The CCPIT Shanghai International Commercial Mediation Center opens in Shanghai on May 20. [photo/chinanews.com.cn]

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade unveiled its new Shanghai International Commercial Mediation Center on May 20.

The center, approved by the Shanghai Judicial Bureau and the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, stands as a pivotal commercial mediation institution that is set to enhance the city's dispute resolution mechanisms, and improve its business environment.

Zhou Minhao, president of the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade, highlighted the center's commitment to adhering to new rules that are aligned with international standards, distinguishing it from its predecessors. These new rules bring a higher level of standardization, particularly in areas such as mediator selection and mediation procedures, ensuring a more efficient mediation process.

As global trade continues to rise, there has been a corresponding increase in international commercial disputes. While traditional methods like litigation and arbitration remain prevalent in dispute resolution, mediation offers a more collaborative and non-adversarial approach, focusing on fostering amicable negotiations between parties to resolve conflicts.

The center introduced a comprehensive set of updated mediation rules comprising seven chapters and 43 articles. These rules incorporate forward-thinking provisions related to the international recognition of mediation, adherence to mediation agreements, and alignment with the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (the Singapore Convention). 

These rules also draw from a wealth of knowledge from major domestic and international mediation institutions, including the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Mediation Rules.

In a move to foster global collaboration, the center has forged strategic partnerships with prominent domestic and foreign commercial mediation institutions such as the Singapore International Mediation Center, the Australian Dispute Resolution Center, and the Hong Kong Mediation Center. 

Currently, the center boasts a roster of 161 mediators from 11 countries and regions.

Source: chinanews.com.cn