European Treaty Series - No.

23

EUROPEAN CONVENTION FOR THE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Strasbourg, 29.IV.1957

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Preamble Thegovernmentssignatoryhereto,beingmembersoftheCouncilofEurope, ConsideringthattheaimoftheCouncilofEuropeistoachieveagreaterunitybetweenits members; Convincedthatthepursuitofpeacebaseduponjusticeisvitalforthepreservationofhuman societyandcivilisation; Resolvedtosettlebypeacefulmeansanydisputeswhichmayarisebetweenthem, Haveagreedasfollows: ChapterIJudicialsettlement Article1 TheHighContractingPartiesshallsubmittothejudgementoftheInternationalCourtof Justiceallinternationallegaldisputeswhichmayarisebetweenthemincluding,inparticular, thoseconcerning:
a b c

theinterpretationofatreaty; anyquestionofinternationallaw; the existence of any fact which, if established, would constitute a breach of an internationalobligation; the natureor extent ofthereparationto be made for thebreachofaninternational obligation.

Article2
1

The provisions of Article1 shall not affect undertakings by which the High Contracting PartieshaveacceptedormayacceptthejurisdictionoftheInternationalCourtofJusticefor thesettlementofdisputesotherthanthosementionedinArticle1. Thepartiestoadisputemayagreetoresorttotheprocedureofconciliationbeforethatof judicialsettlement. Article3 TheHighContractingPartieswhicharenotpartiestotheStatuteoftheInternationalCourtof Justiceshallcarryoutthemeasuresnecessarytoenablethemtohaveaccessthereto.

3 ETS23PeacefulSettlementofDisputes,29.IV.1957 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ChapterIIConciliation Article4

1

The High Contracting Parties shall submit to conciliation all disputes which may arise betweenthem,otherthandisputesfallingwithinthescopeofArticle1. Nevertheless,thepartiestoadisputefallingwithinthescopeofthisarticlemay agreeto submitittoanarbitraltribunalwithoutpriorrecoursetotheprocedureofconciliation. Article5 When a dispute arises which falls within the scope of Article4, it shall be referred to a PermanentConciliationCommissioncompetentinthematter,previouslysetupbytheparties concerned.IfthepartiesagreenottohaverecoursetothatCommission,orifthereisnosuch Commission,thedisputeshallbereferredtoaspecialConciliationCommission,whichshall besetupbythepartieswithinaperiodofthreemonthsfromthedateonwhicharequestto thateffectismadebyoneofthepartiestotheotherparty. Article6 In the absence of agreement to the contrary between the parties concerned, the Special ConciliationCommissionshallbeconstitutedasfollows: TheCommissionshallbecomposedoffivemembers.Thepartiesshalleachnominateone Commissioner,whomaybechosenfromamongtheirrespectivenationals.Thethreeother Commissioners, including the President, shall be chosen by agreement from among the nationalsofthirdStates.ThesethreeCommissionersshallbeofdifferentnationalitiesand shallnotbehabituallyresidentintheterritorynorbeintheserviceoftheparties. Article7 IfthenominationoftheCommissionerstobedesignatedjointlyisnotmadewithintheperiod providedforinArticle5,thetaskofmakingthenecessarynominationsshallbeentrustedto thegovernmentofathirdState,chosenbyagreementbetweentheparties,or,failingsuch agreementbeingreachedwithinthreemonths,tothePresidentoftheInternationalCourtof Justice.Shouldthelatterbeanationalofoneofthepartiestothedispute,thistaskshallbe entrustedtotheVicePresidentoftheCourtortothenextseniorjudgeoftheCourtwhoisnot anationaloftheparties. Article8 Vacancieswhichmayoccurasaresultofdeath,resignationoranyothercauseshallbefilled withintheshortestpossibletimeinthemannerfixedforthenominations. Article9

DisputesshallbebroughtbeforetheSpecialConciliationCommissionbymeansofanapplica tionaddressedtothePresidentbythetwopartiesactinginagreementor,indefaultthereof, byoneorotheroftheparties.

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Theapplication,aftergivingasummaryaccountofthesubjectofthedispute,shallcontainthe invitationtotheCommissiontotakeallnecessarymeasureswithaviewtoarrivingatan amicablesolution. Iftheapplicationemanatesfromonlyoneoftheparties,theotherpartyshall,withoutdelay, benotifiedofitbythatparty. Article10

Intheabsenceofagreement tothecontrary betweentheparties,theSpecialConciliation CommissionshallmeetattheseatoftheCouncilofEuropeoratsomeotherplaceselectedby itsPresident. TheCommissionmayatalltimesrequesttheSecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEuropeto affordithisassistance. Article11 TheworkoftheSpecialConciliationCommissionshallnotbeconductedinpublicunlessthe Commissionwiththeconsentofthepartiessodecides. Article12

Intheabsenceofagreement tothecontrary betweentheparties,theSpecialConciliation Commissionshalllaydownitsownprocedure,whichinanycasemustprovideforboth partiesbeingheard.Inregardtoenquiries,subjecttotheprovisionsofthisConvention,the Commission,unlessitdecidesunanimouslytothecontrary,shallactinaccordancewiththe provisionsofPartIII ofTheHagueConvention for thePacificSettlement ofInternational Disputesof18thOctober1907. ThepartiesshallberepresentedbeforetheConciliationCommissionbyagentswhoseduty shallbetoactasintermediariesbetweenthemandtheCommission;theymaybeassistedby counselsandexpertsappointedbythemforthatpurposeandmayrequestthatallpersons whoseevidenceappearstothemdesirableshallbeheard. TheCommissionshallbeentitledtorequestoralexplanationsfromtheagents,counselsand expertsofbothparties,aswellasfromallpersonsitmaythinkdesirabletosummonwiththe consentoftheirgovernments. Article13 Intheabsenceofagreementtothecontrarybetweentheparties,thedecisionsoftheSpecial ConciliationCommissionshallbetakenbyamajorityvoteand,exceptinrelationtoquestions ofprocedure,decisionsoftheCommissionshallbevalidonlyifallitsmembersarepresent. Article14 ThepartiesshallfacilitatetheworkoftheSpecialConciliationCommissionand,inparticular, shallsupplyittothegreatestpossibleextentwithallrelevantdocumentsandinformation. Theyshallusethemeansattheirdisposaltoallowittoproceedintheirterritory,andin accordancewiththeirlaw,tothesummoningandhearingofwitnessesorexpertsandtovisit thelocalitiesinquestion.

5 ETS23PeacefulSettlementofDisputes,29.IV.1957 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Article15

1

ThetaskoftheSpecialConciliationCommissionshallbetoelucidatethequestionsindispute, tocollectwiththatobjectallnecessaryinformationbymeansofenquiryorotherwise,andto endeavourtobringthepartiestoanagreement.Itmay,afterthecasehasbeenexamined, informthepartiesofthetermsofsettlementwhichseemsuitabletoitandlaydownthe periodwithinwhichtheyaretomaketheirdecision. Atthecloseofitsproceedings,theCommissionshalldrawupa procs verbalstating,asthe casemaybe,eitherthatthepartieshavecometoanagreementand,ifneedarises,thetermsof theagreement,orthatithasbeenimpossibletoeffectasettlement.Nomentionshallbemade intheprocs verbalofwhethertheCommission'sdecisionsweretakenunanimouslyorbya majorityvote. TheproceedingsoftheCommissionshall,unlessthepartiesotherwiseagree,beterminated withinsixmonthsfromthedateonwhichtheCommissionshallhavebeengivencognisance ofthedispute. Article16 TheCommission's procsverbalshallbecommunicatedwithoutdelaytotheparties.Itshall onlybepublishedwiththeirconsent. Article17

During the proceedings of the Commission, each of the Commissioners shall receive emoluments,theamountofwhichshallbefixedbyagreementbetweentheparties,eachof whichshallcontributeanequalshare. ThegeneralexpensesarisingoutoftheworkingoftheCommissionshallbedividedinthe samemanner. Article18 Inthecaseofamixeddisputeinvolvingbothquestionsforwhichconciliationisappropriate andotherquestionsforwhichjudicialsettlementisappropriate,anypartytothedisputeshall have the right to insist that the judicial settlement of the legal questions shall precede conciliation.

ChapterIIIArbitration Article19 TheHighContractingPartiesshallsubmittoarbitrationalldisputeswhichmayarisebetween themotherthanthosementionedinArticle1andwhichhavenotbeensettledbyconciliation, eitherbecausethepartieshaveagreednottohavepriorrecoursetoitorbecauseconciliation hasfailed. Article20

1

Thepartyrequestingarbitrationshallinformtheotherpartyoftheclaimwhichitintendsto submittoarbitration,ofthegroundsonwhichsuchclaimisbasedandofthenameofthe arbitratorwhomithasnominated.

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In the absence of agreement to the contrary between the parties concerned, the Arbitral Tribunalshallbeconstitutedasfollows: TheArbitralTribunal shallconsist offive members. Theparties shalleach nominate one member, who may be chosen from among their respective nationals. The other three arbitrators,includingthePresident,shallbechosenbyagreementfromamongthenationals ofthirdStates.Theyshallbeofdifferentnationalitiesandshallnotbehabituallyresidentin theterritorynorbeintheserviceoftheparties. Article21 IfthenominationofthemembersoftheArbitralTribunalisnotmadewithinaperiodofthree monthsfromthedateonwhichoneofthepartiesrequestedtheotherpartytoconstitutean ArbitralTribunal,thetaskofmakingthenecessarynominationsshallbeentrustedtothe governmentofathirdState,chosenbyagreementbetweentheparties,or,failingagreement withinthreemonths,tothePresidentoftheInternationalCourtofJustice.Shouldthelatterbe anationalofoneofthepartiestothedispute,thistaskshallbeentrustedtotheVicePresident oftheCourt,ortothenextseniorjudgeoftheCourtwhoisnotanationaloftheparties. Article22 Vacancieswhichmayoccurasaresultofdeath,resignationoranyothercauseshallbefilled withintheshortestpossibletimeinthemannerfixedforthenomination. Article23 Thepartiesshalldrawupaspecialagreementdeterminingthesubjectofthedisputeandthe detailsofprocedure. Article24 Intheabsenceofsufficientparticularsinthespecialagreementregardingthemattersreferred toinArticle23,theprovisionsofPartIVofTheHagueConventionof18thOctober1907for thePacificSettlementofInternationalDisputesshallapplysofaraspossible. Article25 Failingtheconclusionofaspecialagreementwithinaperiodofthreemonthsfromthedate on which the Arbitral Tribunal was constituted, the dispute may be brought before the Tribunaluponapplicationbyoneorotherparty. Article26 Ifnothingislaiddowninthespecialagreementornospecialagreementhasbeenmade,the Tribunalshalldecideexaequoetbono,havingregardtothegeneralprinciplesofinternational law, while respecting the contractual obligations and the final decisions of international tribunalswhicharebindingontheparties.

7 ETS23PeacefulSettlementofDisputes,29.IV.1957 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ChapterIVGeneralprovisions Article27 TheprovisionsofthisConventionshallnotapplyto:

a

disputesrelatingtofactsorsituationspriortotheentryintoforceofthisConventionas betweenthepartiestothedispute; disputesconcerningquestionswhichbyinternationallawaresolelywithinthedomestic jurisdictionofStates.

Article28
1

TheprovisionsofthisConventionshallnotapplytodisputeswhichthepartieshaveagreed ormayagreetosubmittoanotherprocedureofpeacefulsettlement.Nevertheless,inrespect ofdisputesfallingwithinthescopeofArticle1,theHighContractingPartiesshallrefrain from invoking asbetween themselves agreements which do not providefor a procedure entailingbindingdecisions. ThisConventionshallinnowayaffecttheapplicationoftheprovisionsoftheConventionfor theProtectionofHumanRightsandFundamentalFreedomssignedon4thNovember1950, oroftheProtocoltheretosignedon20thMarch1952. Article29

Inthecaseofadisputethesubjectofwhich,accordingtothemunicipallawofoneofthe parties,fallswithinthecompetenceofitsjudicialoradministrativeauthorities,thepartyin questionmayobjecttothedisputebeingsubmittedforsettlementbyanyoftheprocedures laiddowninthisConventionuntiladecisionwithfinaleffecthasbeenpronounced,withina reasonabletime,bythecompetentauthority. IfadecisionwithfinaleffecthasbeenpronouncedintheStateconcerned,itwillnolongerbe possibletoresorttoanyoftheprocedureslaiddowninthisConventionaftertheexpirationof aperiodoffiveyearsfromthedateoftheaforementioneddecision. Article30 Iftheexecutionofajudicialsentenceorarbitralawardwouldconflictwithajudgementor measureenjoinedbyacourtoflaworotherauthorityofoneofthepartiestothedispute,and ifthemunicipallawofthatpartydoesnotpermitoronlypartiallypermitstheconsequences ofthejudgementormeasureinquestiontobeannulled,theCourtortheArbitralTribunal shall,ifnecessary,granttheinjuredpartyequitablesatisfaction. Article31

In all cases whereadispute forms thesubject of arbitration or judicialproceedings, and particularlyifthequestiononwhichthepartiesdifferarisesoutofactsalreadycommittedor onthepointofbeingcommitted,theInternationalCourtofJustice,actinginaccordancewith Article41ofitsStatute,ortheArbitralTribunal,shalllaydownwithintheshortestpossible timetheprovisionalmeasurestobeadopted.Thepartiestothedisputeshallbeboundto acceptsuchmeasures.

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IfthedisputeisbroughtbeforeaConciliationCommissionthelattermayrecommendtothe partiestheadoptionofsuchprovisionalmeasuresasitconsiderssuitable. Thepartiesshallabstainfromallmeasureslikelytoreactprejudiciallyupontheexecutionof the judicial or arbitral decision or upon the arrangements proposed by the Conciliation Commissionand,ingeneral,shallabstainfromanysortofactionwhatsoeverwhichmay aggravateorextendthedispute. Article32

ThisConventionshallremainapplicableasbetweenthePartiesthereto,eventhoughathird State,whetheraPartytotheConventionornot,hasaninterestinthedispute. IntheprocedureofconciliationthepartiesmayagreetoinvitesuchathirdStatetointervene. Article33

Injudicialorarbitralprocedure,ifathirdStateshouldconsiderthatitslegitimateinterestsare involved,itmaysubmittotheInternationalCourtofJusticeortotheArbitralTribunala requesttointerveneasathirdparty. ItwillbefortheCourtortheTribunaltodecideuponthisrequest. Article34

Ondepositingitsinstrumentofratification,anyoneoftheHighContractingPartiesmay declarethatitwillnotbeboundby:
a b

ChapterIIIrelatingtoarbitration;or ChaptersIIandIIIrelatingtoconciliationandarbitration.

AHighContracting Party may only benefit fromthoseprovisions ofthisConvention by whichitisitselfbound. Article35

TheHighContractingPartiesmayonlymakereservationswhichexcludefromtheapplication ofthisConventiondisputesconcerningparticularcasesorclearlyspecifiedsubjectmatters, suchasterritorialstatus,ordisputesfallingwithinclearlydefinedcategories.Ifoneofthe HighContractingPartieshasmadeareservation,theotherPartiesmay enforcethesame reservationinregardtothatParty. Anyreservationmadeshall,unlessotherwiseexpresslystated,bedeemednottoapplytothe procedureofconciliation. Exceptasprovidedinparagraph4ofthisarticle,anyreservationsmustbemadeatthetimeof depositinginstrumentsofratificationoftheConvention.

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IfaHighContractingPartyacceptsthecompulsoryjurisdictionoftheInternationalCourtof Justiceunderparagraph2ofArticle36oftheStatuteofthesaidCourt,subjecttoreservations, oramendsanysuchreservations,thatHighContractingPartymaybyasimpledeclaration, andsubjecttotheprovisionsofparagraphs1and2ofthisarticle,makethesamereservations tothisConvention.SuchreservationsshallnotreleasetheHighContractingPartyconcerned fromitsobligationsunderthisConventioninrespectofdisputesrelatingtofactsorsituations priortothedateofthedeclarationbywhichtheyaremade.Suchdisputesshall,however,be submittedtotheappropriateprocedureunderthetermsofthisConventionwithinaperiodof oneyearfromthesaiddate. Article36 APartywhichisboundbyonlypartofthisConvention,orwhichhasmadereservations,may atanytime,byasimpledeclaration,eitherextendthescopeofitsobligationsorabandonall orpartofitsreservations. Article37 Thedeclarationsprovidedforinparagraph4ofArticle35andinArticle36shallbeaddressed totheSecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEurope,whoshalltransmitcopiestoeachofthe otherHighContractingParties. Article38

Disputes relating to the interpretation or application of this Convention, including those concerningtheclassificationofdisputesandthescopeofreservations,shallbesubmittedto theInternationalCourtofJustice.However,anobjectionconcerningtheobligationofaHigh ContractingPartytosubmitaparticulardisputetoarbitrationcanonlybesubmittedtothe Courtwithinaperiodofthreemonthsafterthenotificationbyonepartytotheotherofits intentiontoresorttoarbitration.Anysuchobjectionmadeafterthatperiodshallbedecided uponbythearbitraltribunal.ThedecisionoftheCourtshallbebindingonthebodydealing withthedispute. RecoursetotheInternationalCourtofJusticeinaccordancewiththeaboveprovisionsshall havetheeffectofsuspendingtheconciliationorarbitrationproceedingsconcerneduntilthe decisionoftheCourtisknown. Article39

EachoftheHighContractingPartiesshallcomplywiththedecisionoftheInternationalCourt ofJusticeortheawardoftheArbitralTribunalinanydisputetowhichitisaparty. Ifoneofthepartiestoadisputefailstocarryoutitsobligationsunderadecisionofthe InternationalCourtofJusticeoranawardoftheArbitralTribunal,theotherpartytothe disputemayappealtotheCommitteeofMinistersoftheCouncilofEurope.Shoulditdeem necessary,thelatter,actingbyatwothirdsmajorityoftherepresentativesentitledtositonthe Committee,maymakerecommendationswithaviewtoensuringcompliancewiththesaid decisionoraward.

10 ETS23PeacefulSettlementofDisputes,29.IV.1957 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Article40

1

ThisConventionmaybedenouncedbyaHighContractingPartyonlyaftertheconclusionof aperiodoffiveyearsfromthedateofitsentryintoforceforthePartyinquestion.Such denunciation shall be subject to six months' notice, which shall be communicated to the SecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEurope,whoshallinformtheotherContractingParties. Denunciationshallnot releasetheHighContracting Party concernedfromitsobligations underthisConventioninrespectofdisputesrelatingtofactsorsituationspriortothedateof thenoticereferredtointheprecedingparagraph.Suchdisputeshall,however,besubmitted totheappropriateprocedureunderthetermsofthisConventionwithinaperiodofoneyear fromthesaiddate. Subjecttothesameconditions,anyHighContractingPartywhichceasestobeamemberof theCouncilofEuropeshallceasetobeapartytothisConventionwithinaperiodofoneyear fromthesaiddate. Article41

ThisConventionshallbeopenforsignaturebythemembersoftheCouncilofEurope.Itshall beratified.InstrumentsofratificationshallbedepositedwiththeSecretaryGeneralofthe CouncilofEurope. ThisConventionshallenterintoforceonthedateofthedepositofthesecondinstrumentof ratification. Asregardsanysignatoryratifyingsubsequently,theConventionshallenterintoforceonthe dateofthedepositofitsinstrumentofratification. TheSecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEuropeshallnotifyallthemembersoftheCouncilof EuropeoftheentryintoforceoftheConvention,thenamesoftheHighContractingParties whohaveratifieditandthedepositofallinstrumentsofratificationwhichmaybeeffected subsequently. Inwitnesswhereoftheundersigned,beingdulyauthorisedthereto,havesignedthepresent Convention. Done at Strasbourg, this 29thday of April1957, in English and French, both texts being equallyauthoritative,inasinglecopywhichshallremaindepositedinthearchivesofthe Council of Europe. The Secretary General shall transmit certified copies to each of the signatories.