SCIA Hearing Centre—North America

In order to resolve the economic and trade disputes between Chinese and American enterprises efficiently, as well as harmoniously and fairly promote the cooperation between them, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) established the SCIA Arbitration Hearing Centre—North America in Los Angeles in 2017. This was the first overseas arbitration hearing centre that represented China's international arbitration institutions.

Relying on Shenzhen's economic and trade representative offices in North America, and with the support of the Shenzhen Investment Promotion Agency and other organizations, SCIA established the first overseas arbitration hearing centre for China's international arbitration in Los Angeles, United States. This collaborative and innovative action effectively promoted its ability to serve China's foreign trade and overseas investment. This was also a concrete step forward for Shenzhen's goal of creating a world-class business environment as a pioneer city in terms of China's economic liberalization. The SCIA Arbitration Hearing Centre—North America has three functions: First, it provides SCIA a way to settle cases overseas. The international commercial arbitration cases that involve North America can be settled based on the principle of proximity at this arbitration hearing centre. Second, it facilitates the overseas promotion of a business environment with rule of law in Shenzhen. The foreign enterprises participating in arbitration hearings will have firsthand experience of the so-called "Shenzhen Rules" and the business environment with rule of law in Shenzhen's economic and trade representative offices. Furthermore, SCIA regularly provides training services on the Arbitration Rules of SCIA to foreign arbitrators with the support of the arbitration hearing centre. It does this to strengthen the presence of "Shenzhen Rules" and "Shenzhen Standards" abroad. Third, it strengthens the presence of the Qianhai Pilot Zone of Law-Based Governance abroad. As an integral part of Qianhai's law-based governance innovation, SCIA has strengthened the presence of the Qianhai Pilot Zone of Law-Based Governance abroad by establishing the overseas arbitration hearing centre in accordance with General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions on how Qianhai Pilot Zone of Socialism Law-Based Governance should be constructed. It also helps Qianhai explore how it can play a demonstrative, radiating, and guiding role in the construction of a business environment with rule of law in FTZs.

The exploration and practice of establishing the SCIA Arbitration Hearing Centre—North America is of great significance. It marks the deepening of China's "Going Global" strategy for international arbitration, the participation of "Chinese Rules" within the framework of international competition at a higher level, and the real achievement of Chinese arbitration institutions in going global from Shenzhen. It shows China's "confidence in the system" and determination to contribute to "China’s Wisdom and China's Plan".