Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation

The Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (CEPANI) was founded in 1969 on the initiative of the Federation of Belgian Businesses (VBO/FEB) and the Belgian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce. (ICC). It has since evolved into an independent arbitration and mediation center comprising business leaders, professors, corporate legal experts, lawyers, notaries and solicitors. It is the largest arbitration and mediation institution in Belgium.

CEPANI is active on two fronts. First, it promotes the use and the study of arbitration and mediation by organizing symposiums and supporting publications on the subject. Second, it administers arbitration and mediation proceedings under its own sets of Rules. The new edition of the CEPANI rules, in force since January 1, 2000 takes into account both the reform of the Belgian law on arbitration dated May 19, 1998 and the amendments made to the rules of a number of arbitration bodies abroad, in particular the rules of the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC.

CEPANI appoints expert arbitrators and mediators who undertake to comply with CEPANI's Rules of Good Conduct. It supervises the progress of the proceedings within the timetable agreed by the parties, as provided for in the Rules, and resolves any legal and material difficulties that might emerge.