On 1 June 2026, the latest version of the ICC Rules of Arbitration (the “2026 Rules”) came into effect, implementing a substantive overhaul to the previous rules which were laid down in 2021. One of the novel concepts in the 2026 Rules is the conception of the ‘Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions’ (“HEAP”), which can be found in Appendix VI of the 2026 Rules.
HEAP puts speed at the forefront of the arbitration; offering parties a forum in which they can obtain an award swiftly. With that speed, inevitably comes the sacrifice of many characteristics which are common within the arbitral procedure and a limitation to the submissions that can be advanced. This note will provide a brief overview of key elements of HEAP.
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The implementation of HEAP within the 2026 Rules brings the ICC’s offering of an efficient, high speed arbitral procedure up to date with the offerings of other institutions across the globe, such as the ‘Streamlined Procedure’ under the SIAC 2025 Rules. Given the number of arbitrations that have proceeded under the Expedited Procedure Provision in excess of the applicable cap, the ICC have responded to the call for parties to place a greater emphasis on speed. Time will tell how many parties ‘opt-in’ to HEAP, but it is likely to be a welcome addition to the ICC Arbitration offering given the inherent cost savings and will be particularly appropriate for simpler disputes and straightforward issues.
This factsheet provides a brief overview of some of the key features of the ICC’s Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions and does not seek to be an exhaustive analysis of the 2026 Rules. If you have any questions regarding HEAP, ICC arbitration, or dispute resolution more generally, please get in touch with Clarkslegal’s dispute resolution team.
This factsheet provides an overview of the ICC’s Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions (HEAP), outlining some of the key procedural features introduced by Appendix VI of the 2026 Rules and the potential benefits of this new expedited process.
