The process of arbitration administered by the World Arbitration Center generally goes through five steps as follows:

1. Before the arbitral proceedings commence

If the parties cannot resolve the dispute by themselves but have agreed to arbitrate at the World Arbitration Center, they can contact the Secretariat of the Center for information before arbitration.

An applicant (the Claimant) who intends to resolve disputes through arbitration administered by the Center shall submit an application for arbitration (request for arbitration) to the Center and pay the arbitration fee in advance according to the Center's arbitration fee schedule.

An arbitration application must meet the conditions required by the rules. If the conditions are not met, the Secretariat may require the applicant to complete.

2.The commencement of arbitration process and the initial stage of arbitration

The arbitration procedure commences on the day when the Center receives the application for arbitration.

This is followed by the defense, counterclaim (if any), documents modification and exchange, and evidence furnishing (if any).

At the same time, the procedures for the selection of arbitrators and the composition of the arbitral tribunal need to be completed.

3.Procedures after formation of the arbitral tribunal

After formation of the arbitral tribunal, the Secretariat promptly transfers the files to the arbitral tribunal.

The arbitral tribunal is the master of the arbitral proceedings and it has extensive powers. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may hear the case in any way it considers appropriate until an arbitral award is made.

Unless the arbitration is remitted for re-arbitration, the duties of the arbitral tribunal will be completed after the final award is made.

4.Court assistance before and during arbitration

Before and during the arbitration, the parties may apply to the competent courts for property preservation, evidence preservation, behavior preservation, and other interim measures. Prior to submit a substantive defense, the parties may also raise objections to the validity of an arbitration agreement or to the arbitral jurisdiction of the Center or of the arbitral tribunal, either before the Centre or a competent court.

5. Combination of arbitration with mediation

Before or during the arbitration, the parties may request a neutral third party or an arbitrator to mediate their dispute. An arbitral tribunal may record the settlement as a consent award.