This Practice Note provides guidance on Costs pursuant to The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) Administered Arbitration Rules 2018 (the 2018 HKIAC Rules; HKIAC 2018).

As discussed in Practice Note: HKIAC (2018)—the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules—application and key features, the 2018 HKIAC Rules apply (generally) to HKIAC arbitrations commenced on or after 1 November 2018, unless the parties agree otherwise; for HKIAC arbitrations commenced before 1 November 2018, the 2013 HKIAC Rules will apply (generally), unless the parties agreed otherwise. A dedicated ‘2018 Schedule of Fees’ applies to arbitrations administered in accordance with the 2018 HKIAC Rules. HKIAC also issued two Practice Notes on Costs of Arbitration, based on HKIAC 2018, Sch 2/hourly rates and Sch 3/sums in dispute (the Practice Notes on Costs), which are effective from 11 March 2019, and apply unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

For an introduction to the HKIAC and its structure, see Practice Note: HKIAC—background to and structure of the institution.

In any arbitration, parties and their advisers should be concerned at all times to monitor the costs