Case Administration

The PCA regularly provides administrative services in support of parties and arbitrators conducting arbitral proceedings under the PCA’s auspices, serving as the official channel of communications and ensuring safe custody of documents. The PCA can also provide such services as financial administration, logistical and technical support for meetings and hearings, travel arrangements, and general secretarial and linguistic support. In addition, a staff member of the International Bureau may be appointed as registrar or administrative secretary for a case and carry out administrative tasks at the direction of the arbitral tribunal.

Parties may agree or tribunals may request that the PCA provide any of the following registry services:

  • transmitting oral and written communications from the parties to the arbitral tribunal and vice-versa and between the parties;
  • maintaining an archive of filings and correspondence;
  • making all arrangements concerning the amounts of the arbitrators’ fees and advance deposits to be made on account of such fees in consultation with the parties and the arbitrators;
  • holding the party deposits and disbursing tribunal fees and expenses;
  • assisting the arbitral tribunal to establish the date, time and place of hearings, and giving such advance notice thereof to the parties as the tribunal determines;
  • making its hearing and meeting rooms in the Peace Palace or elsewhere available to the parties and the arbitral tribunal at no charge (costs relating to catering, court reporting, or other support associated with hearings or meetings at the Peace Palace or elsewhere shall be borne by the parties);
  • making arrangements for transcription, recording, interpretation, translation, catering, or other support associated with hearings or meetings at the Peace Palace or elsewhere, the costs of which shall be borne by the parties;
  • assisting with travel and hotel reservations, as well as procurement of visas; and
  • carrying out any other tasks entrusted to it by the parties or the arbitral tribunal.

As mentioned above, the PCA’s hearing facilities in the Peace Palace in The Hague are available to parties in PCA-administered proceedings at no charge. The PCA can also arrange facilities for hearings at various locations around the world pursuant to its Host Country Agreements with various Contracting Parties and cooperation agreements with other arbitral institutions.

More information on the PCA’s Hearing Facilities and Fees and Costs can be found using the links below.

More information on the PCA’s Host Country Agreements and Cooperation Agreements can be found in the External Relations section.