The Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (CEPANI) has approved a revised set of arbitration rules designed to modernize dispute resolution procedures and reflect the growing shift toward digital legal practice.
The updated rules, endorsed by CEPANI’s Board of Directors, are set to come into force on June 1, 2026. They introduce a more streamlined procedural framework, with a strong emphasis on fully electronic proceedings. Under the new provisions, arbitration cases may be conducted entirely online, incorporating virtual hearings, digital submissions and the electronic signing of arbitral awards.
The revisions also clarify rules governing multiparty proceedings, an area that has increasingly gained prominence in complex commercial disputes. By addressing these procedural aspects, CEPANI aims to provide greater certainty and efficiency for users navigating arbitration involving multiple stakeholders.
The Brussels-based institution said the updated rules are intended to meet the expectations of modern arbitration users seeking clearer, faster and more technologically adaptable dispute resolution mechanisms, as institutions worldwide continue to evolve alongside advances in digital communication.