中华人民共和国仲裁法附英文 中华人民共和国主席令（八届第31号） 《中华人民共和国仲裁法》已由中华人民共和国第八届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第九次会议于1994年8月31日通过，现予公布，自1995年9月1日起施行。 中华人民共和国主席 江泽民 1994年8月31日 中华人民共和国仲裁法(附英文) 1994年8月31日第八届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第九次会议通过 目 录 第一章 总 则 第二章 仲裁委员会和仲裁协会 第三章 仲裁协议 第四章 仲裁程序 第一节 申请和受理 第二节 仲裁庭的组成 第三节 开庭和裁决 第五章 申请撤销裁决 第六章 执 行 第七章 涉外仲裁的特别规定 第八章 附 则 第一章 总 则 第一条 为保证公正、及时地仲裁经济纠纷，保护当事人的合法权益，保障社会主义市场经济健康发展，制定本法。 第二条 平等主体的公民、法人和其他组织之间发生的合同纠纷和其他财产权益纠纷，可以仲裁。 第三条 下列纠纷不能仲裁： （一）婚姻、收养、监护、扶养、继承纠纷； （二）依法应当由行政机关处理的行政争议。 第四条 当事人采用仲裁方式解决纠纷，应当双方自愿，达成仲裁协议。没有仲裁协议，一方申请仲裁的，仲裁委员会不予受理。 第五条 当事人达成仲裁协议，一方向人民法院起诉的，人民法院不予受理，但仲裁协议无效的除外。 第六条 仲裁委员会应当由当事人协议选定。 仲裁不实行级别管辖和地域管辖。 第七条 仲裁应当根据事实，符合法律规定，公平合理地解决纠纷。 第八条 仲裁依法独立进行，不受行政机关、社会团体和个人的干涉。 第九条 仲裁实行一裁终局的制度。裁决作出后，当事人就同一纠纷再申请仲裁或者向人民法院起诉的，仲裁委员会或者人民法院不予受理。 裁决被人民法院依法裁定撤销或者不予执行的，当事人就该纠纷可以根据双方重新达成的仲裁协议申请仲裁，也可以向人民法院起诉。 第二章 仲裁委员会和仲裁协会 第十条 仲裁委员会可以在直辖市和省、自治区人民政府所在地的市设立，也可以根据需要在其他设区的市设立，不按行政区划层层设立。 仲裁委员会由前款规定的市的人民政府组织有关部门和商会统一组建。 设立仲裁委员会，应当经省、自治区、直辖市的司法行政部门登记。 第十一条 仲裁委员会应当具备下列条件： （一）有自己的名称、住所和章程； （二）有必要的财产； （三）有该委员会的组成人员； （四）有聘任的仲裁员。 仲裁委员会的章程应当依照本法制定。 第十二条 仲裁委员会由主任一人、副主任二至四人和委员七至十一人组成。 仲裁委员会的主任、副主任和委员由法律、经济贸易专家和有实际工作经验的人员担任。仲裁委员会的组成人员中，法律、经济贸易专家不得少于三分之二。 第十三条 仲裁委员会应当从公道正派的人员中聘任仲裁员。 仲裁员应当符合下列条件之一： （一）从事仲裁工作满八年的； （二）从事律师工作满八年的； （三）曾任审判员满八年的； （四）从事法律研究、教学工作并具有高级职称的； （五）具有法律知识、从事经济贸易等专业工作并具有高级职称或者具有同等专业水平的。 仲裁委员会按照不同专业设仲裁员名册。 第十四条 仲裁委员会独立于行政机关，与行政机关没有隶属关系。仲裁委员会之间也没有隶属关系。 第十五条 中国仲裁协会是社会团体法人。仲裁委员会是中国仲裁协会的会员。中国仲裁协会的章程由全国会员大会制定。 中国仲裁协会是仲裁委员会的自律性组织，根据章程对仲裁委员会及其组成人员、仲裁员的违纪行为进行监督。 中国仲裁协会依照本法和民事诉讼法的有关规定制定仲裁规则。 第三章 仲裁协议 第十六条 仲裁协议包括合同中订立的仲裁条款和以其他书面方式在纠纷发生前或者纠纷发生后达成的请求仲裁的协议。 仲裁协议应当具有下列内容： （一）请求仲裁的意思表示； （二）仲裁事项； （三）选定的仲裁委员会。 第十七条 有下列情形之一的，仲裁协议无效： （一）约定的仲裁事项超出法律规定的仲裁范围的； （二）无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人订立的仲裁协议； （三）一方采取胁迫手段，迫使对方订立仲裁协议的。 第十八条 仲裁协议对仲裁事项或者仲裁委员会没有约定或者约定不明确的，当事人可以补充协议；达不成补充协议的，仲裁协议无效。 第十九条 仲裁协议独立存在，合同的变更、解除、终止或者无效，不影响仲裁协议的效力。 仲裁庭有权确认合同的效力。 第二十条 当事人对仲裁协议的效力有异议的，可以请求仲裁委员会作出决定或者请求人民法院作出裁定。一方请求仲裁委员会作出决定，另一方请求人民法院作出裁定的，由人民法院裁定。 当事人对仲裁协议的效力有异议，应当在仲裁庭首次开庭前提出。 第四章 仲裁程序 第一节 申请和受理 第二十一条 当事人申请仲裁应当符合下列条件： （一）有仲裁协议； （二）有具体的仲裁请求和事实、理由； （三）属于仲裁委员会的受理范围。 第二十二条 当事人申请仲裁，应当向仲裁委员会递交仲裁协议、仲裁申请书及副本。 第二十三条 仲裁申请书应当载明下列事项： （一）当事人的姓名、性别、年龄、职业、工作单位和住所，法人或者其他组织的名称、住所和法定代表人或者主要负责人的姓名、职务； （二）仲裁请求和所根据的事实、理由； （三）证据和证据来源、证人姓名和住所。 第二十四条 仲裁委员会收到仲裁申请书之日起五日内，认为符合受理条件的，应当受理，并通知当事人；认为不符合受理条件的，应当书面通知当事人不予受理，并说明理由。 第二十五条 仲裁委员会受理仲裁申请后，应当在仲裁规则规定的期限内将仲裁规则和仲裁员名册送达申请人，并将仲裁申请书副本和仲裁规则、仲裁员名册送达被申请人。 被申请人收到仲裁申请书副本后，应当在仲裁规则规定的期限内向仲裁委员会提交答辩书。仲裁委员会收到答辩书后，应当在仲裁规则规定的期限内将答辩书副本送达申请人。被申请人未提交答辩书的，不影响仲裁程序的进行。 第二十六条 当事人达成仲裁协议，一方向人民法院起诉未声明有仲裁协议，人民法院受理后，另一方在首次开庭前提交仲裁协议的，人民法院应当驳回起诉，但仲裁协议无效的除外；另一方在首次开庭前未对人民法院受理该案提出异议的，视为放弃仲裁协议，人民法院应当继续审理。 第二十七条 申请人可以放弃或者变更仲裁请求。被申请人可以承认或者反驳仲裁请求，有权提出反请求。 第二十八条 一方当事人因另一方当事人的行为或者其他原因，可能使裁决不能执行或者难以执行的，可以申请财产保全。 当事人申请财产保全的，仲裁委员会应当将当事人的申请依照民事诉讼法的有关规定提交人民法院。 申请有错误的，申请人应当赔偿被申请人因财产保全所遭受的损失。 第二十九条 当事人、法定代理人可以委托律师和其他代理人进行仲裁活动。委托律师和其他代理人进行仲裁活动的，应当向仲裁委员会提交授权委托书。 第二节 仲裁庭的组成 第三十条 仲裁庭可以由三名仲裁员或者一名仲裁员组成。由三名仲裁员组成的，设首席仲裁员。 第三十一条 当事人约定由三名仲裁员组成仲裁庭的，应当各自选定或者各自委托仲裁委员会主任指定一名仲裁员，第三名仲裁员由当事人共同选定或者共同委托仲裁委员会主任指定。第三名仲裁员是首席仲裁员。 当事人约定由一名仲裁员成立仲裁庭的，应当由当事人共同选定或者共同委托仲裁委员会主任指定仲裁员。 第三十二条 当事人没有在仲裁规则规定的期限内约定仲裁庭的组成方式或者选定仲裁员的，由仲裁委员会主任指定。 第三十三条 仲裁庭组成后，仲裁委员会应当将仲裁庭的组成情况书面通知当事人。 第三十四条 仲裁员有下列情形之一的，必须回避，当事人也有权提出回避申请： （一）是本案当事人或者当事人、代理人的近亲属； （二）与本案有利害关系； （三）与本案当事人、代理人有其他关系，可能影响公正仲裁的； （四）私自会见当事人、代理人，或者接受当事人、代理人的请客送礼的。 第三十五条 当事人提出回避申请，应当说明理由，在首次开庭前提出。回避事由在首次开庭后知道的，可以在最后一次开庭终结前提出。 第三十六条 仲裁员是否回避，由仲裁委员会主任决定；仲裁委员会主任担任仲裁员时，由仲裁委员会集体决定。 第三十七条 仲裁员因回避或者其他原因不能履行职责的，应当依照本法规定重新选定或者指定仲裁员。 因回避而重新选定或者指定仲裁员后，当事人可以请求已进行的仲裁程序重新进行，是否准许，由仲裁庭决定；仲裁庭也可以自行决定已进行的仲裁程序是否重新进行。 第三十八条 仲裁员有本法第三十四条第四项规定的情形，情节严重的，或者有本法第五十八条第六项规定的情形的，应当依法承担法律责任，仲裁委员会应当将其除名。 第三节 开庭和裁决 第三十九条 仲裁应当开庭进行。当事人协议不开庭的，仲裁庭可以根据仲裁申请书、答辩书以及其他材料作出裁决。 第四十条 仲裁不公开进行。当事人协议公开的，可以公开进行，但涉及国家秘密的除外。 第四十一条 仲裁委员会应当在仲裁规则规定的期限内将开庭日期通知双方当事人。当事人有正当理由的，可以在仲裁规则规定的期限内请求延期开庭。是否延期，由仲裁庭决定。 第四十二条 申请人经书面通知，无正当理由不到庭或者未经仲裁庭许可中途退庭的，可以视为撤回仲裁申请。 被申请人经书面通知，无正当理由不到庭或者未经仲裁庭许可中途退庭的，可以缺席裁决。 第四十三条 当事人应当对自己的主张提供证据。 仲裁庭认为有必要收集的证据，可以自行收集。 第四十四条 仲裁庭对专门性问题认为需要鉴定的，可以交由当事人约定的鉴定部门鉴定，也可以由仲裁庭指定的鉴定部门鉴定。 根据当事人的请求或者仲裁庭的要求，鉴定部门应当派鉴定人参加开庭。当事人经仲裁庭许可，可以向鉴定人提问。 第四十五条 证据应当在开庭时出示，当事人可以质证。 第四十六条 在证据可能灭失或者以后难以取得的情况下，当事人可以申请证据保全。当事人申请证据保全的，仲裁委员会应当将当事人的申请提交证据所在地的基层人民法院。 第四十七条 当事人在仲裁过程中有权进行辩论。辩论终结时，首席仲裁员或者独任仲裁员应当征询当事人的最后意见。 第四十八条 仲裁庭应当将开庭情况记入笔录。当事人和其他仲裁参与人认为对自己陈述的记录有遗漏或者差错的，有权申请补正。如果不予补正，应当记录该申请。 笔录由仲裁员、记录人员、当事人和其他仲裁参与人签名或者盖章。 第四十九条 当事人申请仲裁后，可以自行和解。达成和解协议的，可以请求仲裁庭根据和解协议作出裁决书，也可以撤回仲裁申请。 第五十条 当事人达成和解协议，撤回仲裁申请后反悔的，可以根据仲裁协议申请仲裁。 第五十一条 仲裁庭在作出裁决前，可以先行调解。当事人自愿调解的，仲裁庭应当调解。调解不成的，应当及时作出裁决。 调解达成协议的，仲裁庭应当制作调解书或者根据协议的结果制作裁决书。调解书与裁决书具有同等法律效力。 第五十二条 调解书应当写明仲裁请求和当事人协议的结果。调解书由仲裁员签名，加盖仲裁委员会印章，送达双方当事人。 调解书经双方当事人签收后，即发生法律效力。 在调解书签收前当事人反悔的，仲裁庭应当及时作出裁决。 第五十三条 裁决应当按照多数仲裁员的意见作出，少数仲裁员的不同意见可以记入笔录。仲裁庭不能形成多数意见时，裁决应当按照首席仲裁员的意见作出。 第五十四条 裁决书应当写明仲裁请求、争议事实、裁决理由、裁决结果、仲裁费用的负担和裁决日期。当事人协议不愿写明争议事实和裁决理由的，可以不写。裁决书由仲裁员签名，加盖仲裁委员会印章。对裁决持不同意见的仲裁员，可以签名，也可以不签名。 第五十五条 仲裁庭仲裁纠纷时，其中一部分事实已经清楚，可以就该部分先行裁决。 第五十六条 对裁决书中的文字、计算错误或者仲裁庭已经裁决但在裁决书中遗漏的事项，仲裁庭应当补正；当事人自收到裁决书之日起三十日内，可以请求仲裁庭补正。 第五十七条 裁决书自作出之日起发生法律效力。 第五章 申请撤销裁决 第五十八条 当事人提出证据证明裁决有下列情形之一的，可以向仲裁委员会所在地的中级人民法院申请撤销裁决： （一）没有仲裁协议的； （二）裁决的事项不属于仲裁协议的范围或者仲裁委员会无权仲裁的； （三）仲裁庭的组成或者仲裁的程序违反法定程序的； （四）裁决所根据的证据是伪造的； （五）对方当事人隐瞒了足以影响公正裁决的证据的； （六）仲裁员在仲裁该案时有索贿受贿，徇私舞弊，枉法裁决行为的。 人民法院经组成合议庭审查核实裁决有前款规定情形之一的，应当裁定撤销。 人民法院认定该裁决违背社会公共利益的，应当裁定撤销。 第五十九条 当事人申请撤销裁决的，应当自收到裁决书之日起六个月内提出。 第六十条 人民法院应当在受理撤销裁决申请之日起两个月内作出撤销裁决或者驳回申请的裁定。 第六十一条 人民法院受理撤销裁决的申请后，认为可以由仲裁庭重新仲裁的，通知仲裁庭在一定期限内重新仲裁，并裁定中止撤销程序。仲裁庭拒绝重新仲裁的，人民法院应当裁定恢复撤销程序。 第六章 执 行 第六十二条 当事人应当履行裁决。一方当事人不履行的，另一方当事人可以依照民事诉讼法的有关规定向人民法院申请执行。受申请的人民法院应当执行。 第六十三条 被申请人提出证据证明裁决有民事诉讼法第二百一十七条第二款规定的情形之一的，经人民法院组成合议庭审查核实，裁定不予执行。 第六十四条 一方当事人申请执行裁决，另一方当事人申请撤销裁决的，人民法院应当裁定中止执行。 人民法院裁定撤销裁决的，应当裁定终结执行。撤销裁决的申请被裁定驳回的，人民法院应当裁定恢复执行。 第七章 涉外仲裁的特别规定 第六十五条 涉外经济贸易、运输和海事中发生的纠纷的仲裁，适用本章规定。本章没有规定的，适用本法其他有关规定。 第六十六条 涉外仲裁委员会可以由中国国际商会组织设立。 涉外仲裁委员会由主任一人、副主任若干人和委员若干人组成。 涉外仲裁委员会的主任、副主任和委员可以由中国国际商会聘任。 第六十七条 涉外仲裁委员会可以从具有法律、经济贸易、科学技术等专门知识的外籍人士中聘任仲裁员。 第六十八条 涉外仲裁的当事人申请证据保全的，涉外仲裁委员会应当将当事人的申请提交证据所在地的中级人民法院。 第六十九条 涉外仲裁的仲裁庭可以将开庭情况记入笔录，或者作出笔录要点，笔录要点可以由当事人和其他仲裁参与人签字或者盖章。 第七十条 当事人提出证据证明涉外仲裁裁决有民事诉讼法第二百六十条第一款规定的情形之一的，经人民法院组成合议庭审查核实，裁定撤销。 第七十一条 被申请人提出证据证明涉外仲裁裁决有民事诉讼法第二百六十条第一款规定的情形之一的，经人民法院组成合议庭审查核实，裁定不予执行。 第七十二条 涉外仲裁委员会作出的发生法律效力的仲裁裁决，当事人请求执行的，如果被执行人或者其财产不在中华人民共和国领域内，应当由当事人直接向有管辖权的外国法院申请承认和执行。 第七十三条 涉外仲裁规则可以由中国国际商会依照本法和民事诉讼法的有关规定制定。 第八章 附 则 第七十四条 法律对仲裁时效有规定的，适用该规定。法律对仲裁时效没有规定的，适用诉讼时效的规定。 第七十五条 中国仲裁协会制定仲裁规则前，仲裁委员会依照本法和民事诉讼法的有关规定可以制定仲裁暂行规则。 第七十六条 当事人应当按照规定交纳仲裁费用。 收取仲裁费用的办法，应当报物价管理部门核准。 第七十七条 劳动争议和农业集体经济组织内部的农业承包合同纠纷的仲裁，另行规定。 第七十八条 本法施行前制定的有关仲裁的规定与本法的规定相抵触的，以本法为准。 第七十九条 本法施行前在直辖市、省、自治区人民政府所在地的市和其他设区的市设立的仲裁机构，应当依照本法的有关规定重新组建；未重新组建的，自本法施行之日起届满一年时终止。 本法施行前设立的不符合本法规定的其他仲裁机构，自本法施行之日起终止。 第八十条 本法自1995年9月1日起施行。 Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China (Adopted at the 8th Session of the Standing Committee of the 8thNational People's Congress and Promulgated on August 31, 1994) Whole document Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China (Adopted at the 8th Session of the Standing Committee of the 8th National People's Congress and Promulgated on August 31, 1994) Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 This Law is formulated in order to ensure that economic disputes shall be impartially and promptly arbitrated, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant parties and to guarantee the healthy development of the socialist market economy. Article 2 Disputes over contracts and disputes over property rights and interests between citizens, legal persons and other organizations as equal subjects of law may be submitted to arbitration. Article 3 The following disputes shall not be submitted to arbitration: 1. disputes over marriage, adoption, guardianship, child maintenance and inheritance; and 2. administrative disputes falling within the jurisdiction of the relevant administrative organs according to law. Article 4 The parties adopting arbitration for dispute settlement shall reach an arbitration agreement on a mutually voluntary basis. An arbitration commission shall not accept an application for arbitration submitted by one of the parties in the absence of an arbitration agreement. Article 5 A people's court shall not accept an action initiated by one of the parties if the parties have concluded an arbitration agreement, unless the arbitration agreement is invalid. Article 6 An arbitration commission shall be selected by the parties by agreement. The jurisdiction by level system and the district jurisdiction system shall not apply in arbitration. Article 7 Disputes shall be fairly and reasonably settled by arbitration on the basis of facts and in accordance with the relevant provisions of law. Article 8 Arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the law, independent of any intervention by administrative organs, social organizations or individuals. Article 9 The single ruling system shall be applied in arbitration. The arbitration commission shall not accept any application for arbitration, nor shall a people's court accept any action submitted by the party in respect of the same dispute after an arbitration award has already been given in relation to that matter. If the arbitration award is canceled or its enforcement has been disallowed by a people's court in accordance with the law, the parties may, in accordance with a new arbitration agreement between them in respect of the dispute, re-apply for arbitration or initiate legal proceedings with the people's court. Chapter II Arbitration Commissions and Arbitration Association Article 10 Arbitration commissions may be established in the municipalities directly under the Central Government, in the municipalities where the people's governments of provinces and autonomous regions are located or, if necessary, in other cities divided into districts. Arbitration commissions shall not be established at each level of the administrative divisions. The people's governments of the municipalities and cities specified in the above paragraph shall organize the relevant departments and the Chamber of Commerce for the formation of an arbitration commission. The establishment of an arbitration commission shall be registered with the judicial administrative department of the relevant province, autonomous region or municipalities directly under the Central Government. Article 11 An arbitration commission shall fulfil the following conditions: 1. it must have its own name, domicile and Articles of Association; 2. it must possess the necessary property; 3. it must have its own members; and 4. it must have arbitrators for appointment. The articles of association of the an arbitration commission shall be formulated in accordance with this Law. Article 12 An arbitration commission shall comprise a chairman, two to four vice-chairmen and seven to eleven members. The chairman, vice-chairmen and members of an arbitration commission must be persons specialized in law, economic and trade and persons who have actual working experience. The number of specialists in law, economic and trade shall not be less than two-thirds of the members of an arbitration association. Article 13 The arbitration commission shall appoint fair and honest person as its arbitrators. Arbitrators must fulfil one of the following conditions: 1. they have been engaged in arbitration work for at least eight years; 2. they have worked as a lawyer for at least eight years; 3. they have been a judge for at least eight years; 4. they are engaged in legal research or legal teaching and in senior positions; and 5. they have legal knowledge and are engaged in professional work relating to economics and trade, and in senior positions or of the equivalent professional level. The arbitration commission shall establish a list of arbitrators according to different professionals. Article 14 Arbitration commissions are independent of administrative organs and there are no subordinate relations with any administrative organs nor between the different arbitration commissions. Article 15 The China Arbitration Association is a social organization with the status of a legal person. Arbitration commissions are members of the China Arbitration Association. The Articles of Association of the China Arbitration Association shall be formulated by the national general meeting of the members. The China Arbitration Association is an organization in charge of self-regulation of the arbitration commissions. It shall conduct supervision over the conduct (any breach of discipline) of the arbitration commissions and their members and arbitrators in accordance with its articles of association. The China Arbitration Association shall formulate Arbitration Rules in accordance with this Law and the Civil Procedure Law. Chapter III Arbitration Agreement Article 16 An arbitration agreement shall include the arbitration clauses provided in the contract and any other written form of agreement concluded before or after the disputes providing for submission to arbitration. The following contents shall be included in an arbitration agreement: 1. the expression of the parties' wish to submit to arbitration; 2. the matters to be arbitrated; and 3. the Arbitration Commission selected by the parties. Article 17 An arbitration agreement shall be invalid under any of the following circumstances: 1. matters agreed upon for arbitration are beyond the scope of arbitration prescribed by law; 2. an arbitration agreement concluded by persons without or with limited capacity for civil acts; and 3. one party forces the other party to sign an arbitration agreement by means of duress. Article 18 If the arbitration matters or the arbitration commission are not agreed upon by the parties in the arbitration agreement, or, if the relevant provisions are not clear, the parties may supplement the agreement. If the parties fail to agree upon the supplementary agreement, the arbitration agreement shall be invalid. Article 19 An arbitration agreement shall exist independently. Any changes to, rescission, termination or invalidity of the contract shall not affect the validity of the arbitration agreement. An arbitration tribunal has the right to rule on the validity of a contract. Article 20 If the parties object to the validity of the arbitration agreement, they may apply to the arbitration commission for a decision or to a people's court for a ruling. If one of the parties submits to the arbitration commission for a decision, but the other party applies to a people's court for a ruling, the people's court shall give the ruling. If the parties contest the validity of the arbitration agreement, the objection shall be made before the start of the first hearing of the arbitration tribunal. Chapter IV Arbitration Procedure Section 1: Application and Acceptance for Arbitration Article 21 The parties applying for arbitration shall fulfil the following conditions: 1. they must have an arbitration agreement; 2. they must have a specific claim with facts and argument on which the claim is based; and 3. the arbitration must be within the jurisdiction of the arbitration commission. Article 22 The party applying for arbitration shall submit to an arbitration commission the arbitration agreement, an application for arbitration and copies thereof. Article 23 An arbitration application shall state clearly the following: 1. the name, sex, age, occupation, work unit and address of the party, the name address and legal representative of the legal person or other organization and the name and position of its person-in charge; 2. the arbitration claim and the facts and argument on which the claim is based; and 3. evidence and the source of evidence, the name and address of the witness (es). Article 24 Within 5 days from the date of receiving the arbitration application, the arbitration commission shall notify the parties that it considers the conditions for acceptance have been fulfilled, and that the application is accepted by it. If the arbitration commission considers that the conditions have not been fulfilled, it shall notify the parties in writing of its rejection, stating its reasons. Article 25 Upon acceptance of an arbitration application, the arbitration commission shall, within the time limit provided by the Arbitration Rules, serve a copy of the Arbitration Rules and the list of arbitrators on the applicant, and serve a copy of the arbitration application, the Arbitration Rules and the list of arbitrators on the respondent. Upon receipt of a copy of the arbitration application, the respondent shall, within the time limit prescribed by the Arbitration Rules, submit its defence to the arbitration commission. Upon receipt of the defence, the arbitration commission shall, within the time limit prescribed by the Arbitration Rules, serve a copy of the reply on the applicant. The failure of the respondent to submit a defence shall not affect the proceeding of the arbitration procedures. Article 26 Where the parties had agreed on an arbitration agreement, but one of the parties initiates an action before a people's court without stating the existence of the arbitration agreement, the people's court shall, unless the arbitration agreement is invalid, reject the action if the other party submits to the court the arbitration agreement before the first hearing of the case. If the other party fails to object to the hearing by the people's court before the first hearing, the arbitration agreement shall be considered to have been waived by the party and the people's court shall proceed with the hearing. Article 27 The applicant may abandon or alter his arbitration claim. The respondent may accept the arbitration claim or object to it. It has a right to make a counterclaim. Article 28 A party may apply for property preservation if, as the result of an act of the other party or for some other reasons, it appears that an award may be impossible or difficult to enforce. If one of the parties applies for property preservation, the arbitration commission shall submit to a people's court the application of the party in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law. If a property preservation order is unfounded, the applicant shall compensate the party against whom the order was made for any losses sustained as a result of the implementation of the property preservation order. Article 29 The parties and their legal representatives may appoint lawyers or engage agents to handle matters relating to the arbitration. In the event that a lawyer or an agent is appointed to handle the arbitration matters, a letter of authorization shall be submitted to the arbitration commission. Section 2: Composition of the Arbitration Tribunal Article 30 An arbitration tribunal may comprise three arbitrators or one arbitrator. If an arbitration tribunal comprises three arbitrators, a presiding arbitrator shall be appointed. Article 31 If the parties agree to form an arbitration tribunal comprising three arbitrators, each party shall select or authorize the chairmen of the arbitration commission to appoint one arbitrator. The third arbitrator shall be selected jointly by the parties or be nominated by the chairman of the arbitration commission in accordance with a joint mandate given by the parties. The third arbitrator shall be the presiding arbitrator. If the parties agree to have one arbitrator to form an arbitration tribunal, the arbitrator shall be selected jointly by the parties or be nominated by the chairman of the arbitration commission in accordance with a joint mandate given by the parties. Article 32 If the parties fail, within the time limit prescribed by the Arbitration Rules, to select the form of the constitution of the arbitration tribunal or fail to select the arbitrators, the arbitrators shall be appointed by the chairman of the arbitration commission. Article 33 After the arbitration tribunal is constituted, the arbitration commission shall notify the parties in writing of the composition of the arbitration tribunal. Article 34 In any of the following circumstances, an arbitrator must withdraw from the arbitration, and the parties shall have the right to apply for his withdrawal if he: 1. is a party or a close relative of a party or of a party's representative; 2. is related in the case; 3. has some other relationship with a party to the case or with a party's agent which could possibly affect the impartiality of the arbitration; 4. meets a party or his agent in private, accepts an invitation for dinner by a party or his representative or accepts gifts presented by any of them. Article 35 When applying for the withdrawal of an arbitrator, the petitioning party shall state his reasons and submit a withdrawal application before the first hearing. A withdrawal application may also be submitted before the conclusion of the last hearing if reasons for the withdrawal only became known after the start of the first hearing. Article 36 Whether an arbitrator is withdrawn or not shall be determined by the chairman of the arbitration commission. If chairman is serving as an arbitrator, the withdrawal or not shall be determined collectively by the arbitration commission. Article 37 If an arbitrator is unable to perform his duties as an arbitrator as a result of the withdrawal or any other reasons, another arbitrator shall be selected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Law. After a replaced arbitrator has been selected or appointed following the withdrawal of an arbitrator, the parties may apply to resume the arbitration procedure. The arbitration tribunal shall determine whether the resumption of the procedure may be allowed. The arbitration tribunal may determine on its own whether the arbitration procedure shall be resumed. Article 38 An arbitrator involved in one of the circumstances described in Item 4, Article 34, if it is serious, or those described in Item 6, Article 58, such arbitrator shall be legally liable in accordance with the law. The arbitration commission shall remove his name from the list of arbitrators. Section 3: Hearing and Arbitral Awards Article 39 An arbitration tribunal shall hold a tribunal session to hear an arbitration case. If the parties agree not to hold a hearing, the arbitration tribunal may render an award in accordance with the arbitration application, the defence statement and other documents. Article 40 An arbitration shall not be conducted in public. If the parties agree to a public hearing, the arbitration may proceed in public, except those concerning state secrets. Article 41 The arbitration commission shall notify the two parties within the time limit provided by the Arbitration Rules of the date of the hearing. Either party may request to postpone the hearing with in the time limit provided by the Arbitration Rules if there is a genuine reason. The arbitration tribunal shall decide whether to postpone the hearing. Article 42 If the applicant for arbitration who has been given a notice in writing does not appear before the tribunal without good reasons, or leaves the tribunal room during a hearing without the permission of the arbitration tribunal, such applicant shall be deemed as having withdrawn his application. If the party against whom the application was made was served with a notice in writing but does not appear before the tribunal without due reasons or leaves the tribunal room during a hearing without the permission of the arbitration tribunal, an award by default may be given. Article 43 The parties shall produce evidence in support of their claims. An arbitration tribunal may collect on its own evidence it considers necessary. Article 44 For specialized matters, an arbitration tribunal may submit for appraisal to an appraisal organ agreed upon by the parties or to the appraisal organ appointed by the arbitration tribunal if it deems such appraisal to be necessary. According to the claim of the parties or the request of the arbitration tribunal, the appraisal organ shall appoint an appraiser to participate in the hearing. Upon the permission of the arbitration tribunal, the parties may question the appraiser. Article 45 Any evidence shall be produced at the start of the hearing. The parties may challenge the validity of such evidence. Article 46 In the event that the evidence might be destroyed or if it would be difficult to obtain the evidence later on, the parties may apply for the evidence to be preserved. If the parties apply for such preservation, the arbitration commission shall submit the application to the basic-level people's court of the place where the evidence is located. Article 47 The parties have the right to argue during an arbitration procedure. At the end of the debate, the presiding arbitrator or the sole arbitrator shall ask for the final opinion of the parties. Article 48 An arbitration tribunal shall make a written record of the hearing. If the parties or other participants to the arbitration consider that the record has omitted a part of their statement or is incorrect in some other respect, they shall have the right to request correction thereof. If no correction is made, the request for correction shall be noted in the written record. The arbitrators, recorder, parties and other participants to the arbitration shall sign or affix their seals to the record. Article 49 After the submission of an arbitration application, the parties may settle the dispute among themselves through conciliation. If a conciliation agreement has been reached, the parties may apply to the arbitration tribunal for an award based on the conciliation agreement. Then may also withdraw the arbitration application. Article 50 If the parties fall back on their words after the conclusion of a conciliation agreement and the withdrawal of the arbitration application, application may be made for arbitration in accordance with the arbitration agreement. Article 51 Before giving an award, an arbitration tribunal may first attempt to conciliate. If the parties apply for conciliation voluntarily, the arbitration tribunal shall conciliate. If conciliation is unsuccessful, an award shall be made promptly. When a settlement agreement is reached by conciliation, the arbitration tribunal shall prepare the conciliation statement or the award on the basis of the results of the settlement agreement. A conciliation statement shall have the same legal force as that of an award. Article 52 A conciliation statement shall set forth the arbitration claims and the results of the agreement between the parties. The conciliation statement shall be signed by the arbitrators, sealed by the arbitration commission, and served on both parties. A conciliation statement shall have legal effect once signed and accepted by the parties. If the parties fall back on their words before the conciliation statement is singed and accepted by them, an award shall be made by the arbitration tribunal promptly. Article 53 An award shall be based on the opinion of the majority arbitrators. The opinion of the minority arbitrators shall be recorded in writing. If an opinion of the minority arbitrators shall be recorded in writing. If an opinion of the majority arbitrators can not be constituted at the tribunal, the award shall be given according to the opinion of the presiding arbitrator. Article 54 The arbitration claims, the matters in dispute, the grounds upon which an award is given, the results of the judgement, the responsibility for the arbitration fees and the date of the award shall be set forth in the award. If the parties agree not to include in the award the matters in dispute and the grounds on which the award is based, such matters may not be stated in the award. The award shall be signed by the arbitrators and sealed by the arbitration commission. The arbitrator who disagrees with the award may select to sign or not to sign it. Article 55 During the course of arbitration by an arbitration tribunal, where a part of facts has been made clear, a partial award may first be given in relation to that part. Article 56 The parties may, within 30 days of the receipt of the award, request the arbitration tribunal to correct any typographical errors, calculation errors or matters which had been awarded but omitted in the award. Article 57 An award shall be legally effective on the date it is given. Chapter V Application for Cancellation of an Award Article 58 The parties may apply to the intermediate people's court at the place where the arbitration commission is located for cancellation of an award if they provide evidence proving that the award involves one of the following circumstances: 1. there is no arbitration agreement between the parties; 2. the matters of the award are beyond the extent of the arbitration agreement or not within the jurisdiction of the arbitration commission; 3. the composition of the arbitration tribunal or the arbitration procedure is in contrary to the legal procedure; 4. the evidence on which the award is based is falsified; 5. the other party has concealed evidence which is sufficient to affect the impartiality of the award; and 6. the arbitrator(s) has (have) demanded or accepted bribes, committed graft or perverted the law in making the arbitral award. The peoples' court shall rule to cancel the award if the existence of one of the circumstances prescribed in the preceding clause is confirmed by its collegiate bench. The people's court shall rule to cancel the award if it holds that the award is contrary to the social and public interests. Article 59 If a party applies for cancellation of an award, an application shall be submitted within 6 months after receipt of the award. Article 60 The people's court shall, within 2 months after receipt of the application for cancellation of an award, render its decision for cancellation of the award or for rejection of the application. Article 61 If the people's court holds that the case may be re-arbitrated by the arbitration tribunal after receipt of the application for cancellation of an award, the court shall inform the arbitration tribunal of re-arbitrating the case within a certain period of time and rule to suspend the cancellation procedure. If the arbitration tribunal refuses to re-arbitrate, the people's court shall rule to resume the cancellation procedure. Chapter VI Enforcement Article 62 The parties shall execute an arbitration award. If one party fails to execute the award, the other party may apply to a people's court for enforcement in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law, and the court shall enforce the award. Article 63 A people's court shall, after examination and verification by its collegiate bench, rule not to enforce an award if the party against whom an application for enforcement is made provides evidence proving that the award involves one of the circumstances prescribed in Clause 2, Article 217 of the Civil procedure Law. Article 64 If one party applies for enforcement of an award while the other party applies for cancellation of the award, the people's court receiving such application shall rule to suspend enforcement of the award. If a people's court rules to cancel an award, it shall rule to terminate enforcement. If the people's court overrules the application for cancellation of an award, it shall rule to resume enforcement. Chapter VII Special provisions on Foreign-Related Arbitration Article 65 The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all arbitration of disputes arising from foreign economic, trade, transportation or maritime matters. In the absence of provisions in this Chapter, other relevant provisions of this Law shall apply. Article 66 A foreign arbitration commission may be organized and established by the China International Chamber of Commerce. A foreign arbitration commission shall comprise one chairman, several vice-chairmen and several committee members. The chairman, vice-chairmen and committee members may be appointed by the China International Chamber of Commerce. Article 67 A foreign arbitration commission may appoint foreigners with professional knowledge in such fields as law, economic and trade, science and technology as arbitrators. Article 68 If the parties to a foreign-related arbitration apply for evidence preservation, the foreign arbitration commission shall submit their applications to the intermediate people's court in the place where the evidence is located. Article 69 The arbitration tribunal of a foreign arbitration commission may record the details of the hearing in writing or record the essentials of the hearing in writing. The written record of the essentials shall be signed or sealed by the parties and other participants in the arbitration. Article 70 A people's court shall, after examination and verification by its collegiate bench, rule to cancel an award if a party to the case provides evidence proving that the arbitration award involves one of the circumstances prescribed in Clause 1, Article 260 of the Civil Procedure Law. Article 71 A people's court shall, after examination and verification by its collegiate bench, rule not to enforce an award-if the party against whom an application is made provides evidence proving that the arbitration award involves one of the circumstances prescribed in Clause 1, Article 260 of the Civil Procedure Law. Article 72 Where the party subject to enforcement or its property is not within the territory of the People's Republic of China, a party applying for the enforcement of a legally effective arbitration award shall apply directly to the foreign court having jurisdiction for recognition and enforcement of the award. Article 73 Foreign arbitration rules may be formulated by the China International Chamber of Commerce in accordance with this Law and the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law. Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions Article 74 If the law has stipulated a time limitation of arbitration, such provisions of the law shall apply. If the law has not stipulated a time limitation of arbitration, the provisions on the limitation of actions shall apply. Article 75 The arbitration Commission may formulate provisional arbitration rules in accordance with this Law and the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law before the formulation of the arbitration rules by the China Arbitration Association. Article 76 The parties shall pay arbitration fees in accordance with the relevant provisions. The methods for the collection of arbitration fees shall be submitted to the commodity prices administration department for approval. Article 77 Arbitration of labor disputes and disputes over contracts for undertaking agricultural projects within agricultural collective economic organizations shall be separately stipulated. Article 78 In the event of conflict between the provisions on arbitration formulated before the coming into effect of this Law and the provisions of this Law, the provisions of this Law shall prevail. Article 79 Arbitration organs established before the coming into effect of this Law in the municipalities directly under the Central Government, in the municipalities where the people's governments of the provinces or autonomous regions and in other cities divided into districts must be re-organized in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law. The arbitration organs which are not re-organized shall be terminated at the expiration of one year after the date of effectiveness of this Law. All other arbitration organs established before the implementation of this Law and not conforming to the provisions of this Law shall be terminated on the date of effectiveness of this Law. Article 80 This Law shall be effective as of September 1, 1995.