Settlement of disputes
Article 24
1. The Parties shall seek to resolve any dispute concerning application or interpretation of this Agreement through early consultations. 2. If a dispute has not been settled by means of consultations within two months from the date of the initial request for consultations, either Party may refer the dispute to the JIC, which shall endeavour to settle it. The JIC 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 JIC shall be required to examine all possibilities for maintaining effective implementation of this Agreement. 3. In the event that the JIC is unable to settle the dispute within two months, the Parties may jointly seek the good offices of, or request mediation by, an independent third party. 4. In the event of it not being possible to settle the dispute in accordance with paragraph 3, 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. 5. The arbitrators’ decisions shall be taken by majority vote within six months of the third arbitrator being appointed. 6. The award shall be binding on the Parties and shall be without appeal. 7. The JIC shall establish the working procedures for arbitration.