Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022

8 Functions of approved arbitration bodies

(1) An approved arbitration body has the following functions—

(a) to maintain a list of arbitrators who—

(i) are available to act as arbitrators under this Part (whether alone or as a member of a panel of arbitrators), and

(ii) appear to the body to be suitable, by virtue of their qualifications or experience, to act as such,

(b) to appoint an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators from that list to deal with the matter of relief from payment of a protected rent debt referred to the body for arbitration under this Part,

(c) where an arbitrator appointed by the body resigns, dies or otherwise ceases to hold office, to appoint another arbitrator from that list to fill the vacancy,

(d) to set, collect and pay its fees and the fees of an arbitrator appointed by it,

(e) to oversee any arbitration in relation to which it has appointed an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators, and

(f) to remove an arbitrator appointed by it from a case on any one of the grounds in subsection (2).

(2) The grounds for removal are—

(a) that circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to the impartiality or independence of the arbitrator,

(b) that the arbitrator does not possess the qualifications required for the arbitration,

(c) that the arbitrator is physically or mentally incapable of conducting the arbitration or there are justifiable doubts as to their capacity to do so, or

(d) that the arbitrator has refused or failed to properly conduct the arbitration, or to use all reasonable despatch in conducting the proceedings or making an award, and that substantial injustice has been or will be caused to the parties.

(3) An approved arbitration body must ensure that an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators appointed by it under subsection (1)(b) is independent from the parties to the arbitration.

(4) Where an arbitrator resigns, dies or otherwise ceases to hold office, an approved arbitration body must make arrangements relating to—

(a) the repayment of any fees or expenses already paid to the arbitrator (if any), and

(b) the arbitrator’s entitlement (if any) to fees or expenses.

(5) Where requested by, or as agreed with, the Secretary of State, an approved arbitration body must provide a report to the Secretary of State containing details of—

(a) the exercise by the approved body of its functions under this section, and

(b) any arbitrations overseen by the approved body under subsection (1)(e), including the progress of, and any awards made in relation to, such arbitrations.

(6) An approved arbitration body must publish on its website the fees payable in relation to arbitrations referred to it under this Part.