• Introduction

    As the first arbitration institution established in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao area in 1983, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (also known as South China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, formerly known as CIETAC South China Sub-Commission and CIETAC Shenzhen Sub-Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “SCIA”), is an important achievement that reflects China’s reform and opening-up, the development of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone as well as the cooperation among Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. In 1984, the SCIA took the lead in including foreign arbitrators in the Panel of Arbitrators. In 1989, the SCIA issued the first Chinese arbitral award that was enforced in a foreign jurisdiction in accordance with the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (the “New York Convention”). In 2012, the SCIA pioneered to establish a statutory body governance mechanism and a corporate governance structure with an international council serving as the decision body. In 2016, the SCIA became the first arbitration institution in Chinese mainland to accept investment arbitration cases by updating its rules. In 2018, the SCIA incorporated Shenzhen Arbitration Commission, setting a precedent for merge of arbitration institutions in China. In 2021, under the new GBA strategy, the SCIA added “Greater Bay Area International Arbitration Center” as one of its official names to deepen the cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao and develop into a global international arbitration hub in the world. So far, its arbitration and mediation services have been extended to 137 countries and regions worldwide, and its panel of arbitrators covers 114 countries and regions.