UNIS/L/360
5 July 2024

The UN Commission on International Trade Law adopts the UNCITRAL Model Clauses on Specialized Express Dispute Resolution (SPEDR)

VIENNA, 5 July (UN Information Service) – The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted the UNCITRAL Model Clauses on Specialized Express Dispute Resolution (SPEDR) (the “SPEDR Model Clauses”) on 1 July at its 57th session in New York.

The SPEDR Model Clauses offer customized solutions designed to be adapted and adjusted to suit the particular circumstances and preferences of the parties, building on the UNCITRAL Expedited Arbitration Rules. Designed as a resource for businesses and practitioners engaging in international dispute resolution, especially when speed and technical expertise are crucial factors, the SPEDR Model Clauses provide parties with tailored means to settle disputes in an expeditious manner, ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of their dispute resolution processes, while catering for their unique needs.

The SPEDR Model Clauses, which were adopted by the Commission, are comprised of four model clauses including the Model Clause on Highly Expedited Arbitration, the Model Clause on Adjudication, the Model Clause on Technical Advisor, and the Model Clause on Confidentiality.

The first two model clauses provide tailored proceedings for parties with unique needs, such as those that may arise in the technology and construction sectors, as well as other sectors where a complex and long-term commercial relationship demands speed and expertise in resolving disputes to minimize project delays and financial losses. As disputes suitable for settlement through such proceedings often require expertise on technical matters and treatment of sensitive information, the other two model clauses may be used to complement the proceedings in the first two model clauses, but they are also appropriate for use in arbitration more generally.

The SPEDR Model Clauses will be accompanied by explanatory notes, which will provide a detailed description on the objectives of each specific model clause as well as their associated risks, if any, and alternative approaches, where applicable.

The text of the SPEDR Model Clauses, as adopted by the Commission will be available on the UNCITRAL texts webpage (https://uncitral.un.org/texts) in the near future. It will also be included as an annex to the annual report of UNCITRAL. The final version of the SPEDR Model Clauses and the accompanying explanatory notes will be available on the UNCITRAL texts webpage at a later stage.

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The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) is the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law. Its mandate is to remove legal obstacles to international trade by progressively modernizing and harmonizing trade law. It prepares legal texts in a number of key areas such as international commercial dispute settlement, electronic commerce, insolvency, international payments, sale of goods, transport law, procurement and infrastructure development. 

UNCITRAL also provides technical assistance to law reform activities, including assisting Member States to review and assess their law reform needs and to draft the legislation required to implement UNCITRAL texts. The UNCITRAL secretariat is located in Vienna, Austria. For more information, visit: uncitral.un.org

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For information, please contact:

José Angelo Estrella-Faria 
Principal Legal Officer and Head, Legislative Branch 
UNCITRAL Secretariat 
Email: joseangelo.estrella-faria@un.org