the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) issues new arbitration rules, which took effect on 1 June 2026, improves efficiency, clarity and case management while simultaneously maintaining existing flexibility, neutrality and procedural integrity.
The 2026 Arbitration Rules replace the 2021 rules and regulate how the ICC Court of Arbitration cases registered after 1 June 2026 are managed.
One of the major changes involves the highly expedited procedure of issuing an award in three months. Under article 33 and appendix VI of the new rules, parties and the tribunal can opt out of the highly expedited procedure if they all agree.
The new rules also provide emergency arbitration, early determination of one or more claims in the dispute and expedited procedures.
For expedited procedures, the monetary limit has been revised from USD3 million to USD4 million. Another revision is the time limit for awards in cases before the ICC, which will now be prescribed by the ICC president. Previously, cases had to be decided in six months, unless the court extended it.
Terms of reference that clearly define the scope of dispute, parties’ claims, issues and established procedure, are no longer mandatory for all cases under the new rules.
The new rules also emphasise the preference for electronic modes of communication and procedures, as this shift creates records. However, the submission of hard copies of requests, answers and requests for rejoinders is possible in limited scenarios.
