International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC), Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) has released a report for end-to-end supply chain digitalisation, based on its 18-month analysis which cover all 36 key trade documents in the World Trade Organization, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Cross-border Paperless Trade Toolkit. The report creates a framework to digitalise all key trade processes along the supply chain, align, share and secure data elements through and across the supply chain and establishes the adoption of a ‘single source of truth’ in the supply chain. The report also provides recommendations which highlight opportunities to boost the progress of digitalisation in the public and private sectors.

The Infrastructure Conditions of Contract (ICC) for civil engineering works originated in 1945 as the ICE Conditions of Contract. Following various updates, 2014 saw a major revision and the publication of a new ‘With Quantities Version’. In June 2018, two new ICC contracts were published—the Design and Construct (D&C) Version and the Target Cost Version (see Practice Note: ICC Target Cost Version 2018). This Practice Note provides guidance on the ICC D&C Version 2018. The 2018 D&C Version is not to be confused with the 2011 D&C Version, with its identical cover. That was essentially a reprint of the ICE Design and Construct Contract 2001. The 2018 edition is entirely different, building on the 2014 With Quantities Version (for more on which, see Practice Note: ICC With Quantities Version 2014) and with a far more collaborative approach to design. Many of the clauses in those two contracts are identical. Small changes are made to the text to emphasise the contractor’s design obligations—these are kept to the minimum and are only made where change is necessary. Scheme

The ICC Institute of World Business Law and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) have opened a consultation on draft Principles and Model Clauses for International Investment Contracts (IICs). The draft was developed by the Working Group on IICs between October 2023 and January 2026. Based on the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts, the drafts sets out principles, commentaries and model clauses tailored to the specified characteristics of investment contracts. It aims to promote the modernisation and standardisation of IICs, greater legal certainty, a balance between the interests of states and investors and sustainable investment. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments by 15 September 2026. The Working Group on IICs will consider the feedback at its ninth session, scheduled for 19-21 October 2026. The Principles and Model Clauses for IICs are expected to be finalised and published by the end of 2026.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration President Claudia Salomon has outlined the main changes under the revised ICC Rules of Arbitration, which will take effect on 1 June 2026 and are intended to improve efficiency, clarity and usability in arbitration proceedings. Salomon states that the revised rules make electronic communications the default, remove the requirement for Terms of Reference and introduce express provisions allowing early determination of claims or defences that are clearly without merit or outside a tribunal’s jurisdiction. She also highlights changes to emergency arbitration procedures, an increase in the threshold for automatic application of the Expedited Procedure Provisions to USD 4 million and the introduction of new Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions aimed at resolving certain disputes within three months. Additional amendments include provisions on arbitrator disclosures, electronic signing and notification of awards, tribunal secretaries and updated fee and cost arrangements.

This Practice Note sets out the key features of the Infrastructure Conditions of Contract (ICC) Measurement Version 2011. The ICC were formerly known as the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) Conditions of Contract. They were first published in 1945 by the ICE and revised in seven editions between then and 1999. In August 2011, the ICE withdrew from the ICE Conditions and they were rebranded as the ICC, and published by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (who had also published the ICE’s conditions). The ICC contracts are principally intended for use with civil engineering works such as tunnelling, dredging and harbour works, road and bridge building and airport runways. There are a number of different contracts published as part of the ICC suite: • ICC Design and Construct Version (2018)—see Practice Note: ICC Design and Construct Version 2018 • ICC Target Cost Version (2018)—see Practice Note: ICC Target Cost Version 2018 • ICC With Quantities Version (2014)—see Practice Note: ICC With Quantities Version 2014 • ICC Measurement Version (2011/2014)* • ICC

The Infrastructure Conditions of Contract (ICC) for Civil Engineering Works originated in 1945 as the ICE Conditions of Contract. Following various updates, 2014 saw a major revision and the publication of a new ‘With Quantities Version’ (see Practice Note: ICC With Quantities Version 2014). In June 2018, two new ICC contracts were published—the Target Cost (TC) Version and the Design and Construct Version (see Practice Note: ICC Design and Construct Version 2018). This Practice Note provides guidance on the ICC TC Version 2018. In 2011, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering published the first edition of the TC Version. That was based upon the ICE Conditions of Contract 7th edition and modified for target cost use. The 2018 TC Version is completely rewritten and follows the approach and drafting of the 2014 Without Quantities Version. However, the 2011 TC Version and the 2018 TC Version have the same collaborative approach of the parties jointly managing risk. Many clauses in the 2014 With Quantities Version and the 2018 TC Version are identical. However, changes relating

The Infrastructure Conditions of Contract (ICC) were formerly known as the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) conditions of contract, first published in 1945 by the ICE. In November 2014, a subsequent edition of the ICC was launched, known as the ‘with quantities’ version (‘ICC with Quants’). This had followed a major review of the form and consultation process driven by a desire to update a contract which had not been significantly updated for over 50 years. The 2014 form was completely re-written and featured a radical new approach to the drafting of these conditions. It is shorter and more succinct than the previous ICE/ICC contracts, and introduced several significant changes. Its most important feature is that it provides for lump sum pricing to be the default valuation mechanism while re-measurement is retained as an alternative option. Although this form is referred to as the ‘With Quantities’ version, it is intended to be the contract of choice for most civil engineering works. The pre-2014 forms of the ICC (see Practice Note: ICC Measurement Version 2011) are

The International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (ICC YAAF) has announced the appointment of new co-chairs. Amanda Jiménez Pintón, counsel of the ICC Latin American case management team, and Stella Leptourgou, counsel of the ICC Middle East case management team, have been appointed as co-chairs effective immediately.

The ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (ICC YAAF) has announced its new regional representatives. This year’s intake sets the record as the largest group to date, consisting of 101 professionals. Open to young dispute resolution professionals aged 40 years and under, ICC YAAF provides opportunities for individuals to gain knowledge, develop their skills, promote the dynamic global network and organise ICC YAAF events.

At the recent ICC UK Arbitration & ADR conference, a panel of experts examined the profound implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on arbitration proceedings. While acknowledging AI's potential to enhance efficiency in areas like hearing preparation and evidence management, the panel highlighted significant concerns regarding confidentiality, accuracy and transparency. Key debates centred on disclosure obligations for AI use and the need for robust verification of AI-generated outputs to maintain the integrity of the arbitral process. The panel emphasised the growing importance of AI literacy for legal professionals, particularly in light of the impending EU AI Act, whilst grappling with long-term questions of oversight and environmental impact as the field continues to evolve.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Global Representative Body for Factoring and Financing of Open Account Domestic and International Trade Receivables (FCI) have announced that they will cooperate to expand the scope of the ICC Trade Register. The collaboration aims to strengthen industry insights and engagement with policymakers by: (i) enhancing market transparency through a more holistic dataset across products, (ii) supporting evidence-based dialogue on the economic importance of trade finance, (iii) improving risk analytics by including richer benchmarking, and (iv) fostering alignment between leading industry bodies and advance standardisation efforts.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has teamed up with fintech company Finastra in order to develop a financing marketplace for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to a wider set of alternative finance resources. The ICC TRADECOMM marketplace, powered by Finastra, has the aim of reducing trade finance barriers for SMEs so as to enable all parties to benefit from improvements in matching supply and demand. ICC and Finastra are planning on releasing a series of pilots across select markets before launching the marketplace globally.