The Israeli Institute of Commercial Arbitration (IICA) was founded in 1989 by the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce.
Prof. Smadar Ottolenghi (of blessed memory) was one of the founders of the IICA and served as its first President for nearly thirteen years. Today, the President of the IICA is the Adv. Menashe Cohen.
The Israel Institute of Business Arbitration is the first institution in Israel for arbitration and dispute resolution and has become the leading arbitration and dispute settlement Institution in Israel. The Arbitration Institute is the only public institution in Israel in the field of arbitration.
The Israeli Institute of Business Arbitration provides an efficient and reliable organizational framework for settling disputes through arbitration and mediation: from the appointment of arbitrators in accordance with the type of dispute (accounting, real estate, taxes, commercial, international disputes, etc.) from a list of arbitrators who are among the first rank of arbitrators in Israel (Retired Judges, Senior lawyers, accountants, engineers and other experts), through the management of arbitration according to clear and fair rules (especially timetables, ethics and even the possibility of appeal), and reasonable and fair arbitration fees.
During its years of existence, the IICA has acquired substantial experience, and it has administered thousands of arbitration cases in all areas of business and in all fields of law, including real estate, corporate disputes, media, construction, business transactions and more.
Our Arbitration Process
There are several ways to initiate arbitration before the IICA:
- Through an arbitration agreement
- Through the parties’ written agreement
- Pursuant to a court order
Appointment of the Arbitrator
The arbitrator is appointed by the President of the IICA in one of the following two manners:
- After receipt of the pleadings (or description of the dispute) from the parties, the arbitrator can be selected from the roster of IICA arbitrators. The parties select the most suitable arbitrator, on the bases of his or her skills, experience, and fields of expertise.
- Based on the parties’ joint request, from a roster of recommended arbitrators, which is compiled specifically for those parties based upon the facts of their dispute.
The advantage of the aforementioned methods of appointment is that the arbitrator selected is experienced and knowledgeable in the issues in dispute.
What is Arbitration?
Arbitration is the resolution of disputes through adjudication by an arbitrator instead of in court. In order for a matter to be brought before an arbitrator, both parties must give their consent in writing. Such consent may be expressed prior to a dispute arising, such as through an arbitration clause in a contract, or it can be expressed in a subsequent agreement after a dispute has arisen.
The arbitration process ends with an arbitral award, which may be submitted to court for confirmation. A court-approved arbitral award has the same legal standing as a court judgment, and it may be enforced through the Execution Office.
What is a Mediation?
Mediation means bringing about a resolution through consent. The mediation process does not result in any adjudication. The purpose of the mediation process is to reach a resolution acceptable to both parties.
A successful mediation process ends in the parties’ agreement, which may also be submitted to court in order for it to be given the force of a judgment.