The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has announced a consultation, seeking views on proposed amendments to the 2018 HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules. Proposed amendments include the addition of a provision to promote diversity in arbitral appointments, improvements to the mechanism under which a single arbitration could proceed under multiple contracts, clarification of the arbitral tribunal’s powers to address preliminary issues, the addition of provisions on information security, and lastly, clarification of the powers of an emergency arbitrator. The amendments also address the improvement of HKIAC’s role in matters concerning the integrity of the arbitral process, including appointment of arbitrators, revocation of their mandates, and determination of tribunal fees. The consultation closes on 23 February 2024.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has announced the establishment of its Beijing Representative Office, marking a significant milestone as the first offshore arbitration institution to set up in Beijing. Set to open on 16 December 2024, the new office will complement HKIAC's existing Shanghai presence, focusing on capacity-building, training, and fostering exchanges within China's arbitration community. The move builds on HKIAC's strong reputation in China-related arbitrations, with 40% of its cases involving Mainland Chinese parties. HKIAC's diverse governance structure and bilingual capabilities position it well to serve both Chinese and international clients. This expansion aims to further HKIAC's role in advancing international arbitration by bridging Chinese and global practitioners as Beijing develops as an international dispute resolution centre.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has doubled the monetary threshold for its expedited procedure from HK$25m to HK$50m and increased registration fees from HK$8,000 to HK$10,000—the first change in 12 years. The arbitrator hourly rate cap rises from HK$6,500 to HK$7,500, marking the first adjustment since 2013. Changes take effect on 1 January 2026 for cases under HKIAC's Administered Arbitration Rules. HKIAC also released a study of arbitrator hourly rates across over 1,400 appointments during a five-year period.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has announced the launch of 'the Hub', a new initiative connecting arbitrators with legal technology providers through demonstrations, workshops and training sessions. The programme aims to accelerate technology adoption in arbitration by addressing practical challenges and fostering knowledge exchange. The initiative follows HKIAC's recent technological developments, including its 2024 Administered Arbitration Rules with enhanced information security measures and its partnership with Jus Mundi to provide AI-powered case abstracts. Legal tech providers can apply for the 2025-2026 programme, with priority given to tools designed for individual arbitrators.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has published its case statistics for 2023. HKIAC reported that in 2023, a total of 500 matters were submitted, with 281 matters being arbitrations and 184 of these arbitrations being administered by HKIAC. HKIAC noted that the average amount in dispute in its administered arbitrations was approximately $US 60.1m, which represented a record high for HKIAC. The arbitrations featured parties from 63 jurisdictions and continued to be predominantly international with the majority of arbitrations being seated in Hong Kong. HKIAC hosted 101 hearings and appointed 172 arbitrators in 2023 including 59 arbitrators who had not been previously appointed by HKIAC in the last three years.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has released the 2024 Administered Arbitration Rules. The rules will come into force on 1 June 2024. The new rules include provision to encourage diversity in arbitrations, tighter time limits on closing proceedings and rendering awards, requirements for information security to be considered in the arbitration conduct and enhancement of HKIAC’S power to preserve efficiency and integrity of the arbitration.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has published its 2024 caseload statistics. The HKIAC registered a total of 503 matters, 352 were arbitrations arising from 510 contracts. Of the 352 arbitrations, 249 were administered under its Arbitration Rules. The remaining matters consisted of 143 domain name disputes and eight applications for appointment of mediator. The total amount in dispute across all arbitrations reached $106bn. The statistics demonstrate HKIAC’s global reach, with parties from 53 jurisdictions. The report also highlighted progress in gender diversity, with women comprising 69 of all appointments and 199 of appointments made directly by HKIAC.

Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has released its 2025 statistics, reporting 582 new cases, including a record 388 arbitrations, its highest ever number and a 10% increase on 2024’s 352, alongside nine mediations and 185 domain name disputes. The total amount in dispute in arbitration cases was HK$126.2bn, and 84.3% of arbitrations were international in nature. Corporate disputes accounted for the largest share of cases (23.6%), followed by maritime disputes (19.9%) and sale of goods disputes (14.2%). The data also shows 410 arbitrator appointments and confirmations during the year, a slight decrease from 419 in 2024, and covers interim measures applications, emergency arbitrator applications and expedited procedures.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has published a Practice Note explaining its approach to assessing the compatibility of arbitration clauses in multi-party and multi-contract scenarios under the 2018 and 2024 HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules. The document, which does not amend the Rules, provides guidance on HKIAC's practices when deciding on consolidation of arbitrations or permitting single arbitrations under multiple contracts. It includes examples of compatible and incompatible clauses, offers drafting recommendations, and explains how HKIAC balances party autonomy, procedural integrity, and equal treatment. The Practice Note aims to enhance understanding of HKIAC's application of Articles 28 and 29, particularly in light of the 2024 Rules that came into effect on 1 June 2024.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has published a new policy setting out its general practice in respect of HKIAC proceedings taking place in Hong Kong, which are affected by a sanctions regime or involve a sanctioned individual or entity.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has published a study on arbitrators’ hourly rates in HKIAC-administered arbitrations and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) arbitrations over a five-year review period (1 January 2020–31 December 2024). The report, based on over 1,400 appointments and confirmations, shows that hourly rates generally correlate with the amount in dispute, with presiding arbitrators charging more than co-arbitrators and sole arbitrators. The most common rates fall between HK$6,000 and HK$6,500, close to the current cap under HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules (HK$6,500), which will rise to HK$7,500 from January 2026. Rates exceeding the cap were rare, and UNCITRAL cases—where no cap applies—tended to have higher averages. Overall, the highest average rate observed was HK$6,017 for disputes above HK$1bn.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre (OAC), thereby strengthening institutional co-operation between Hong Kong and the Middle East. The MoU was signed on 27 October 2025 in Seoul by the Secretary-General of HKIAC, Ms Joanne Lau, and the Chief Executive Officer of OAC, Dr Abdullah Al Mandhari. It establishes a framework for joint initiatives, professional exchanges and the sharing of institutional expertise between the two institutions. The MoU also highlights both institutions’ shared commitment to enhancing engagement between Hong Kong and the Middle East and to supporting global discussions on arbitration and dispute resolution.