In our previous newsletter, we indicated what aspects should be considered before starting an arbitration process. In this edition, we explain the content of the answer to arbitration complaint.
Previous considerations:
1) Know the facts and evidence filed.
2) Verify arbitration competence.
3) Evidence to answer the complaint, defenses, and exceptions.
4) Determine viability of counterclaim, and related evidence.
5) Others, which depend on the object and/or nature of defenses, exceptions and/or countercomplaint.
Content of the complaint response:
I. Parties:
Identify them completely (defendant and/or plaintiff and/or defendant in countercomplaint): name of the company, nationality, incorporation data, identification of its legal representative or attorney-in-fact, address (building, floor, office number, street, city, country, email, phone).
II. Answering facts:
Respond to them appropriately, protecting the entrusted rights and/or interests, seeking effective defense.
III. Claims and/or amount:
State opposition, rejection and/or non-acceptance, corresponding to the case.
IV. Defenses:
State the facts and defense considerations.
V. Exceptions:
Alleged them in a clear, detailed manner, proposing the relevant evidence.
If applicable, promote incompetence of the Arbitration Court.
VI. Complaint evidence:
Present the corresponding objections, appoint experts, and/or add relevant questions to potential questionnaires.
VII. Petitions:
They must be indicated facing the complaint, including exceptions, process expenses, interests, and legal costs.
VIII. Evidences:
a) Documentary.
They must first be completely known, understood and manageable.
b) Acknowledgments of signatures and/or documents.
Unless they are documents that could be considered false or illegal, agreements between the parties are viable to avoid the appearance of people for this purpose.
c) Testimonials and/or statements from parties.
d) Reports.
Identify the public or private entities to which they are directed, and the points and/or documents that are requested.
e) Inspections.
Indicate the points and/or questions to be answered by the experts, and their designation: we request that an inspection be ordered on books, journals, ledgers, contracts, correspondence, emails, notes, communications, files and records, corresponding to the lines from the months of the year (indicate), until the year (indicate), and until the moment in which the diligence is being carried out; existing at the address of (identify), and other offices and facilities, where the documents and information are located; so that the experts determine the following points (list).
f) Expert Evidence.
Indicate the points and/or questions to be answered by the experts, and their designation.
IX. Appointment of main and substitute arbitrator:
Designate, with full name, profession and address, the main and substitute arbitrator.
X. Law:
Applicable substantive rules, arbitration regulations, and provisions governing the procedure.
Countercomplaint: If promoted by the defendant, it must contain the requirements that an arbitration claim.
For your easy reference, on our website you will find an article detailing one by one the requirements that a complaint must contain. Follow the link https://evansgrouplaw.com/en/blog/
Should you require additional information on the topic, do not hesitate to contact one of our experts at evans@evansgrouplaw.com