Six “Mediation + Arbitration” Mechanisms

i. SCIA Mediation + SCIA Arbitration

To address market needs, the SCIA established the SCIA Mediation Center in 2008 and formulated mediation rules and panel of mediators. Meanwhile, according to the SCIA Arbitration Rules, upon parties’ consent, the parties may either request the arbitral tribunal to mediate the dispute during the arbitration proceedings, or request the SCIA Mediation Center to conduct mediation before or during the arbitration proceedings. and may apply for the arbitral tribunal to make an award in accordance with the settlement agreement. The parties can also apply to the arbitral tribunal to render an award in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement.

ii. Chamber of Commerce Mediation + SCIA Arbitration

Since 2007, the SCIA has supported—several institutions to set up its mediation center to resolve disputes involving their members, i.e. the Shenzhen Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, the Guangdong Federation of Industry & Commerce, the Shenzhen Federation of Industry & Commerce, the Shenzhen Real Estate Association, and the Shenzhen Urban Renewal Association. If the mediation is successful, the parties can agree to submit the settlement agreement to the SCIA to request that an arbitral award be rendered in accordance with the Arbitration Rules and based on the terms of the settlement agreement.

iii. Trade Fair Mediation + SCIA Arbitration

As the only arbitration institution designated by the PRC Ministry of Commerce, the SCIA, together with the China Foreign Trade Center (CFTC), created an on-site dispute resolution service that combines mediation and arbitration, allowing international trade and intellectual property disputes to be resolved on-site at the Canton Fair since 2007. By 2022, SCIA’s arbitration and mediation services at the Canton Fair had reached 120 countries and regions around the world, helping create a more orderly international trade landscape. This mechanism was also adopted at the China Hi-Tech Fair.

iv. Overseas Mediation + Shenzhen Arbitration

The SCIA established a commercial mediation committee with the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association (HKCEA) in 2009. And in 2022 under the framework of the Singapore-China (Shenzhen) Smart City Initiative, the SCIA and the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) agreed on an SIMC-SCIA Med-Arb Protocol that would enable cross-border commercial disputes to be resolved in an amiable, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

v. Guangdong, Hong Kong & Macao Arbitration & Mediation Alliance

In 2013, the SCIA launched the Alliance, bringing together 18 major commercial arbitration and mediation institutions in the region to introduce dedicated rules and panel of mediators. The Alliance pivots on Shenzhen’s arbitration services as the final step in resolving cross-border disputes following mediation in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR.

vi. "Four-in-One" Dispute Resolution Model for Capital Markets

In 2013, the SCIA launched the Shenzhen Securities and Futures Industry Dispute Mediation Center together with the Shenzhen Office of the SCRC, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and representative industry associations in the capital market. Bringing mediation, arbitration, self-discipline and administrative regulation under one roof, the Shenzhen Securities and Futures Industry Dispute Mediation Center has since helped resolve a large volume of capital market disputes in an efficient and affordable manner, contributing to a more robust and orderly Chinese capital market.