CONCILIATION

This method facilitates the out-of-court settlement of disputes between the parties through an agreement, in case they agree to apply the Conciliation Rules.

The subject of conciliation can be domestic and international disputes of a private law nature, on which the conclusion of an agreement is admissible.

 The existence of a pending court or arbitration process on the same dispute, and one that arose after the conclusion of the latter with an effective act, is not an obstacle to the initiation of conciliation.

Conciliation is voluntary and ends in an agreement that can be reproduced in an arbitration resolution under conditions agreed by the parties.

EXPEDITED PRODUCTION

The Arbitration Court at the BCCI offers the resolution of disputes between parties based in Bulgaria according to the order of expedited proceedings within 2-3 months by applying the Regulations for expedited proceedings.

The rules for expedited proceedings apply in cases where the parties have expressly agreed to this in an arbitration agreement, and also when the claimant makes an express request for this in the claim and the respondent accepts the case to be considered under the expedited procedure.

The dispute is heard by a single arbitrator.

The due arbitration fee is in the amount of 70% of the fee determined by paragraph 2, para 1 of the Tariff for arbitration fees and expenses in cases that are considered by the Arbitration Court at the BCCI.

The arbitrator, who is the Arbitral Tribunal, renders an award on the case within 10 days after the expiry of the period for written opinions and replies.

Upon reaching an agreement, which the parties wish to be reproduced in an arbitration resolution under agreed conditions, the Arbitral Tribunal shall render an award within 5 days after submission of the request for this and the agreement.

AD HOC

The Arbitration Court at the BCCI also applies the "Ad hoc" Arbitration Rules. These Rules apply when the parties to an international commercial contract have included in it an "Ad hoc" arbitration clause assisted by the Arbitration Court at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Usually, the parties choose "Ad hoc" arbitration when they want to control the arbitration procedure or when they cannot agree on the arbitral institution to which the dispute should be referred for resolution.

The Arbitration Court at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides the "Ad hoc" arbitration assisted by it with assistance for its establishment and full administrative assistance and service.

After the conclusion of the proceedings, the Arbitration Court renders a final and binding award, which is subject to enforcement.

MEDIATION

Another alternative method of dispute resolution offered by the AC at the BCCI is mediation.

This method is distinguished by a wider competence, expressed in consideration of civil, commercial, labor, family and administrative disputes, both of a domestic and international nature.

Mediation is a voluntary, party-controlled, and confidential out-of-court dispute resolution procedure in which a third-party mediator helps disputing parties reach an agreement.

The parties have equal opportunities to participate in the mediation procedure. They participate in the procedure at their own will and can withdraw at any time.

The parties control the dispute and its outcome. They are directly involved in the negotiation to resolve the dispute. The parties themselves formulate a solution to the dispute that meets their needs and interests.

The fact that mediation is voluntary means that even if the parties have mutually agreed to refer a dispute to mediation, they are not obliged to proceed with the mediation process after the first meeting. In this sense, the parties always control the mediation. Continuation of the mediation procedure depends entirely on the wishes of the parties.

The voluntary nature of mediation also means that no decision can be forced on the parties. For an agreement to be entered into, the parties must voluntarily agree to accept it.