Settlement of disputes
Article 24
1. The Parties shall seek to resolve any dispute concerning the application or interpretation of this Agreement through early consultation. 2. If a dispute has not been settled by means of consultation within 3 months from the date of the initial request for consultation, either Party may refer the dispute to the Joint Implementation Committee of the Agreement, which shall endeavour to settle it. The Committee shall be provided with all relevant information for an in-depth examination of the situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution. To this end, the Committee shall be required to examine all possibilities enabling the effective implementation of this Agreement to be maintained. 3. In the event that the Joint Implementation Committee of the Agreement is unable to settle the dispute, the Parties may: (a) jointly seek the good offices of, or request mediation by, a third party; (b) seek arbitration. If the dispute cannot be settled in accordance with paragraph 3(a), either Party may notify the other of the appointment of an arbitrator; the other Party must then appoint a second arbitrator within 30 calendar days of the appointment of the first arbitrator. The Parties shall jointly appoint a third arbitrator within two months of the appointment of the second arbitrator. The arbitrators’ decisions shall be taken by majority vote within six months of the third arbitrator being appointed. The award shall be binding on the Parties without right of appeal. 4. The Joint Implementation Committee of the Agreement establishes the working procedures for arbitration.