Contract Dispute in Vietnam

Disputes occur during contract performance are beyond the control of the entity entering contractual relations. In developed countries, lawyers always invited to advise customers to identify potential disputes, and provide solutions, support and provide legal advice and to accompany the enterprises solve disputes in accordance with the provisions of the law, which help businesses to focus on its business activities. The contract should be carefully reviewed by lawyers. Foreign companies when entering Vietnam mostly follow suit to engage dispute or litigation dispute lawyers in Vietnam at early stage of the transactions. 

Contract Dispute

Contractual disputes in Vietnam shall be construed as conflicts, disagreements, conflicts between the parties regarding the implementation or non-implementation of rights and obligations in the contract. Disputes could arise in failure to collect the payment from debtor in sales agreement, construction contract disputes between investor and contractor, labour dispute between employer and employee, insurance disputes between ship owner and insurance company.

Contract disputes must satisfy the following factors:

First, there is a contract between the parties. The contract would be in different for ms therefore, there is a need to clearly define if the contractual relationship has been formed or not.

Second, there is a breach of obligations or duties that are in violation of a party in the contractual relationship.

Third, there is disagreement between the parties about the handling of infringement or the consequences of such violations.

It should be noted, the contract disputes arise from the breach. However, not all breaches of contract also lead to disputes.

How to settle the contract disputes in Vietnam?

Contractual disputes can be resolved by the following methods:

Negotiation is the process or behavior in which the two sides conduct exchanges, agreement on common interests and characteristics of disagreement and come to a unified agreement. The negotiation is without the presence of third parties. However, if the contract dispute lawyers in Vietnam would be involved during the negotiation process, at the role of representing or advising, counseling, then the negotiations tend to be more effective and parties would reach agreement.

Mediation is one of the options for disputing parties to end the conflict. Mediation is different from negotiating with the intervention of a third party. Mediator will help parties to achieve agreement and resolve conflict.

Court or arbitration: The settlement of the dispute in court would take time. The court’s ruling can be appealed. It should be noted that, per Vietnam laws, only Vietnam litigation or dispute law firms could represent the client at court. Commercial arbitration is available only in commercial-business sector. The advantage of this method is fast and efficient. However, compare with disputing at court, this method of handling dispute would take higher costs.

Disputes and dispute resolution matters are natural and inevitable in any countries including Vietnam. It is important that parties involved need to identify, anticipate disputes can occur. Contract or agreement should be reviewed by lawyers. When there is a dispute, the dispute lawyers in Vietnam will be able to help parties to with advice to reasonable solution to address the disputes effectively.

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

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The Need for Commercial Mediation in the Performance of Internation Contracts

 In contract dispute resolution, the average time to resolve a commercial contract dispute at the Court in Vietnam, even with the help of dispute lawyers in Vietnam whom know well the process would take long time through multiple proceedings. This period will last longer if there is a foreign party in the dispute, including service of notarization, legalization, authentication (or apostille) the documents. According to World Bank statistics, the cost of resolving a commercial dispute at the Court accounts for about 29% of the contract value (including attorneys’ fees, court fees, judgment execution fees).

Contract dispute lawyers in Vietnam

The practice of resolving the dispute case at the Court appears to face many challenges of time lengthening and possible effective enforcement leading to cost of time and money. Therefore, the selection of dispute resolution in the mediation center is a possible option to resolve this issue.

Vietnam authorities and international agencies have taken active measures needed to promote the application of commercial mediation in international contracts, in order to resolve issues more quickly and effectively in international trade disputes. The application of commercial dispute resolution at mediation centers in Vietnam will save time and costs for dispute resolution. In addition, the dispute resolution at the mediation center will also help the parties maintain the relationship for future business transactions.

Until Aug 2019, in Vietnam, there are 7 commercial mediation centers licensed by the Ministry of Justice with a team of domestic and international certified mediators and lawyers who can contribute to resolving disputes in international trade contracts. The use of mediation centers in the settlement of disputes in Vietnam with the help of lawyers in Vietnam will help the parties to find common grounds and together save cost, time, keep confidentiality of the dispute and could continue to do business with each other.

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers have Dispute Attorneys in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, will help customers conveniently drafting contracts and assist in resolving contract disputes in Vietnam.    

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What Are Procedures for Postponement at the First Instance Court?

In case that civil lawsuit cannot be mediated or cannot conduct the mediation, the Judge shall hold the meetings for checking the handover, access, disclosure of evidences and mediation. In cases there are many parties in a case and some of them are absent but present parties agree to conduct the meetings and the conduct of the meeting does not affect rights and obligations of absent parties, the Judges shall conduct meeting between present parties. If parties request to postpone the mediation meeting until all parties attend, the Judge shall postpone the meeting. The Judges must notify postponement and re-open of meeting to the parties. The litigation dispute lawyers in Vietnam could be the best advisors to the client to utilize the procedures for the best interests of their client depending on the situation.

 Procedures for Postponement at the First Instance Court

In the first-instance court hearings, when being summoned duly the the Court for the first time, the parties or their representatives and defense counsels shall be present at the Court hearings. If any of them is absent, the Trial Panel shall postpone the Court hearings, unless such person requests for trial in his/her absence. The Courts must notify the postponement of the Court hearings to the parties, their representatives and defense counsels. When being summoned duly for the second time, parties or their representatives and defense counsels shall be present at the Court hearings unless they request for trials in their absence. If the absence is caused by a force majeure event or an objective obstacle, the Court may postpone the Court hearings, otherwise the Court shall handle as follows: (i) The absence of plaintiff without his/her representative shall be considered giving up the lawsuit initiation, thus the Court shall issue a decision to terminate the case resolution for his/her request for lawsuit initiation, unless such plaintiff requests for trials in their absence. The plaintiff may re-initiate lawsuits according to law provisions; (ii) If neither the defendant without counter-claims or a person with relevant interests and duties (relevant person) without independent claims nor his/her representative participates in the Court hearings, the Court shall conduct trial in their absence; (iii) If neither the defendant with counter-claims nor his/her representative participates in the Court hearings, such defendant shall be considered giving up the counter claims, thus the Court shall issue a decision to terminate the resolution for his/her counter claims, unless such defendant requests for trial in his/her absence. The defendant may re-initiate lawsuits for his/her counter-claims according to law provisions; (iv) If neither relevant person with independent claims nor his/her representative participates in the Court hearings, such person shall be considered giving up the independent claims, thus the Court shall issue a decision to terminate the resolution for his/her independent claims, unless such person requests for trial in his/her absence. Such person may re-initiate lawsuits for his/her independent claims according to law provisions; (v) If the defense counsels of the parties is absent, the Court shall conduct trial in their absence.

When the witnesses are absent, the Trial Panels shall decide to conduct trial or to postpone the court. The Trial Panels shall still conduct trial if the witnesses are absent but have earlier given their testimonies in person or sent their testimonies to courts. The presiding Judges shall make such testimonies public. The Trial Panels shall decide to postpone the Court hearings if the absence of the witnesses at Court creates difficulties or affects the objective and comprehensive resolution of the cases.

If the expert-witnesses are absent, the Trial Panels shall decide to conduct trial or to postpone the court. If the interpreters are absent without substitutes, the Trial Panels shall decide to postpone the Court hearings. If expert-witnesses or interpreters must be replaced, the Judges, the Trial panels or the Civil matter-resolving council shall issue decisions to postpone the Court hearings.

When any procedure participants are absent from Court hearings and it does not fall into the cases which the Courts must postpone the Court hearings, the presiding Judges must ask if there is any one requesting to postpone the Court hearings. If there is, the Trial Panels shall consider and decide to accept or not accept such request. In case of non-acceptance, the reasons must be clearly stated.

In addition to absence and change of procedure participants, the change of procedure-conducting person may make the Court hearings be postponed. Firstly, in case of change of the Judge, People’s Jurors, Ombudspersons, Court clerks, procurators, the Trial Panels shall issue decisions to postpone the Court hearings.

Decision on postponing the Court hearings in above circumstances is made by Trial Panels and the time limit for postponing shall not exceed 01 month or not exceed 15 days, applicable to Court carried out under simplified procedure, from the day on which the decision to postpone the Court session is issued.

Having said that, the client could rely on the litigation dispute lawyers in Vietnam for the solution in each case to protect the best interests if postponement procedures of the first instance trial could be applied.

We are a law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services. For advice or services request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529     

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Dispute Settlement in International Trade

 In international trade, when drafting international contracts, the parties usually focus on the terms of payment and expense but little attention to terms of dispute settlement. Thus, the parties should be aware that the disagreements and disputes can arise at any time. Therefore, in the process of concluding an international economic agreement, the parties should note the provisions on the selection methods of dispute settlement if a dispute occurs. Currently, there are 4 dispute resolution methods in international trade as follows: negotiation, mediation, commercial arbitration and court.

Dispute Law Firm in Vietnam

Negotiation

Negotiation is a settlement method which is usually applied in international dispute settlement. In particular, the parties discuss together, struggle, compromise and agree to settle the dispute. The result of the negotiation is that the dispute could be resolve or not. Negotiation is conducted in two ways: The two parties directly meet each other to discuss and deal or one party submit complaint to the other party and the other party answers the complaint.

Mediation

Mediation is the method of resolving dispute between the parties through the role of a third party. Mediation can be accomplished by two ways: One is that the parties agree with each other about mediation, the mediator will be designated and conduct the mediation without following any rules of mediation. The second way is that the parties agree to conduct the mediation under rules of a professional organization or one specific arbitration institution, such as mediation rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Commercial arbitration

Arbitration is a method of dispute settlement arising in trade activities that are agreed between the parties and carried out according to the order and proceedings. Presently, there are kinds of arbitration such as: ad hoc arbitration and permanent arbitration.

Court

The 3 dispute settlement methods above are voluntary in nature. They are different from the dispute settlement in accordance with judicial procedures at court. The settlement of dispute by court is to resolve dispute through the activities of the State tribunals. Therefore, litigants in the dispute are often considered as a final solution to protect their legitimate interests. Especially, when there is a conflict, the parties will choose the form of trade negotiation or mediation rather than commercial arbitration or court.

ANT Lawyers – Arbitration law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services. For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529.     

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What is Statue of Limitation for Initiating Legal Action According to Arbitral Procedures?

Arbitration law always set the the limitation period for request of dispute resolution. This means that the law applies a specific period for parties to bring the dispute to the arbitration. According to law on arbitration 2010 (“LOA”), unless otherwise provided by specialized law, limitation period for initiating legal action according to arbitral procedures is two years from the time of infringement of lawful rights and interests.

Arbitration law firm in Vietnam

There is no regulation in arbitration law regarding consequence of expiration of limitation period, but Civil Code 2015 (“CC”) stipulates that: “if such time limits expire, the right to initiate such legal action shall be lost”. Arbitration council shall not resolve expired requests, which means council shall not judge which parties is right or wrong. Therefore, enterprise needs to request within the statutory time limits in order to be resolved. If not, the request shall not be considered although there was request and related fees. In addition, it should be noted that the Court only applies time limits regulation at the request of a party or the parties provided that such request is filed before the first trial court of first instance makes a judgment, a decision on settlement.

However, there has been cases of non-applicability of limitation periods. Specifically, a limitation period for initiating legal action for a civil case shall not apply in any of the following cases: (i) Request for the protection of personal rights not associated with property; (ii) Request for the protection of ownership rights, unless otherwise provided by Civil Code or relevant laws; (iii) Dispute over land use right as prescribed in the Law on land; (iv) Other cases as provided by law. For instance, dispute over reclaiming deposited property is under case of non-applicability of limitation periods. Specifically, deposited property still belongs to ownership of depositor although the property had been transferred to depositary and reclaiming property is a measure protecting the right of property ownership, while dispute over the protection of ownership rights is under case of non-applicability of limitation periods.

In practice, the time between the time period of filing a lawsuit and the time period of infringement of lawful rights and interests can be longer than two years if there is time periods excluded from limitation periods for initiating legal action or there is re-commencement of limitation period for initiating legal action.

The time period during which one of the following events occurs shall be excluded from limitation periods for initiating legal action: (i) An event of force majeure or other objective hindrance which renders the person with the right to initiate legal action for a civil case or make the request not able to do so within the limitation period; (ii) The person with the right to initiate legal action for a civil case or to make the request is a minor or a legally incapacitated person, a person with limited cognition and behavior control or a person with limited legal capacity, and does not yet have a representative; (iii) The representative of a minor or a legally incapacitated person, a person with limited cognition and behavior control or a person with limited legal capacity has not yet been replaced in case that the representative being natural person dies or the representative being juridical person ceases to exist or in case that the representative, for good reasons, cannot continue his/her representation.

The limitation period for initiating legal action shall re-commence in any of the following cases: (i) The obligor has acknowledged part or all of its obligations to the plaintiff; (ii) The obligor has acknowledged or fulfilled part of its obligations to the plaintiff; (iii) The parties have become reconciled. The limitation period for initiating legal action for a civil case shall re-commence from the date following the date on which the above event occurs. Having said that, it is important to consult with dispute lawyers in Vietnam for the effective dispute resolutions should dispute arise.

ANT Lawyers in an arbitration law firm in Vietnam, recognized by Legal500, IFLR1000. We are an exclusive Vietnam member of Prea Legal, the global law firm network covering more than 150 jurisdictions. The firm provides a range of legal services to multinational and domestic clients. For advice or services request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529.      

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How Probation is Regulated in Vietnam Labour Code?

How Probation is Regulated in Vietnam Labour Code?

Probation is an agreement between an employee and an employer on a probationary job in a certain period of time in accordance with the provisions of law. Before entering into a labor contract, the employer and the employee should go through a probationary period to determine the long-term cooperation and attachment between the parties. The probation should comply with the provisions of the Labor Code and relevant guiding documents. The Labor Code 2019 comes into force as of January 1^st, 2020, a number of new regulations accordingly are issued in connection to the probation, which each company should review the matter with its labour dispute lawyers in Vietnam for compliance.

 

Employment Dispute Law Firm in Vietnam

Regarding the circumstances which are permitted to enter into a probationary contract, this contract is not applicable to the labor term which is below 01 month.  The Labor Code 2012 does not require that the probationary provision must be stipulated in the labor contract. Accordingly, an employer and an employee may negotiate on the probation, the rights and responsibilities of the parties during the probation period. The parties may conclude a probation contract if there is an agreement on the probation. If the probation work meets the requirements, the employer shall conclude an employment contract with the employee. From these provisions, it can be understood that the employee and the employer should make a separate probationary contract. The labor contract should be signed when the probation is completed and the employee meets the recruitment requirements of the employer. According to the latest provisions in the Labor Code 2019, the employer and the employee may agree on the probation stated in the labor contract or a separate probationary contract. If the probationary provision is stipulated in the labor contract, the employer shall continue performing the existing labor contract at the end of the probationary period once the employee satisfies the requirements. Otherwise, a new labor contract shall be entered into.

The Labor Code determined the restriction of the probation period based on the nature and complexity of the job. The probationary period previously was limited to no more than 60 days for jobs requiring a college or higher professional qualification. Currently, the probationary period is permitted to extend up to 180 days for the executives. The executives play an important role in business and operation of the enterprises, including owner of a sole proprietorship, a partner of a partnership company, chairperson or member of the Board of Member, President of a company, President or member of the Board of Directors, Director/General Director, or holder of another managerial position prescribed in the company’s charter (applicable to the enterprise with no state capital)

Another amendment to the cancellation of the probationary contract, the Labor Code 2019 removed the limitation of the right to cancel. Accordingly, during the probationary period, each party has the right to cancel the probationary contract or labor contract entered into without prior notice and compensation. On the contrary, the employee and the employer may cancel the probation if the probationary job does not meet the requirements that the parties have agreed upon under the Labor Code 2012

Probationary periods are primarily designed to test out whether both employer and employee to match each other at the start of an employment relationship. The enterprises as employers need to have a clear understanding of the principles of entering into a labor contract as well as a probationary contract to avoid potential dispute in Vietnam.

ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam, recognized by Legal500, IFLR1000. We are an exclusive Vietnam member of Prea Legal, the global law firm network covering more than 150 jurisdictions. The firm provides a range of legal services to multinational and domestic clients.       

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Dispute Attorneys in Hanoi

ANT Lawyers law firm could assist clients on dispute resolution matters throughout Vietnam from office in Hanoi.

Dispute attorney in Hanoi

We have dispute attorneys in Hanoi with qualification and experience to assist client to resolve dispute in Vietnam.

We have been representing clients in dispute in various sectors i.e. dispute in international trade, dispute in commercial transactions, dispute in partnership or shareholder agreement, dispute in property sales and purchase, dispute in intellectual property, dispute in finance, dispute in maritime matters.

Our expertise, experience, and understanding of Vietnam culture allow us to offer client a suitable and flexible solutions to the matters, taking into consideration of commercial perspective of the issues the client face, and take the client throughout the stages of litigation proceeding at Vietnam national or provincial courts, and arbitration centers.

If possible, we advise client on alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, which our lawyers are well trained and certified internationally in US and EU with adaption of skills to Vietnam cultures to help client resolve conflicts without formal proceeding to save cost, time and maintain the relationship between disputed parties.

Our dispute resolution practice at ANT Lawyers helps our clients with the following:

Negotiation: reviewing relevant contracts and documents, advising possible courses of action and negotiating with relevant parties before initiating the legal proceeding.

Litigation and legal representation: representing clients before Vietnamese courts and other Vietnamese authorities.

Arbitration: advising on choice of arbitration, drafting arbitration clause, and representing clients for recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.

Alternative proceedings: certain alternatives may be available for dispute resolution in Vietnam.

ANT Lawyers - a dispute law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services.

 You could learn more about ANT Lawyers Dispute Practice or contact our dispute attorney in Hanoi, for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at (+84) 24 730 86 529.      

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Dispute Law Firm in Vietnam

ANT Lawyers law firm could assist clients on dispute resolution matters throughout Vietnam from offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang.

Dispute law firm in Vietnam

We have been representing clients in dispute in various sectors i.e. dispute in international trade, dispute in commercial transactions, dispute in partnership or shareholder agreement, dispute in property sales and purchase, dispute in intellectual property, dispute in finance, dispute in maritime matters.

Our expertise, experience, and understanding of Vietnam culture allow us to offer client a suitable and flexible solutions to the matters, taking into consideration of commercial perspective of the issues the client face, and take the client throughout the stages of litigation proceeding at Vietnam national or provincial courts, and arbitration centers.

If possible, we advise client on alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, which our lawyers are well trained and certified internationally in US and EU with adaption of skills to Vietnam cultures to help client resolve conflicts without formal proceeding to save cost, time and maintain the relationship between disputed parties.

Our dispute resolution practice at ANT Lawyers helps our clients with the following:

Negotiation: reviewing relevant contracts and documents, advising possible courses of action and negotiating with relevant parties before initiating the legal proceeding.

Litigation and legal representation: representing clients before Vietnamese courts and other Vietnamese authorities.

Arbitration: advising on choice of arbitration, drafting arbitration clause, and representing clients for recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.

Alternative proceedings: certain alternatives may be available for dispute resolution in Vietnam.

ANT Lawyers - a dispute law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services.

You could learn more about ANT Lawyers Dispute Practice or contact our dispute lawyers in Hanoi, dispute lawyers in Da Nang and dispute lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at (+84) 24 730 86 529.

        

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The Dispute Settlement Mechanism of WTO

How Does Dispute Settlement Mechanism of WTO Work?

The dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a succession of the dispute settlement rules that has been effective for nearly 50 years in the history of GATT 1947. The basic objective of this dispute resolution mechanism is to achieve a positive solution to the dispute. Vietnam is member of WTO therefore it could refer to dispute settlement mechanism of  WTO in dispute against other country member.

When a dispute arises at the WTO, the parties will first conduct consultations to come up with a mutually agreed solution to resolve the case (Consultation – the stage of mediation), as  usual in each case there is the participation of third parties (who are members of significant interest and desire to participate in the dispute resolution process), if they feel a significant interest in the case and should be considered by the panel. In the case of an unsuccessful inquiry, a panel of 3 to 5 members will be established and tasked with examining a particular issue in dispute on the basis of WTO rules cited by the claimant’s country.

After the establishment of a panel to review the complaint, the first thing that the panel needs to do is to set a timetable for its proceedings (Article 12.3 of the DSU). The panel procedure usually covers the contents set forth in Article 12 and Annex 3 of the DSU, including certain flexibility to ensure the quality of the report without delaying the proceedings. Setting a timetable helps the parties understand the contents and deadlines for each dispute, helping them be more proactive in presenting evidence, bases and arguments in their submitted documents.

After the hearings take place, the panel will enter the internal discussion phase (deliberation), to review the assessment of relevant legal, practical issues in accordance with the provisions of the WTO, the deliberation must be kept secret. These reports were drafted without the presence of the parties to the dispute, but only according to the content of the information provided and the comments made earlier. Individual opinions of jurors presented in a panel report shall not include the names of speakers of such opinions.

After the final report will be sent to the parties to the dispute within 2 weeks after the panel has concluded the mid-term review. Normally, every report of the panel has very large content, to facilitate the study of review by the appellate body and to quote case law, the report must show the table of contents and paragraphs which are separate numbered in the order of the report. If there is no appeal, the dispute resolution process will immediately go to the implementation stage after the DSB adopts a panel report. If there is an appeal, the case will be reviewed at the Appellate level.

It is important for Vietnam as member of WTO to be aware of the dispute settlement mechanism and fully prepared when having dispute against other country members in international trade dispute matters.

ANT Lawyers – A Law firm in Vietnam has law offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.  The lawyers at each law offices in Vietnam have consistently made valuable and important contributions to our profession through the cases we handled on daily basis to facilitate business transaction or represented our clients to access justice.        

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Dispute Settlement in International Trade

In international trade, when drafting international contracts, the parties usually focus on the terms of payment and expense but little attention to terms of dispute settlement. Thus, the parties should be aware that the disagreements and disputes can arise at any time. Therefore, in the process of concluding an international economic agreement, the parties should note the provisions on the selection methods of dispute settlement if a dispute occurs. Currently, there are 4 dispute resolution methods in international trade as follows: negotiation, mediation, commercial arbitration and court. 

 

Dispute Law Firm in Vietnam

Negotiation

Negotiation is a settlement method which is usually applied in international dispute settlement. In particular, the parties discuss together, struggle, compromise and agree to settle the dispute. The result of the negotiation is that the dispute could be resolve or not. Negotiation is conducted in two ways: The two parties directly meet each other to discuss and deal or one party submit complaint to the other party and the other party answers the complaint.

Mediation

Mediation is the method of resolving dispute between the parties through the role of a third party. Mediation can be accomplished by two ways: One is that the parties agree with each other about mediation, the mediator will be designated and conduct the mediation without following any rules of mediation. The second way is that the parties agree to conduct the mediation under rules of a professional organization or one specific arbitration institution, such as mediation rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Commercial arbitration

Arbitration is a method of dispute settlement arising in trade activities that are agreed between the parties and carried out according to the order and proceedings. Presently, there are kinds of arbitration such as: ad hoc arbitration and permanent arbitration.

Court

The 3 dispute settlement methods above are voluntary in nature. They are different from the dispute settlement in accordance with judicial procedures at court. The settlement of dispute by court is to resolve dispute through the activities of the State tribunals. Therefore, litigants in the dispute are often considered as a final solution to protect their legitimate interests. Especially, when there is a conflict, the parties will choose the form of trade negotiation or mediation rather than commercial arbitration or court.

ANT Lawyers – Arbitration law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services. For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529

 

Read More

How Does Dispute Settlement Mechanism of WTO Work?

 The dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a succession of the dispute settlement rules that has been effective for nearly 50 years in the history of GATT 1947. The basic objective of this dispute resolution mechanism is to achieve a positive solution to the dispute. Vietnam is member of WTO therefore it could refer to dispute settlement mechanism of WTO in dispute against other country member.

When a dispute arises at the WTO, the parties will first conduct consultations to come up with a mutually agreed solution to resolve the case (Consultation – the stage of mediation), as  usual in each case there is the participation of third parties (who are members of significant interest and desire to participate in the dispute resolution process), if they feel a significant interest in the case and should be considered by the panel. In the case of an unsuccessful inquiry, a panel of 3 to 5 members will be established and tasked with examining a particular issue in dispute on the basis of WTO rules cited by the claimant’s country.

After the establishment of a panel to review the complaint, the first thing that the panel needs to do is to set a timetable for its proceedings (Article 12.3 of the DSU). The panel procedure usually covers the contents set forth in Article 12 and Annex 3 of the DSU, including certain flexibility to ensure the quality of the report without delaying the proceedings. Setting a timetable helps the parties understand the contents and deadlines for each dispute, helping them be more proactive in presenting evidence, bases and arguments in their submitted documents.

After the hearings take place, the panel will enter the internal discussion phase (deliberation), to review the assessment of relevant legal, practical issues in accordance with the provisions of the WTO, the deliberation must be kept secret. These reports were drafted without the presence of the parties to the dispute, but only according to the content of the information provided and the comments made earlier. Individual opinions of jurors presented in a panel report shall not include the names of speakers of such opinions.

After the final report will be sent to the parties to the dispute within 2 weeks after the panel has concluded the mid-term review. Normally, every report of the panel has very large content, to facilitate the study of review by the appellate body and to quote case law, the report must show the table of contents and paragraphs which are separate numbered in the order of the report. If there is no appeal, the dispute resolution process will immediately go to the implementation stage after the DSB adopts a panel report. If there is an appeal, the case will be reviewed at the Appellate level.

It is important for Vietnam as member of WTO to be aware of the dispute settlement mechanism and fully prepared when having dispute against other country members in international trade dispute matters.

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