Qualifications, independence and the panel
Arbitrators and tribunals handle cases on behalf of the Commission under the principle of independence. No body or individual may interfere.
Qualifications of arbitrators
To serve as an arbitrator of the Commission a person must satisfy both of the following:
Good characterAn arbitrator who shows partiality, accepts a bribe or otherwise misconducts themselves is held liable under the ICE8000 standard.
Legal knowledge and corresponding competenceMeeting any one of the conditions listed opposite satisfies this requirement.
- Eight years' experience in arbitration work;
- Eight years' practice as a lawyer;
- Eight years' service as a judge;
- A doctorate in law, or a professorship or associate professorship in legal research or teaching;
- Legal knowledge together with recognised, extensive expertise in economics, trade or another professional field;
- The International Certified Integrity Practitioner (ICIP) qualification with at least three years' practice.
Within three months of appointment an arbitrator must obtain the international credit practice qualification, complete practice registration and become an individual member of the World Credit Organization (WCO); otherwise they are deemed to have resigned. The same applies to an arbitrator who fails to sit the continuing-education examinations or renew registration during their term.
Safeguards of arbitrators' independence
From tenure and nomination to election and case handling, the rules are designed so that arbitrators answer only to the facts, the standard and their conscience.
Security of tenure
Arbitrators serve one-year terms renewable indefinitely and cannot be removed unless serious dereliction, corruption or misconduct is established after a hearing before the International Moral Court.
Open nomination
Arbitrators, WCO directors, supervisors, hearing committee members, the President, Vice-Presidents and senior administrative officers may nominate arbitrators; anyone may recommend a candidate.
An elected Commission
All arbitrators directly elect nine members to the Commission for three-year terms; a member elected mid-term serves the remainder of that term.
Majority decisions
The Commission decides by majority on the appointment of arbitrators and complaints seeking their removal, on internal administration and external affairs, and supports arbitrators in their cases.
Chair and Vice-Chairs
The members elect one Chair and two Vice-Chairs. Six or more members may convene a meeting, and a resolution passes with the support of five or more.
Independent case handling
Arbitrators and tribunals act under the principle of independence. Neither the members, the Commission, the Chair, the Vice-Chairs nor anyone else may interfere.
Arbitrator profiles
The Commission keeps panels of arbitrators by specialism, with a profile of each. Parties select arbitrators from the panel.
Fang Bangjian
Bachelor of Economics; qualified lawyer (China); International Certified Integrity Practitioner (ICIP).
Gao Chuanxiang
Master of Economics; International Certified Integrity Practitioner (ICIP).
Wang Xinjie
Certified economist (China); International Certified Integrity Practitioner (ICIP).
Jia Shuyan
Certified accountant (China); Master's degree; International Certified Integrity Practitioner (ICIP).
The Chair of the Commission decides whether an arbitrator must withdraw. A party with justifiable doubts as to an arbitrator's impartiality or independence may file a written challenge before the first hearing, stating the facts and reasons and providing evidence.