The CEPANI 2026 Arbitration Rules

The Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (“CEPANI”) has adopted revised Arbitration Rules, which will enter into force on 1 June 2026 (“2026 CEPANI Arbitration Rules”). CEPANI states that the revision is intended to provide users with a more “modern, clear, and efficient” dispute resolution mechanism, with a particular focus on digitalisation, multiparty proceedings, sustainability, diversity and inclusion.¹

Applicability

The 2026 CEPANI Arbitration Rules will apply to arbitrations commenced on or after 1 June 2026, unless the parties have expressly agreed that another version of the Rules should apply.

Article 7.1 provides that, by agreeing to arbitration under the CEPANI Arbitration Rules, parties submit to the Rules and Schedules in effect on the date of commencement of the arbitration, unless they have expressly agreed to apply the Rules in force on the date of their arbitration agreement.²