ARBITRATION
Arbitration lets the parties submit their dispute to one or more independent arbitrators, whose award is final and legally binding. Under the AALCO-HKRAC Platform Arbitration Rules, your case is administered by a country-neutral international organisation — with hearings held in person, online, or in hybrid mode.
Efficient, private resolution of disputes — without going to court.
Panels
Panel of GBA Arbitrators
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Panel of Arbitrators is a landmark joint initiative by the legal departments of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Macao Special Administrative Region.
It brings together arbitrators from across the three jurisdictions to serve the needs of businesses and individuals engaged in cross-border activities within the GBA. As a designated GBA arbitral institution, AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) hereby publishes the Panel of GBA Arbitrators to provide assistance and guidance to parties.
Panel Composition and Expertise
The Panel of GBA Arbitrators 2025 comprises 143 highly qualified arbitrators meticulously selected under the unified criteria set forth in the Working Guidelines. This ensures a deep pool of experts with specific knowledge of local laws, international practices, and key industry sectors vital to the GBA’s economy.
Guidelines for Use:
- For Reference: The Panel of GBA Arbitrators is of a recommendation nature and for the parties’ reference only.
- Selection Condition: Parties may select arbitrators from this Panel of GBA Arbitrators if permitted by the arbitration rules applicable to their specific case.
- Our Assistance: AALCO-HKRAC is available to provide parties with guidance on the appointment process of arbitrators from this Panel of GBA Arbitrators, subject to our internal procedures and regulations.
AALCO-HKRAC is one of the designated institutions under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Arbitrators Recommendation Procedure (Hong Kong). Pursuant to the Working Guidelines for the Panel of Arbitrators for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, this Centre does not possess the authority to make the final decision or confirmation regarding the selection and appointment of arbitrators to the Panel of Arbitrators for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Such power is vested in the Joint Conference of the Legal Departments of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Key Features of the Panel
- Officially Promulgated: The Panel of GBA Arbitrators was officially promulgated on 30 December 2025, following endorsement at the GBA Legal Departments Joint Conference.
- Jointly Curated: A collaborative effort by the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, and the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao SAR Government.
- Elite Talent Pool: Features a pre-eminent assembly of arbitrators, selected based on stringent criteria including extensive experience and proficiency in cross-jurisdictional cases.
- Recommendatory Nature: As per the Working Guidelines, the Panel of GBA Arbitrators is for the parties’ reference to assist in the selection of arbitrators.
Useful Links
For further information, please visit the official announcement pages from the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government:
Clauses
AALCO-HKRAC model arbitration clause
Model Arbitration Clause
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre Platform Arbitration Rules.
Optional Clause — Number of Arbitrators
The number of arbitrators shall be [one/three].
Optional Clause — Seat & Governing Law
The place of arbitration shall be Hong Kong. The applicable law of the arbitration agreement and of the arbitration procedure shall be the laws of the Hong Kong SAR.
Optional Clause — Language & Hearing Mode
The language(s) of the arbitral proceedings shall be [English/Arabic/Chinese/such language as the parties agree]. Hearings may be conducted physically, online or in a hybrid format via the Centre’s secure ODR platform.