Comparative analysis of arbitrator and institutional fees in the Asia-pacific

At the start of a new Singapore Convention Week, it is perhaps an opportune moment to consider the costs of arbitrating a dispute in the Asia-Pacific. In this LFM Insight, we compare the potential fees payable to arbitrators and administrators under the rules of six arbitral institutions active in Asia, namely: the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA); the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC); the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC); the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). While parties will of course need to bear other costs associated with an arbitration – including those payable to external legal counsel, experts, witnesses, transcribers and other service providers – a comparative analysis of the arbitrator and institutional fees can assist users of arbitration when drafting and negotiating arbitration clauses or when weighing up the potential costs of an arbitration.