How Does the ASEAN Dispute Resolution Mechanism Work?

How Does the ASEAN Dispute Resolution Mechanism Work?

Having an efficient means of resolving disagreements that arise between member nations has become an essential requirement as economic cooperation has grown. As a result, ASEAN has been working on a Protocol on a Dispute Settlement Mechanism since 1996. On November 20, 1996, ASEAN Economic Ministers signed the Protocol in Manila (Philippines).

Dispute Settlement Mechanism of ASEAN

The spirit of negotiation and mediation is the foundation of ASEAN's dispute resolution system. Parties to the dispute in Member States have the option to select mediation methods at any time. These structures might start or end out of the blue. The complainant took the matter to the Senior Economic Officials Meeting of ASEAN (SEOM) only after the mediation process had ended. Mediation procedures will continue to apply while the dispute is ongoing if the parties to it agree.

The matter will be referred to SEOM if the consultation does not resolve the dispute within sixty (60) days of receipt. SEOM will either form a panel or, if that is not possible, send the matter to the special rules and procedures team or another group for evaluation. However, in some instances, SEOM may decide to settle the dispute without appointing a panel if deemed necessary.

Within thirty (30) days of the panel's submission of the report, SEOM will evaluate it during its discussion and make a decision regarding the dispute. SEOM may have an additional ten (10) days to resolve a dispute in exceptional circumstances. Parties to the dispute may be represented by SEOM representatives at the meeting, but they may not vote on SEOM decisions. SEOM will decide by majority vote.

Within thirty (30) days, parties to the dispute may appeal the SEOM's decisions to the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM). Within thirty (30) days of receiving the appeal, AEM must issue a decision. AEM may have an additional ten (10) days to resolve the dispute in exceptional circumstances.

ANT Lawyers have Litigation and Dispute lawyers in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City that help clients dealing with dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution in Vietnam.