investment; j. financing; k. banking; l. insurance;
m. joint venture and other forms of industrial or business cooperation;
n. carriage of goods or passengers by air, sea, rail or road.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION (Applicable also in Domestic Arbitration)
Q: Give the rule with regard to the representation of a party in international (as well as in mediation and domestic) arbitration? May an alien represent a party in international arbitration conducted in the Philippines?
A: Yes. In international arbitration conducted in the Philippines, a party may be presented by any person of his choice. Provided, that such representative, unless admitted to the practice of law in the Philippines, shall not be authorized to appear as counsel in any Philippine court, or
any other quasi-judicial body whether or not such appearance is in relation to the arbitration in which he appears.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS (Applicable also in Domestic Arbitration)
Q: What is covered by the confidentiality rule in arbitration proceedings? May the records of arbitration proceedings be published?
A:
GR: The arbitration proceedings, including the records, evidence and the arbitral award, shall be considered confidential and shall not be published.
XPN:
(1) with the consent of the parties, or
(2) for the limited purpose of disclosing to the court of relevant documents in cases where resort to the court is allowed herein.
Q: Can the court in which the action or the appeal is pending issue a protective order or prohibit disclosure or information?
A: Yes. The court in which the action or the appeal is pending may issue a protective order to prevent or prohibit disclosure of documents or information containing secret processes, developments, research and other information where it is shown that the applicant shall be materially prejudiced by an authorized disclosure thereof.
REFERRAL TO ARBITRATION (Applicable also in Domestic Arbitration) Q: When should the court refer the parties to arbitration? A: A court before which an action is brought in a matter which is the subject matter of an arbitration agreement shall:
a. If at least one party so requests not later that the pre-trial conference; or
b. Upon the request of both parties thereafter
refer the parties to arbitration unless it finds that the arbitration agreement is:
a. null and void; b. inoperative; or
c. incapable of being performed
Q: May the courts dismiss the action for arbitration motu proprio?
A: Yes, as a general rule, a court before which an action is brought in a matter which si the subject of an arbitration agreement shall, if a party so requests, refer the parties to arbitration. However, courts may dismiss an action for arbitration motu proprio if it finds that the arbitration agreement is null and voud, inoperative or incapable of being performed.
CONSTITUTION OF THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL Q: When is the arbitral tribunal deemed constituted? A: The arbitral tribunal is deemed constituted when the sole arbitrator or the third arbitrator who has been nominated, has accepted the nomination and written communication of said nomination and acceptance has been received by the party making request.
GRANT OF INTERIM MEASURE OF PROTECTION (Applicable also in Domestic Arbitration)
Q: May the parties request for interim measure of protection in arbitral proceedings? Where should the request for interim measure of protection be made?
A: It is not incompatible with an arbitration agreement for a party to request:
a. Before constitution of the tribunal, from a Court an interim measure of protection and for the Court to grant such measure.
b. After constitution of the arbitral tribunal and during arbitral proceedings, a request for an interim measure of protection or modification thereof, may be made with the arbitral tribunal or to the extent that the arbitral tribunal has no power to act or is unable to act effectively, the request may be made with the Court.
Q: In what instances may an interim measure of protection be allowed?
A: An interim measure of protection may be granted if necessary:
i. to prevent irreparable loss or injury:
ii. to provide security for the performance of any obligation;
iii. to produce or preserve any evidence; or
iv. to compel any other appropriate act or omission. Q: How should the application for interim or provisional relief be made? What is the form of such application?
A: Interim or provisional relief is requested by written application transmitted by reasonable means to the Court or arbitral tribunal as the case may be.
Q: What should be stated in the application? A: It shall state the following facts:
a. the party against whom the relief is sought; b. describing in appropriate detail the precise relief; c. the party against whom the relief is requested; d. the grounds for the relief; and
e. evidence supporting the request.
NOTE: The order shall be binding upon the parties.
Q: What is the effect if a party does not comply with the order for interim or provisional relief?
A: A party who does not comply with the order shall be liable for all damages resulting from noncompliance, including all expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees, paid in obtaining the order's judicial enforcement.
Q: What are the interim measures of protection available to the parties in an arbitration proceeding?
A: Such interim measures may include but shall not be limited to:
a. preliminary injuction directed against a party; b. appointment of receivers or detention;
c. preservation, inspection of property that is the subject of the dispute in arbitration.
PLACE OF ARBITRATION Q: Where should the arbitration be conducted?
A: The parties are free to agree on the place of arbitration. Failing such agreement:
a. The place of arbitration shall be in Metro Manila, unless the arbitral tribunal, having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the convenience of the parties shall decide on a different place of arbitration.
b. The arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any place it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts, or the parties, or for inspection of goods, other property or documents.
LANGUAGE OF THE ARBITRATION
Q: What is the language to be used in arbitration proceedings?
A: The parties are free to agree on the language or languages to be used in the arbitral proceedings. Failing such agreement:
a. the language to be used shall be English in international arbitration; and
b. English or Filipino for domestic arbitration, unless the arbitral tribunal shall determine a different or another language or languages to be used in the proceedings.
This agreement or determination, unless otherwise specified therein, shall apply to any written statement by a party, any hearing and any award, decision or other communication by the arbitral tribunal.
The arbitral tribunal may order that any documentary evidence shall be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties.
DOMESTIC ARBITRATION
Q: What is the law governing domestic arbitration?
A: Domestic arbitration shall continue to be governed by Republic Act No. 876, otherwise known as "The Arbitration Law.
ARBITRATION OF CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES
Q: What is the law governing arbitration of construction disputes?
A: The arbitration of construction disputes shall be governed by Executive Order No. 1008, otherwise known as the Constitution Industry Arbitration Law.
Q: What is the coverage of EO No. 1008?
A: Construction disputes which fall within the original and exclusive jurisdiction of the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (the "Commission") shall include those between or among parties to, or who are otherwise bound by, an arbitration agreement, directly or by reference whether such parties are:
a. project owner b. contractor c. subcontractor d. quantity surveyor
e. bondsman or issuer of an insurance policy in a construction project.
Q: May an arbitrator act as mediator and a mediator act as arbitrator?
A: Yes. By written agreement of the parties to a dispute, an arbitrator may act as mediator and a mediator may act as arbitrator. The parties may also agree in writing that, following a successful mediation, the mediator shall issue the settlement agreement in the form of an arbitral award. Q: Under what instances can a foreign arbitrator or co-arbitrator be appointed?
A: The Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) shall promulgate rules to allow for the appointment of a foreign arbitrator or coarbitrator or chairman of a tribunal a person who has not been previously accredited by CIAC: Provided, That:
(a) the dispute is a construction dispute in which one party is an international party
(b) the person to be appointed agreed to abide by the arbitration rules and policies of CIAC;
(c) he/she is either coarbitrator upon the nomination of the international party; or he/she is the common choice of the two CIAC-accredited arbitrators first appointed one of whom was nominated by the international party; and
(d) the foreign arbitrator shall be of different nationality from the international party.
Q: What is the effect if the dispute is filed in the RTC? A: A regional trial court which a construction dispute is filed shall, upon becoming aware, not later than the pretrial conference, that the parties had entered into an arbitration to be conducted by the CIAC, unless both parties, assisted by their respective counsel, shall submit to the regional trial court a written agreement exclusive for the Court, rather than the CIAC, to resolve the dispute.
Foreign Arbitral Award Not Foreign Judgment A foreign arbitral award when confirmed by a court of a foreign country, shall be recognized and enforced as a foreign arbitral award and not a judgment of a foreign court.
A foreign arbitral award, when confirmed by the regional trial court, shall be enforced as a foreign arbitral award and not as a judgment of a foreign court.
A foreign arbitral award, when confirmed by the regional trial court, shall be enforced in the same manner as final and executory decisions of courts of law of the Philippines.
Appeal from Court Decisions on Arbitral Awards A decision of the regional trial court confirming, vacating, setting aside, modifying or correcting an arbitral award may be appealed to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the rules of procedure to be promulgated by the Supreme Court. Q: Where should the recognition and enforcement of an arbitration agreement or for vacation, setting aside, correction or modification of an arbitral award should be made?
A: It shall be filled with the regional trial court:
(a) where arbitration proceedings are conducted; (b) where the asset to be attached or levied upon, or
the act to be enjoined is located;
(c) where any of the parties to the dispute resides or has his place of business; or
(d) in the National Judicial Capital Region, at the option of the applicant.
Q: When should the notice of proceeding to parties be made?
A: In a special proceeding for recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award, the Court shall send notice to the parties at their address of record in the arbitration, or if any party cannot be served notice at such address, at such party's last known address. The notice shall be sent at least fifteen (15) days before the date set for the initial hearing of the application.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 876
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF ARBITRATION AND SUBMISSION AGREEMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATORS AND THE PROCEDURE FOR
ARBITRATION IN CIVIL CONTROVERSIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Persons and matters subject to arbitration
Q: Under what instances may the party submit to arbitration?
A: Two or more persons or parties may submit to the arbitration of one or more arbitrators:
a. Any controversy existing between them at the time of the submission and which may be the subject of an action (submission clause); or
b. The parties to any contract may in such contract agree to settle by arbitration a controversy
thereafter arising between them (arbitration clause).
Q: Distinguish arbitration clause from submission clause. A:
ARBITRATION CLAUSE SUBMISSION CLAUSE A clause in the contract
which says that in event of a
future dispute between the
parties, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration. When the contract is brought to court, a party may request the court to suspend the proceedings and bring it to arbitration and the award of arbitrator would then be
brought to court for
recognition and execution
It is an agreement in writing
and subscribed by the
parties, and entered into if they already have a present
dispute and there is no
arbitration clause in their contract.
Such admission for
arbitration is deemed a consent of the parties to the jurisdiction of the RTC of the province or city where any of the parties reside, to enforce such contract or submission.
NOTE: Such submission or contract shall be valid, enforceable and irrevocable, save upon such grounds as exist at law for the revocation of any contract.
Q: What are the advantages of arbitration? A:
1. The availability of experts on technical matters involved in a dispute. There is an expert determination of the questions of fact involved.
2. Speedier process of arbitration in resolving a case 3. Less expenses on the part of the parties
4. Trade contracts or relationship between the parties are not ruptured by arbitration
5. Privacy is attained in arbitration 6. Filial or friendly atmosphere
7. Flexibility of proceedings—arbitral proceedings are not bound by the strict rules of evidence
Q: What is the form of arbitration agreement?
A: A contract to arbitrate a controversy thereafter arising between the parties, as well as a submission to arbitrate an existing controversy shall be in writing and subscribed by the party sought to be charged, or by his lawful agent.
Q: How should the arbitration be instituted? A: An arbitration shall be instituted by:
a) In the case of a contract to arbitrate future controversies by the service by either party upon the other of a demand for arbitration in accordance with the contract.
Q: What should the demand set forth? A: Such demand shall be set forth: 1. the nature of the controversy; 2. the amount involved, if any; and
3. the relief sought, together with a true copy of the contract providing for arbitration.
NOTE: The demand shall be served upon any party either in person or by registered mail.
Appointment of Arbitrator Single Arbitrator
In the event that the contract between the parties provides for the appointment of a single arbitrator, the demand shall be set forth a specific time within which the parties shall agree upon such arbitrator.
Three arbitrators
If the contract between the parties provides for the appointment of three arbitrators, one to be selected by each party, the demand shall:
1. name the arbitrator appointed by the party making the demand and;
2. shall require that the party upon whom the demand is made shall within fifteen days after receipt thereof advise in writing the party making such demand of the name of the person appointed by the second party;
3. such notice shall require that the two arbitrators so appointed must agree upon the third arbitrator within ten days from the date of such notice. Q: If a party defaults in answering the demand, what is the remedy of the aggrieved party?
A:
b) In the event that one party defaults in answering the demand, the aggrieved party may file with the Clerk of the Court of First Instance having jurisdiction over the parties, a copy of the demand for arbitration under the contract to arbitrate, with a notice that the original demand was sent by registered mail or delivered in person to the party against whom the claim is asserted.
Submission of an existing controversy
c) by the filing with the Clerk of the Court of First Instance having jurisdiction, of the submission agreement, setting forth the nature of the controversy, and the amount involved, if any. Such submission may be filed by any party and shall be duly executed by both parties.
Hearing by Court
Q: In case of failure, neglect or refusal of another to comply with the said agreement, what can the aggrieved party do? A: He may petition the court for an order directing that such arbitration proceed in the manner provided for in such agreement.
NOTE: Five days notice in writing of the hearing of such application shall be served either personally or by registered mail upon the party in default.
If the finding be that no agreement in writing providing for arbitration was made, or that there is no default in the proceeding thereunder, the proceeding shall be dismissed. If the finding be that a written provision for arbitration was made and there is a default in proceeding thereunder, an order shall be made summarily directing the parties to proceed with the arbitration in accordance with the terms thereof.
Stay of civil action
Q: What is the effect to the court proceeding if any suit or proceeding is brought upon an issue arising out of an agreement providing for the arbitration thereof?
A: In such case, the court in which such suit or proceeding is pending, upon being satisfied that the issue involved in such suit or proceeding is referable to arbitration, shall stay the action or proceeding until an arbitration has been had in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Appointment of arbitrators
Q: How should the appointment of arbitrators be made? A:
1. in accordance with the method of naming or appointing the arbitrators/s described in the contract for arbitration or in the submission contract;
2. but if no method be provided therein the Court of First Instance shall designate an arbitrator or arbitrators.
Q: Under what circumstances can the CFI appoint an arbitrator or arbitrators?
A:
a) If the parties to the contract or submission are unable to agree upon a single arbitrator; or
b) If an arbitrator appointed by the parties is unwilling or unable to serve, and his successor has not been appointed in the manner in which he was appointed; or
c) If either party to the contract fails or refuses to name his arbitrator within fifteen days after receipt of the demand for arbitration; or
d) If the arbitrators appointed by each party to the contract, or appointed by one party to the contract and by the proper Court, shall fail to agree upon or to select the third arbitrator.
NOTE: The court shall, in its discretion appoint one or three arbitrators, according to the importance of the controversy involved in any of the preceding cases in which the agreement is silent as to the number of arbitrators.
Q: Can the arbitrators appointed decline? How should the vacancy be filled?
A: Arbitrators appointed under this section shall either accept or decline their appointments within seven days of the receipt of their appointments. In case of declination or the failure of an arbitrator or arbitrators to duly accept their appointments the parties or the court, as the case may be, shall proceed to appoint a substitute or substitutes for the arbitrator or arbitrators who decline or failed to accept his or their appointments.
Appointment of additional arbitrators
Where a submission or contract provides that two or more arbitrators therein designated or to be thereafter appointed by the parties, may select or appoint a person as an additional arbitrator, the selection or appointment must be in writing. Such additional arbitrator must sit with the original arbitrators upon the hearing.
Qualifications of arbitrators
Q: What are the qualifications of the arbitrators to be appointed?
A: Any person appointed to serve as an arbitrator:
a. must be of legal age;
b. in full-enjoyment of his civil rights; and c. know how to read and write.
d. No person appointed to served as an arbitrator shall be related by blood or marriage within the sixth degree to either party to the controversy.
e. No person shall serve as an arbitrator in any proceeding if he has or has had financial, fiduciary or other interest in the controversy or cause to be decided or in the result of the proceeding, or has any personal bias, which might prejudice the right of any party to a fair and impartial award.
NOTE: No party shall select as an arbitrator any person to act as his champion or to advocate his cause.
Q: According to Dr. Palacios, what are the qualities to consider in appointing an arbitrator?
A:
1. Persuasiveness, ability to convey ideas, knowledge; 2. Ability to fully adopt the position of his party; 3. Ability to convince other party to accept their
position;
4. Party should be fully convinced that his arbitrator works for him/her; and
5. Sense of equity, fairness, and justice
Discovery of any circumstances that may disqualify the arbitrator
If, after appointment but before or during hearing, a person appointed to serve as an arbitrator shall discover:
a. any circumstances likely to create a presumption of bias, or
b. which he believes might disqualify him as an impartial arbitrator
the arbitrator shall immediately disclose such information to the parties. Thereafter the parties may agree in writing:
a. to waive the presumptive disqualifying
circumstances; or
b. to declare the office of such arbitrator vacant. Any such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
Challenge of arbitrators
Q: Under what reasons may the arbitrators be challenged (vis-à-vis their qualification)? When may the appointment of the arbitrators be challenged?
A: An arbitrator maybe be challenged only if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality
or independence or if he does not possess qualifications agreed to by the parties. A party may challenge an arbitrator appointed by him, or in whose appointment he has participated, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment has been made.
The arbitrators may be challenged only for the reasons mentioned above which may have arisen after the arbitration agreement or were unknown at the time of arbitration. Q: Where should the challenge be made? Should it be with the arbitral tribunal or with the RTC?
A: The challenge shall be made before them. If they do not yield to the challenge, the challenging party may renew the challenge before the Court of First Instance of the province or city in which the challenged arbitrator, or, any of them, if there be more than one, resides.
Q: What is the effect of the challenging incident to the arbitral proceedings?
A: While the challenging incident is discussed before the court, the hearing or arbitration shall be suspended, and it shall be continued immediately after the court has delivered an order on the challenging incident.
Q: What is the consequence of the arbitrator’s non-performance of his functions?
A: His mandate terminates. The parties may request for his termination.
Q: Distinguish de facto from de jure arbitrator. A:
DE JURE DE FACTO
A person who took over the arbitration proceedings as arbitrator without an express consent of the parties. If without objection by the parties, the actions of the de facto arbitrator will be sustained but if the parties objected to it, his action will be withdrawn
one who is legally appointed by the parties
Procedure by the arbitrators
Subject to the terms of the submission or contract, if any are specified therein, are arbitrators selected as prescribed herein must:
a. within five days after appointment if the parties to the controversy reside within the same city or province, or
b. within fifteen days after appointment if the parties reside in different provinces,
set a time and place for the hearing of the matters submitted to them, and must cause notice thereof to be given to each of the parties.
Q: Can the hearing be postponed or adjourned?
A: Yes. The hearing can be postponed or adjourned by the arbitrators only by agreement of the parties; otherwise, adjournment may be ordered by the arbitrators upon their own motion only at the hearing and for good and sufficient cause.
NOTE: No adjournment shall extend the hearing beyond the day fixed in the submission or contract for rendering the award, unless the time so fixed is extended by the written agreement of the parties to the submission or contract or their attorneys, or unless the parties have continued with the arbitration without objection to such adjournment.
Q: What is the effect of the absence of any party to the hearing?
A: The hearing may proceed in the absence of any party who, after due notice, fails to be present at such hearing or fails to obtain an adjournment thereof.
Q: Can an award be made solely on default of a party? A: No. An award shall not be made solely on the default of a party. The arbitrators shall require the other party to submit such evidence as they may require for making an award. Q: Who can represent a party to arbitration?
A: No one other than a party to said arbitration, or a person in the regular employ of such party duly authorized in writing by said party, or a practicing attorney-at-law, shall be permitted by the arbitrators to represent before him or them any party to the arbitration.
NOTE: Any party desiring to be represented by counsel shall notify the other party or parties of such intention at least five days prior to the hearing.
Q: Who can attend the arbitration proceedings?
A: Persons having a direct interest in the controversy which is the subject of arbitration shall have the right to attend any hearing; but the attendance of any other person shall be at the discretion of the arbitrators.
Powers of an arbitrator
Q: What are the powers of an arbitrator? A: The following are the powers of arbitrators:
a. To require any person to attend a hearing as a witness;
b. To subpoena witnesses and documents when the relevancy of the testimony and the materiality thereof has been demonstrated;
c. To require the retirement of any witness during the testimony of any other witness;
d. To take measures to safeguard and/or conserve any matter which is the subject of the dispute in arbitration;
e. To render a fair, reasonable and impartial award; f. To accept pleadings; and
g. To admit evidence
NOTE: All of the arbitrators appointed in any controversy must attend all the hearings in that matter and hear all the allegations and proofs of the parties; but an award by the majority of them is valid unless the concurrence of all of them is expressly required in the submission or contract to arbitrate.
Hearing by the arbitrators
Arbitrators may, at the commencement of the hearing, ask both parties for brief statements of the issues in controversy and/or an agreed statement of facts. Thereafter the parties may offer such evidence as they desire, and shall produce such additional evidence as the arbitrators shall require or deem necessary to an understanding and determination of the dispute.
Q: In hearing the parties and admitting their evidence, is the tribunal bound by the Rules of Evidence?
A: The arbitrators shall be the sole judge of the relevancy and materiality of the evidence offered or produced, and shall not be bound to conform to the Rules of Court pertaining to evidence.
Arbitrators shall receive as exhibits in evidence any document which the parties may wish to submit and the exhibits shall be properly identified at the time of submission.
Q: Who shall take possession or custody of the evidence submitted by the parties?
A: All exhibits shall remain in the custody of the Clerk of Court during the course of the arbitration and shall be returned to the parties at the time the award is made.
NOTE: The arbitrators may make an ocular inspection of any matter or premises which are in dispute, but such inspection shall be made only in the presence of all parties to the arbitration, unless any party who shall have received notice thereof fails to appear, in which event such inspection shall be made in the absence of such party.
Time for rendering award
Unless the parties shall have stipulated by written agreement the time within which the arbitrators must render their award, the written award of the arbitrators shall be rendered within thirty days after the closing of the hearings or if the oral hearings shall have been waived, within thirty days after the arbitrators shall have declared such proceedings in lieu of hearing closed. This period may be extended by mutual consent of the parties.
Form and contents of award
Q: What should be the form and contents of an arbitral award?
A: The arbitral award shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators. In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, the signatures of the majority of all members of the arbitral tribunal shall suffice, provided that the reason for any omitted signature is stated. The award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given. The award shall state its date and the place or arbitration. After the award is made, a copy signed by the arbitrators shall be delivered to each party.
NOTE: In the event that the parties to an arbitration have, during the course of such arbitration, settled their dispute, they may request of the arbitrators that such settlement be embodied in an award which shall be signed by the arbitrators.
Q: Can the arbitrator act as a mediator in an arbitration proceeding?
A: No. No arbitrator shall act as a mediator in any proceeding in which he is acting as arbitrator.
Accordingly, unlike a mediator, arbitrators have the power and authority to render an arbitral award.
Q: How may an arbitral award be confirmed?
A: At any time within one month after the award is made, any party to the controversy which was arbitrated may apply to the court having jurisdiction, as provided in section twenty-eight, for an order confirming the award. The court must grant such order unless the award is vacated, modified or
corrected, as prescribed herein. Notice of such motion must be served upon the adverse party or his attorney. A domestic arbitral award shall be enforced in the same manner as final and executory decisions of the RTC.
Vacating an award Q: What are the grounds for vacating award?
A: In any one of the following cases, the court must make an order vacating the award upon the petition of any party to the controversy when such party proves affirmatively that in the arbitration proceedings:
a. The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means; or
b. That there was evident partiality or corruption in the arbitrators or any of them;
c. That the arbitrators were guilty of misconduct in refusing to postpone the hearing upon sufficient cause shown, or in refusing to hear evidence pertinent and material to the controversy;
d. that one or more of the arbitrators was disqualified to act as such under section nine hereof, and wilfully refrained from disclosing such disqualifications or of any other misbehavior by which the rights of any party have been materially prejudiced;
e. That the arbitrators exceeded their powers, or so imperfectly executed them, that a mutual, final and definite award upon the subject matter submitted to them was not made.
Modifying or correcting an award
Q: What are the grounds for modifying or correcting an award?
A: In any one of the following cases, the court must make an order modifying or correcting the award, upon the application of any party to the controversy which was arbitrated:
a. Where there was an evident miscalculation of figures, or an evident mistake in the description of any person, thing or property referred to in the award; or
b. Where the arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to them, not affecting the merits of the decision upon the matter submitted; or
c. Where the award is imperfect in a matter of form not affecting the merits of the controversy, and if it had been a commissioner's report, the defect could have been amended or disregarded by the court. Section 28. Papers to accompany motion to confirm, modify,
correct, or vacate award. - The party moving for an order
confirming, modifying, correcting, or vacating an award, shall at the time that such motion is filed with the court for the entry of judgment thereon also file the following papers with the Clerk of Court;
(a) The submission, or contract to arbitrate; the appointment of the arbitrator or arbitrators; and each written extension of the time, if any, within which to make the award.
(b) A verified of the award.
(c) Each notice, affidavit, or other paper used upon the application to confirm, modify, correct or vacate such award, and a copy of each of the court upon such application.
Appeal
An appeal may be taken from an order made in a proceeding under this Act, or from a judgment entered upon an award through certiorari proceedings, but such appeals shall be limited to questions of law.
Q: What are the remedies of the aggrieved party against an arbitral award?
A: Under Article 2044 of the New Civil Code, the validity of any stipulation on the finality of the arbitrators’ award or decision is recognized. However, where the conditions described in Articles 2038, 2039, and 2040 applicable to both compromises and arbitrations are obtaining, the arbitrators’ award may be annulled or rescinded.
Consequently, the decision of the Arbitration Committee is subject to judicial review. The proper recourse of the petitioner from the denial of its motion for reconsideration by the Arbitration Committee is to file either:
a. a motion to vacate the arbitral award with the RTC; b. a petition for review with the Court of Appeals under
Rule 43 of the Rules of Court; or
c. a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court.
The RTC will only have jurisdiction over an arbitral award in cases of motions to vacate the same. Otherwise, as elucidated herein, the Court of Appeals retains jurisdiction in petitions for review or in petitions for certiorari (Insular
Savings Bank vs. Far East Bank and Trust Company, 492 SCRA 145, 22 June 2006).
UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration
Q: What is commercial arbitration?
A: It covers matters arising from all relationships of a commercial nature, whether contractual or not. Relationships of a commercial nature include, but are not limited to, the following transactions: any trade transaction for the supply or exchange of goods or services; distribution agreement; commercial representation or agency; factoring; leasing; construction of works; consulting; engineering; licensing; investment; financing; banking; insurance; exploitation agreement or concession; joint venture and other forms of industrial or business cooperation; carriage of goods or passengers by air, sea, rail or road.
Q: When may the appointment of an arbitrator be challenged? (see Sect. 11 of R.A. 876)
A: When a person is approached in connection with his possible appointment as an arbitrator, he shall disclose any circumstances likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence. An arbitrator, from the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings, shall without delay disclose any such circumstances to the parties unless they have already been informed of them by him.
An arbitrator may be challenged only if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence, or if he does not possess qualifications agreed to by the parties. A party may challenge an arbitrator appointed by him, or in whose appointment he has participated, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment has been made (Article 12 of UNCITRAL).
Q: What is the form and contents of an arbitral award under the Model Law (see Sec. 20 of R.A. 876)?
A: The award shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators. In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, the signatures of the majority of all members of the arbitral tribunal shall suffice, provided that the reason for any omitted signature is stated. The award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given. The award shall state its date and the place of arbitration. The award shall be deemed to have been made at that place. After the award is made, a copy signed by the arbitrators shall be delivered to each party (Article 31 of the Model Law). Q: Can a foreign award be enforced in the Philippines under the Rules of Court on the recognition and enforcement judgment?
A: No. foreign arbitral awards are not like foreign court judgments. They may be enforced under Sec. 44 of R.A 9285: A foreign arbitral award when confirmed by a court of a foreign country, shall be recognized and enforced as a foreign arbitral award and not a judgment of a foreign court.
A foreign arbitral award, when confirmed by the regional trial court, shall be enforced as a foreign arbitral award and not as a judgment of a foreign court.
A foreign arbitral award, when confirmed by the regional trial court, shall be enforced in the same manner as final and executory decisions of courts of law of the Philippines. NOTE: If the recognition and enforcement of foreign awards not covered by the New York Convention, courts, may, on the grounds of comity and reciprocity, recognize and enforce a non-convention award as a convention award.
Q: What is the nature of the action for recognition and enforcement of a foreign award? Where should it be filed? A: Proceedings for recognition and enforcement of an arbitration agreement or for vacation, setting aside, correction or modification of an arbitral award, and any application with a court for arbitration assistance and supervision shall be deemed as special proceedings and shall be filled with the regional trial court (i) where arbitration proceedings are conducted; (ii) where the asset to be attached or levied upon, or the act to be enjoined is located; (iii) where any of the parties to the dispute resides or has his place of business; or (iv) in the National Judicial Capital Region, at the option of the applicant (Section 47 of R.A. 9285).
Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement Q: When may a foreign award be refused recognition and enforcement in our jurisdiction?
A:
1. At the request of the party against whom it is invoked, if that party furnishes to the competent court where recognition or enforcement is sought proof that:
a. a party to the arbitration agreement referred to in article 7 was under some incapacity; or the said agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication thereon, under the law of the country where the award was made; or
b. the party against whom the award is invoked was not given proper notice of the appointment of an
