Section 20: Arbitration of disputes

20. Arbitration of disputes (1) Where a dispute arises in relation to a contract, a party to the dispute may, not later than 21 days after the dispute arose, refer it to the supervising officer. (2) On receipt of a notice under subsection (1), the supervising officer shall set up an Arbitration Committee comprising 3 public officers, not below the rank of Assistant Secretary or equivalent rank, to hear and determine the dispute. (3) An officer shall not be eligible to sit on the Arbitration Committee. (4) Any party to a dispute may be assisted at the hearing by a law practitioner or a technical expert. (5) The decision of the Arbitration Committee on the dispute referred to it under subsection (1) shall— (a) be in writing; (b) set out the reasons for the decision; and (c) be communicated to every interested party. (6) Where a dispute is resolved by an agreement, the Arbitration Committee shall— (a) record the agreement in writing; and (b) cause the agreement to be signed by the parties to the dispute. (7) Any party who is aggrieved by a decision of the Arbitration Committee may appeal against the decision to the Supreme Court, by way of judicial review. PART VIII – ENFORCEMENT