On 17 December 2026, HKIAC announced an increased threshold for its Expedited Procedure and a fee update for cases administered under the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules. Together with its announcement, HKIAC published a Report on Hourly Rate of Arbitrators in HKIAC Administered Arbitrations.
The monetary changes are applicable to all cases submitted to HKIAC under its 2024 Administered Arbitration Rules (2024 Rules) from 1 January 2026.
Expanded scope for Expedited Procedure
HKIAC has expanded the scope for its Expedited Procedure by raising the monetary threshold from HKD 25 million (approx. USD 3.2 million) to HKD 50 million (approx. USD 6.4 million).
A party may now apply to HKIAC for the arbitration to be conducted in accordance with the Expedited Procedure under Article 42.2 of the 2024 Rules where (a) the amount in dispute representing the aggregate of any claim and counterclaim (or any set-off defence or cross-claim) does not exceed HKD 50 million, or (b) the parties so agree, or (c) in cases of exceptional urgency.
By comparison, the monetary threshold under the 2025 SIAC Rules is approx. USD 7.8 million (SGD 10 million) and USD 3 million under the 2021 ICC Rules.
In the 2025 Queen Mary International Arbitration Survey, 50% of respondents identified expedited arbitration procedures as the most effective mechanisms for enhancing efficiency. Respondents indicated that such procedures are particularly useful in less complex cases with their success depending on the tribunal’s readiness to make swift decisions. Drivers for users to choose expedited procedures were pragmatic concerns, principally the desire to minimise costs (65%) and ensure rapid resolution (58%), particularly for disputes of lower value or complexity.
In 2024, HKIAC received 24 applications for the Expedited Procedure; 13 applications were granted, 9 rejected, and 2 were pending as of the end of 2024.
Increased Registration Fee
HKIAC has slightly raised its Registration Fee from HKD 8,000 to HKD 10,000 (approx. USD 1,285) for all cases. This is the first increase in 12 years.
Increased HKIAC Administrative Fee
Under Schedule 1, HKIAC’s Administrative Fee is determined in accordance with the Schedule of Fees stated on HKIAC’s website on the date the Notice of Arbitration is submitted. The fee increases incrementally with the sum in dispute, up to a maximum amount.
HKIAC has increased its Administrative Fee under the Schedule of Fees by 10%. The new maximum fee in disputes exceeding HKD 400 million (approx. USD 51.4 million) in value has been increased by 10% from HKD 400,000 to HKD 440,000 (approx. USD 56,500). However, the new minimum fee in disputes up to HKD 400,000 (approx. USD 51,400) in value has been lowered from HKD 19,800 to HKD 15,000 (approx. USD 1,930).
A table of HKIAC’s Administrative Fees applicable from 1 January 2026 and to HKIAC’s Fee Calculator is here. A table with the previously applicable fees is here.
Increase of hourly rate cap for arbitrators
HKIAC’s Administered Arbitration Rules offer flexibility on how to remunerate arbitral tribunals. Parties may choose between remuneration based on hourly rates (Schedule 2) and the sum in dispute (Schedule 3), with hourly rates as default.
Hourly rates are capped. A higher rate may be charged only if expressly agreed by all parties or if HKIAC determines so in exceptional circumstances. The cap has now been increased from HKD 6,500 to HKD 7,500 (approx. USD 963). This is the first increase since 2013.
The maximum hourly rate for tribunal secretaries remains at HKD 2,500 (approx. USD 320).
A recommended wording for parties who want to specify upfront their chosen method for remunerating the tribunal can be found in an optional provision under HKIAC’s Model Clause. Parties can find further guidance in HKIAC’s Practice Notes on Costs of Arbitration – Schedule 2 (hourly rates) and Schedule 3 (sum in dispute).
Report on Hourly Rate of Arbitrators in HKIAC Administered Arbitrations
HKIAC’s Report covers a comprehensive study on hourly rates charged by arbitrators in 1,429 arbitrator appointments and confirmations in HKIAC administered arbitrations either under its Administered Arbitration Rules (where hourly rates are capped) or the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules (where hourly rates are not capped) from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2024.
The Report provides empirical insights into arbitrator fee trends. It provides transparency and aims to help users make informed decisions when selecting arbitrators or choosing between hourly rate and ad valorem models. It also intends to guide arbitrators on the typical range of hourly rates seen by HKIAC.
The key findings are:
- Remuneration based on hourly rates was adopted in around 97% of arbitrations under the Administered Arbitration Rules.
- 53% of cases with an amount in dispute below HKD 25 million were heard by a sole arbitrator, whereas 92% of cases with an amount in dispute above HKD 100 million were heard by 3-member tribunals.
- The average hourly rate correlates with the amount in dispute.
- Sole arbitrators’ rates are typically lower than those of arbitrators in 3-member tribunals; however, sole arbitrators are more common in lower value cases.
- Co-arbitrators’ rates are typically lower than those of presiding arbitrators. The average rate for co-arbitrators ranged from 88% to 97% of the average rates for the presiding arbitrator.
- HKIAC-appointed arbitrators’ rates are typically lower than the rates of party-designated arbitrators and/or presiding arbitrators designated by co-arbitrators.
- The hourly rates cap under the Administered Arbitration Rules (HKD 6,500 during the 5-year review period) was rarely exceeded. The few cases where the limit was exceeded were based on parties’ consent and specific circumstances.
- Approximately 64% of cases under the Administered Arbitration Rules applied rates below the cap. The most commonly observed rates were between HKD 6,000 and HKD 6,500, followed by the ranges from HKD 4,000 to HKD 5,000, and from HKD 5,000 to HKD 6,000.
- Hourly rates in HKIAC administered cases under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules (no capped rates) tended to be higher than in cases under Administered Arbitration Rules. This finding also corresponds to our experience in complex, high-value ad hoc arbitrations.
Takeaways
- The monetary threshold for the Expedited Procedure has doubled. This will lead to a substantial rise in cases under that procedure where the tribunal can decide the dispute on a documents-only basis and must deliver its award within 6 months of receiving the case file.
- HKIAC’s fee and arbitrator rate cap increases are reasonable and moderate, especially given the long time since the last adjustments. While these increases may result in higher costs, their overall effect on arbitration costs should not be significant because arbitrator and case administration fees typically represent less than 20% of the total costs of the proceedings. The majority of costs comprises party costs, which include legal fees, costs related to witnesses and expert evidence, and various other expenditures incurred by the parties.
- The Report offers valuable insights into arbitrator remunerations based on hourly rates in HKIAC administered arbitrations for parties, counsel and arbitrators. That ad valorem remuneration was rarely used during the review period is likely because parties did not agree on it beforehand and did not consider or could not agree on it aftertheir dispute had arisen, even if it may have meant lower arbitrator fees. Depending on the transaction and the potential value and complexity of likely disputes, parties should consider whether to agree to ad valorem remuneration in their arbitration clause.
