Chapter III: Arbitration proceedings

The arbitral tribunal may, if appropriate, stay the proceedings. Such decision shall suspend the course of the proceedings for such time or until the occurrence of such event as it shall determine. The arbitral tribunal may, depending on the circumstances, revoke the stay or shorten the time limit.

Unless otherwise agreed, the arbitral proceedings shall also be suspended in the event of the death, impediment, abstention, resignation, challenge or removal of an arbitrator until the arbitrator appointed to replace him accepts his assignment. The new arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with the procedures agreed between the parties or, failing that, in accordance with those which governed the appointment of the arbitrator whom he replaces.

The interruption or suspension of the proceedings shall not relieve the arbitral tribunal of its jurisdiction. The arbitral tribunal may invite the parties to inform it of their initiatives with a view to resuming the proceedings or putting an end to the causes of interruption or suspension. If the parties fail to do so, it may terminate the proceedings.

The proceedings shall resume in the state they were in at the time they were interrupted or suspended when the causes of their interruption or suspension cease to exist. When proceedings are resumed and by way of exception to Article 1463, the arbitral tribunal may decide that the time limit for the proceedings shall be extended for a period not exceeding six months.

The arbitral tribunal shall fix the date on which the deliberation will be pronounced. During the deliberation, no claim may be made, no plea raised and no exhibit produced, except at the request of the arbitral tribunal.

The expiry of the arbitration period shall result in the termination of the arbitral proceedings.