International Arbitration Guide

Phillipines

Gruba Law

Describe the international arbitration governing bodies/structure in your jurisdiction.

Arbitration is encouraged in the Philippines. In 1953, the Philippines enacted the Arbitration Act, and in 1958, the Philippines was already a signatory to the UNCITRAL Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. More recently, in 2004, Congress passed the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act (ADR Act) and in 2009 the Supreme Court issued the Special Rules of Court in Alternative Dispute Resolution (the ADR Rules), both of which mostly adopt the UNCITRAL model law.

Describe any unique circumstances in your country that affect international arbitration (i.e., change in government, etc.).

With the recognition that courts are congested and court proceedings require very long periods of time, there has been a significant push in recent decades by government and policy makers for arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. International Commercial Arbitration is also a vibrant and booming practice, especially in recent years as parties are more open to arbitration as a mode of dispute resolution.

Please provide a brief overview of your firms international arbitration capabilities (team members, experience as litigators in arbitration as well as experience as arbitrators).

We handle/d numerous international arbitration cases both in the Philippines (seat and venue in the Philippines) as well as in foreign countries. Angelo Patrick Advincula handled several international arbitrations in the region. Jorge Alfonso Melo handles the arbitration department and has acted as counsel in some large arbitrations in Singapore (SIAC) and Hongkong (HKIAC), aside from numerous domestic arbitrations.

In which areas does your firm handle arbitration? (i.e., international investment, infrastructure, public works, energy, construction, etc.)

We have handled international investment, infrastructure, construction, mining, banking, and generally all types of commercial arbitration.

Which industries does your firm serve in this area (i.e., energy, insurance, public concessions, etc.)?

We have numerous clients who are financial institutions/banks or consortia of banks, mining companies, public works/infrastructure and investment companies.

Does your firm provide lawyer representation or certified arbitrator resources, or both? Please describe.

We provide lawyer representation and act as counsel in arbitration proceedings, as well as provide legal advice and consultation services on Philippine law matters in international arbitrations.

Gruba Law

Phillipines

Gruba Law
27/F 88 Corporate Center,
141 Sedeño St., Salcedo Village,
Makati City 1227
Manila, Philippines
Tel: +632 889 6060

Author

Jorge Alfonso C. Melo
Partner
Email: jcmelo@grubalaw.com
Call: +632 889 6060