Beyond The Terms Of Reference: Key Changes In The 2026 ICC Rules

Overview

Having celebrated the centenary of the ICC Court of Arbitration in 2023 and registered its 30,000th case under the ICC Arbitration Rules at the end of 2025, the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) is not resting on its laurels as the world’s leading arbitral institution. On 1 June 2026, the new ICC Rules of Arbitration (the “2026 Rules”)¹ entered into force, replacing the 2021 Arbitration Rules.² The 2026 Rules will apply to arbitrations filed on or after that date, regardless of when the underlying arbitration agreement was concluded, unless the parties agree otherwise. The exception is the increased monetary threshold for the Expedited Procedure Provisions, which applies only to arbitration agreements concluded on or after 1 June 2026. This article summarises the key changes introduced by the 2026 Rules and considers their practical implications for parties involved in international arbitration.