SPC Issues Interpretation On Jurisdictional Issues Arising From CIETAC Split

In a welcome development, the PRC Supreme People's Court (the "SPC") issued on July 15, 2015 an interpretation addressing various jurisdictional issues arising from the decision in mid-2012 of the former CIETAC Shanghai and South China Sub-Commissions to become independent arbitral commissions. The interpretation provides valuable guidance from the SPC on the jurisdiction of CIETAC and the former CIETAC Shanghai and South China Sub-Commissions over disputes referred to arbitration administered by the "CIETAC Shanghai Sub-Commission" or the "CIETAC South China Sub-Commission."¹ The interpretation offers welcome clarification of the jurisdictional issues arising from the split, and may help to restore confidence among users of PRC arbitral commissions.