Background

The London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation, or LCAM, is a London-based body providing administrative services in relation to the settlement of disputes. It has been established under the auspices of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). LCCI was established in 1882 with one of its expressed objectives being ‘the undertaking of arbitration, the settlement of disputes arising out of trade, commerce or manufacture’.

Although it may appear to be a relatively new entrant, the LCAM is in fact a relaunched version of the arbitration scheme founded by LCCI in 1903, under what was then called the London Chamber of Arbitration. It was supported by the City of London Corporation and the Institute of Arbitrators also participated in the scheme’s management. Until 28 November 2016, bylaw 6.01 of the London Chamber of Commerce provided that disputes referred to the Chamber for arbitration were deemed to be references to arbitration under the LCIA Rules. Only a small number of arbitrations