Chapter II: Arbitration proceedings and awards

The arbitration agreement may, directly or by reference to arbitration rules or rules of procedure, regulate the procedure to be followed in the arbitral proceedings. Where the arbitration agreement is silent, the arbitral tribunal shall regulate the procedure as far as is necessary, either directly or by reference to arbitration rules or rules of procedure.

Whichever procedure is chosen, the arbitral tribunal guarantees the equality of the parties and respects the principle of contradiction.

The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance with the rules of law chosen by the parties or, failing that, in accordance with those it considers appropriate. It shall, in all cases, take into account the usages of the trade.

The arbitral tribunal shall decide in amiable composition if the parties have entrusted it with this task.

If the arbitration agreement is silent, the award shall be made by a majority of votes. It shall be signed by all the arbitrators. However, if a minority of them refuse to sign it, the others shall mention this in the award. In the absence of a majority, the chairman of the arbitral tribunal shall decide alone. If the other arbitrators refuse to sign, the chairman shall mention this in…