The international arm of the AAA, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), has published new guidelines on the exchange of information in international arbitrations. The guidelines aim to enhance the efficiency of arbitration by discouraging excessive document production. They also contain provisions addressing the disclosure of electronic documents.
Unless the parties agree otherwise, the guidelines will be effective in all international cases administered by the ICDR and commenced after 31 May 2008. They may also be adopted, at the discretion of the tribunal, in pending cases, and are likely to be reflected in amendments incorporated into the next revision of the International Arbitration Rules.