Unveiling the 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules, part 4: Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions 

This forth instalment of the six-part series introducing the 2026 Rules examines how Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions (HEAP) expand ICC’s procedural toolkit, offering a streamlined and cost‑efficient arbitration option while preserving the quality and reliability long associated with ICC Arbitration. 

HEAP, set out in Appendix VI of the 2026 Rules, builds on ICC’s long-standing commitment to procedural flexibility and quality. Following the introduction of Emergency Arbitration (EA) in 2012 and Expedited Procedure Provisions (EPP) in 2017, HEAP adds afurther speedy and simple dispute resolution option for parties within the trusted ICC framework.

Unlike EPP, there is no automatic application or threshold amounts. HEAP applies on an opt-in basis, regardless of the amount in dispute.  In principle, parties can choose HEAP for small to multi-billion-dollar disputes, across a variety of industry sectors.  

When is HEAP most suitable?  

The suitability of HEAP does not depend on the value of the claims but instead on the complexity of the issues and the parties’ interest in a swift resolution of their dispute.   

HEAP is likely to be most suitable for:  

• lower-complexity commercial disputes,   
• claims with a simple factual matrix, or  
• a distinct aspect of a dispute, which requires swift resolution – such as technology or sports-related disputes or purchase price adjustments.   

HEAP is not intended for procedurally complex disputes. Consequently, joinder and consolidation are not eligible.  

This forth instalment of the six-part series introducing the 2026 Rules examines how Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions (HEAP) expand ICC’s procedural toolkit, offering a streamlined and cost‑efficient arbitration option while preserving the quality and reliability long associated with ICC Arbitration.  

HEAP, set out in Appendix VI of the 2026 Rules, builds on ICC’s long-standing commitment to procedural flexibility and quality. Following the introduction of Emergency Arbitration (EA) in 2012 and Expedited Procedure Provisions (EPP) in 2017, HEAP adds a further speedy and simple dispute resolution option for parties within the trusted ICC framework.   

Unlike EPP, there is no automatic application or threshold amounts. HEAP applies on an opt-in basis, regardless of the amount in dispute.  In principle, parties can choose HEAP for small to multi-billion-dollar disputes, across a variety of industry sectors.   

When is HEAP most suitable?  

The suitability of HEAP does not depend on the value of the claims but instead on the complexity of the issues and the parties’ interest in a swift resolution of their dispute.   

HEAP is likely to be most suitable for:  

• lower-complexity commercial disputes,   
• claims with a simple factual matrix, or  
• a distinct aspect of a dispute, which requires swift resolution – such as technology or sports-related disputes or purchase price adjustments.   

HEAP is not intended for procedurally complex disputes. Consequently, joinder and consolidation are not eligible.  

How and when parties may opt in  

Parties may agree to apply HEAP:   

• At the drafting stage, by opting into HEAP in the arbitration agreement (a model arbitration agreement is included in the 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules and on the ICC website)   
• After a dispute has arisen, by agreement, if the parties align that fast resolution is to their mutual benefit.  

The ICC Secretariat remains available to assist parties at either stage when considering whether HEAP is an appropriate option.   

How does HEAP work  

Disputes under HEAP will be decided by a sole arbitrator. Given the compact timetable and overall design of the procedure, HEAP is not suitable for a three-member arbitral tribunal. If parties prefer for the arbitration to be heard by a three-member arbitral tribunal, the arbitration should be administered pursuant to the ICC Arbitration Rules, where parties and arbitral tribunals are nonetheless encouraged to resolve disputes in a time and cost-efficient manner.  

Once HEAP starts, parties will have 20 days (rather than 30) to nominate the sole arbitrator. If the parties cannot agree on a sole arbitrator within that time period, the ICC Court will directly appoint the sole arbitrator as swiftly as possible.  

Having a sole arbitrator in place early in the proceedings prepares the ground for the fast-track timetable. HEAP is not simply standard ICC Arbitration on a shortened timetable. It accelerates the procedure from the outset by requiring parties to frontload their case. Accordingly, a Statement of Claim must be filed with the Request for Arbitration, and a Statement of Defence with the Answer. Parties are also encouraged to submit the evidence on which they rely at that stage. The ICC Secretariat will not extend those time limits unless the parties agree otherwise. If the Respondent seeks additional time for the Answer, that request will be decided by the sole arbitrator once confirmed or appointed.  

As under the EPP, the sole arbitrator has broad discretion to adopt procedural measures needed to render the award within time. In practice, parties should expect:  

• tighter limits on further submissions and written witness evidence,   
• possible exclusion of document production, and   
• determination of the dispute without a hearing.  

Three-month timeline  

The time limit for the sole arbitrator to make the award is three months from the initial case management conference, which should take place within seven days of the sole arbitrator’s receipt of the case file. The three month time limit includes not only the drafting of the award but also the ICC Court’s scrutiny and the notification of the award to the parties. To comply with the time limit, the sole arbitrator would be expected to submit the draft award to the ICC Secretariat two weeks prior to the expiry of the time limit for making the award.  

  

Cost efficiency and awards without reasons  

HEAP adopts the same cost scale as EPP, where parties benefit from lower tribunal fees.  

One of HEAPs more novel features is that unlike other ICC Arbitration procedures, the parties may agree to have an award without reasons. In 2024, ICC published a report entitled, the Bare Minimum: Cost-Efficient Awards for Disputes of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Published in the ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin, the report found that having an award without reasons may be appealing for its time and cost-efficiencies, particularly in expedited proceedings, low-value disputes or where the issues in dispute are technical in nature.   

When considering whether to agree to an award without reasons, parties should consider any enforcement concerns, particularly in the small number of jurisdictions where the absence of reasons may be grounds to set-aside or refuse enforcement despite party agreement. In scrutinising the draft award, the ICC Court will consider, to the extent practicable, the validity and enforceability of the award and the requirements of mandatory law at the place of the arbitration.   

HEAP is an important addition to the 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules, offering parties a genuinely expedited route to a final award where speed, procedural economy and proportionality are paramount. For parties and their counsel, the key question will be which dispute resolution mechanism on the ICC dispute resolution menu best fits their needs and expectations.    

This article forms part of ICC’s six-part series breaking down key updates introduced by the 2026 ICC Rules of Arbitration. Discover all the updates of our revised 2026 Rules before entry into force on 1 June 2026.