PCA Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Natural Resources and/or the Environment Model Arbitration Clauses

• Updated at: May 2026

MODEL ARBITRATION CLAUSES

FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERMANENT COURT

OF ARBITRATION OPTIONAL RULES FOR ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES AND/OR THE ENVIRONMENT

Future Disputes

Parties may c hoose to include the following model clause in agreements to have

disputes referred to arbitration under the PCA Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes

Relating to Natural Resources and/or the Environment:

1. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to the interpretation,

application or performance of this agreement, including its existence, validity, or

termination, shall be settled by final and binding arbitration in accordance with

the Permanent Court of Arbitration Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes

Relating to Natural Resources and/or the Environment, as in effect on the date of

this agreement. The International Bureau of the Permanen t Court of Arbitration

shall serve as Registry for the proceedings.

Parties may wish to consider adding:

2. The number of arbitrators shall be [insert ‘one’, ‘three’, or ‘five’].

3. The language(s) to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be [insert choice of

one or more languages].

4. The appointing authority shall be the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court

of Arbitration.

5. The place of arbitration shall be . . . [insert city and country].

Existing Disputes

If the Parties have not alread y entered into an arbitration agreement, or if they

mutually agree to modify a previous agreement in order to provide for arbitration under

the PCA Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Natural Resources and/or

the Environment, they may enter into an agreement in the following form:

1. The Parties agree to submit the following dispute to final and binding arbitration

in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration Optional Rules for

Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Natural Resources and/or the Environment, as

in effect on the date of this agreement: [insert brief description of dispute].