Guide to completing the Notice of Arb-med

Before completing the Notice of Arb-Med, please carefully read these guidance notes.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This Notice of Arb-Med is to be used where the Parties to the dispute have previously agreed to refer any dispute to Arbitration under the BDT Arb-Med Rules, typically by including the BDT Arb-Med Model Clause in their agreement/contract.

Where Parties have not previously agreed to refer any dispute to Arbitration under the BDT Arb-Med Rules, they must execute an Arb-Med Agreement in the form found at Appendix 2 to the BDT Arb-Med Rules to proceed.

Parties who execute an Arb-Med Agreement in the form found at Appendix 2 to the BDT Arb-Med Rules do not need to complete and serve this Notice of Arb-Med, and can immediately apply for the appointment of the Arbitral Tribunal using BDT’s online application form.

The Parties and their Representatives

Set out the full names and contact details for each of the Parties and their Representatives, including a current email address for each as that will be the primary means of communication used by the Registry.

Ensure that you correctly name/identify any Party. For example, the full and correct named Company – not its trading name or the name of any individual you have been dealing with. If the contract is with a ‘trust’, name each of the trustees in their capacity as trustees of the trust as the Party to the Arb-Med proceeding ie, A and B as trustees of the XYZ trust.

Ensure that all relevant Parties (and their Representatives, where known) are included in the Notice of Arb-Med.

Multiple Parties

If there are multiple Parties, adjust this template to provide details for each Party.

Arb-Med Agreement

Specify:

(a) the Arb-Med Agreement that is being invoked; and

(b) the contract, legal instrument or the relationship out of, or in relation to which, the dispute arises.

The Parties must have agreed to arbitrate under the BDT Arb-Med Rules. It is essential to have a duly executed Arb-Med Agreement before you proceed.

The following BDT clause (or a similar effect) may be included in contract:

Any dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with this contract, or the subject matter of this contract, including any question about its existence, validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in accordance with the Arb-Med Rules of the Building Disputes Tribunal.

If so, all that is required is to attach a copy of the clause and a copy of the execution page of the contract to the Notice of Arb-Med.

Otherwise, if the Parties have not incorporated the BDT Model Arb-Med Clause into a prior agreement they can refer the dispute to Arbitration under the BDT Arb-Med Rules by signing the Arb-Med Agreement at Appendix 2 to the Rules. After executing that agreement, the Parties immediately apply for the appointment of an Arbitral Tribunal using BDT’s online application form. There is no need to complete this Notice of Arb-Med.

The Dispute

Set out a summary of the dispute. Sufficient information must be given so that every other Party and BDT are informed of the nature of the dispute and the issues that will be raised in the Arb-Med proceeding.

This information assists BDT where it is required to select and appoint an arbitrator under the Rules.

The relief of remedy sought

Specify the relief or remedy that you seek ie, the payment of money or declaratory relief.

This enables every other Party to be clear of what the Claimant is seeking, and each Respondent to understand the scope and nature of claim(s) made against it.

Proposal as to composition of Arbitral Tribunal

You may specify the name and details of any person you propose to act as an arbitrator, or the experience/expertise that you consider would be necessary/helpful for an arbitrator to have.

It is not essential that you propose anyone to act as an arbitrator, or for the Parties to try and agree on the composition of the Arbitral Tribunal. BDT’s Registrars are experienced in selecting and appointing arbitrators, and in the vast majority of cases, BDT will select and appoint the Arbitral Tribunal.

Making an application to BDT

The Claimant may, after the expiry of ten working days from the date of service of the Notice of Arb-Med on every other Party, or earlier if the Parties have agreed on a nominee or the Parties have signed the Arb-Med Agreement in the form found at Appendix 2 to the BDT Arb-Med Rules, apply to BDT to appoint the Arbitral Tribunal by completing an Application for Arb-Med. The Application must include:

(a) the Arb-Med Agreement;

(b) the Notice of Arb-Med (if relevant);

(c) any document recording the Parties’ agreement as to the composition of the Arbitral Tribunal, or, where no agreement has been reached:

i. any proposal as to the composition of the Arbitral Tribunal, and if it exists, any response to that proposal; and

ii. any document recording the Parties’ agreement as to the preferred expertise of the Arbitral Tribunal, or where no agreement has been reached, any proposal as to the preferred expertise of the Arbitral Tribunal and, if it exists, any response to that proposal.

The Application may be made online.

Legal advice

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your legal rights and obligations, we strongly recommend that you take independent legal advice from a lawyer experienced in mediation and arbitration.

We suggest you try NZLS’ Find a Lawyer to locate someone who is able to provide the advice you require here.

Notice of Arb-Med

[CLAIMANT] hereby gives written notice of its intention to refer a dispute with [RESPONDENT] to Arbitration in accordance with the Arb-Med Rules of the Building Disputes Tribunal.
 

The Parties

First Party:
Attention:
Address for service:
Phone:
Email:
Representative:
Name of firm:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Second Party:
Attention:
Address for service:
Phone:
Email:
Representative:
Name of firm:
Address:
Phone:
Email:

Arb-Med Agreement

The dispute has arisen out of, or in relation to, [name the legal instrument or relationship out of, or in relation to which, the dispute arises].

The parties’ agreement to arbitrate under the BDT Arb-Med Rules is [identify the Arb-Med Agreement].

(Copy of Arb-Med Agreement attached) 

Dispute

[Set out a brief description of the nature of the dispute]

Relief or remedy sought

[CLAIMANT] seeks the following relief or remedy:

Proposal as to composition of arbitral tribunal

[CLAIMANT] makes the following proposal regarding the identity and/or experience or expertise of the Arbitral Tribunal:

Dated this
Day of
(month)
(year)
Signed
Name

Download template

Click the link below to download our comprehensive guide and template.