Independent, impartial and expeditious resolution of credit disputes
Established by the World Credit Organization (WCO) in 2005, the Commission arbitrates credit disputes for parties anywhere in the world under the ICE8000 International Credit Dispute Arbitration Standard. Awards are final, binding, and backed by the ICE8000 integrity system.
Fairness built on the ICE8000 standard
As a member institution of the World Credit Organization, the Commission fully complies with the ICE8000 International Credit Dispute Arbitration Standard and the related ICE8000 standards. Their soundness and rigour give the fairness of every arbitration a solid foundation.
Governed by ICE8000
Every arbitration follows the ICE8000 International Credit Dispute Arbitration Standard and the related ICE8000 standards, so the procedure is published, predictable and open to scrutiny.
Enforcement backed by the integrity system
A party that fails to comply with an award is held liable under ICE8000. The tribunal may require any WCO member to assist enforcement and may impose credit warnings, public exposure and even a credit wanted notice on those who refuse. Parties may also seek court enforcement under the New York Convention.
Integrity and incorruptibility
An arbitrator who shows partiality or accepts a bribe is held liable under the ICE8000 standard and may be removed after a hearing before the International Moral Court.
Honest evidence
Parties must present evidence honestly. Whenever it is proven, at any time, that a party's evidence was dishonest, that party is held liable under the ICE8000 standard.
No escalation
During the arbitration no party may start litigation, another arbitration or administrative complaints, or complain to the press or the internet. Credit sanctions in force before the arbitration are suspended.
Strict confidentiality
The tribunal, the parties and all participants are bound to confidentiality. Trade secrets and personal privacy are protected, and hearings are private unless both parties ask otherwise.
From arbitration agreement to enforcement
Proceedings begin on the day the Commission issues the notice of arbitration. These are the main steps of the ordinary procedure; disputes not exceeding USD 500,000 follow a faster summary procedure.
- 01
Arbitration agreement
The parties include an arbitration clause in their contract or sign a written arbitration agreement after the dispute arises. Where an ICE8000 standard already contains a default arbitration clause, no separate agreement is needed.
- 02
Application and filing
The claimant files an Application for Arbitration with supporting evidence and pays the fees. Once the formalities are complete, the Commission accepts the case and issues the notice of arbitration.
- 03
Defence and counterclaim
The respondent files a statement of defence with supporting documents within 15 days of receiving the notice; any counterclaim must be raised within the same period.
- 04
Constitution of the tribunal
For disputes up to USD 500,000 the parties jointly choose a sole arbitrator; above that each party appoints one arbitrator and both jointly choose the presiding arbitrator. If they fail to do so in time, the Chair of the Commission appoints.
- 05
Hearing and mediation
The tribunal may hear the case orally or on documents, in private. With the parties' consent the tribunal may mediate; a settlement may be recorded as an award.
- 06
Award and enforcement
The award is rendered within two months of the tribunal's constitution. It is final; if a party does not comply, the other may seek enforcement before a competent court under the New York Convention and pursue the defaulter's credit liability.
Any dispute covered by an arbitration agreement
The Commission accepts a case on the basis of an arbitration agreement concluded before or after the dispute arose and a written application by one party. There is no geographical limitation.
An arbitration agreement is an arbitration clause in a contract, or any other written agreement to submit disputes to arbitration.
Arbitration clause in a contractInserting a clause at the time of contracting is the most common and the most important form of arbitration agreement.
Agreement after the disputeWhere the contract is silent, the parties may still sign a separate written arbitration agreement once a dispute has arisen.
ICE8000 default clauseWhere an ICE8000 standard already provides a default arbitration clause, no separate agreement is required. The respondent may exclude the clause in writing within 7 days of receiving the notice of arbitration, in which case the proceedings end at once; otherwise the clause is conclusively valid.
Add one sentence to your contract
A single clause submits any future dispute under the contract to the Commission. Copy it and paste it into your agreement.
More clauses and the model agreementAny dispute arising from or in connection with this contract shall be submitted to the International Credit Dispute Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with the ICE8000 International Integrity Standard System — International Credit Dispute Arbitration Standard in effect at the time of the application for arbitration. The arbitral award is final and binding upon both parties.
Guided by justice and conscience
The tribunal shall decide on the basis of the facts, in accordance with the universal values of humanity, the ICE8000 standards, international norms, international usage, the law of the place where the conduct occurred (or the law chosen by the parties) and the terms of the contract, following the principles of fairness and reasonableness, guided by justice and conscience, independently and impartially.ICE8000 International Credit Dispute Arbitration Standard, Article 4.42
An arbitral institution founded by the World Credit Organization
The World Credit Organization (WCO) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., and the author of the ICE8000 International Integrity Standard System. On 19 June 2005 it established the International Credit Dispute Arbitration Commission in the State of Delaware.
Together with the International Moral Court and the World Integrity Organization, the Commission forms the dispute-resolution and supervisory arm of the ICE8000 integrity system, whose purpose is to promote social integrity, reduce transaction costs and enhance human well-being.
About the Commission- WCOWorld Credit Organization®Author and guardian of the ICE8000 International Integrity Standard System, founded in 2004.
- WIOWorld Integrity Organization®International organization promoting the culture and practice of integrity.
- WMOWorld Moral Organization™Promotes humanity’s moral conscience through the ICE8000 Moral Conscience Standard.
- IMCInternational Moral Court®Independent, neutral civil moral tribunal hearing cases under the ICE8000 standards.
- ICDACInternational Credit Dispute Arbitration Commission®Independent, neutral and impartial arbitration of credit disputes.
- ICE8000ICE8000® CollegeEducation and training in the ICE8000 International Integrity Standard System.
Ready to apply for arbitration?
Review the fee schedule and the arbitration rules, then purchase the arbitration service through the ICE8000 Integrity Store or write to us by email.