The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) have signed a co-operation agreement aimed at strengthening ties between the two institutions to promote effective dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement contemplates the sharing of facilities, services, information and expertise to facilitate arbitral hearings and meetings in the Hague and Australia.

The agreement has been concluded against the background of the Australian government's current review of arbitration legislation (see Legal update, Australia: important developments in 2009). The PCA is also negotiating with the Australian government with a view to establishing Australia as a host country for PCA arbitrations.