How Does the ASEAN Dispute Resolution Mechanism Work?

How Does the ASEAN Dispute Resolution Mechanism Work?

Having an efficient means of resolving disagreements that arise between member nations has become an essential requirement as economic cooperation has grown. As a result, ASEAN has been working on a Protocol on a Dispute Settlement Mechanism since 1996. On November 20, 1996, ASEAN Economic Ministers signed the Protocol in Manila (Philippines).

Dispute Settlement Mechanism of ASEAN

The spirit of negotiation and mediation is the foundation of ASEAN's dispute resolution system. Parties to the dispute in Member States have the option to select mediation methods at any time. These structures might start or end out of the blue. The complainant took the matter to the Senior Economic Officials Meeting of ASEAN (SEOM) only after the mediation process had ended. Mediation procedures will continue to apply while the dispute is ongoing if the parties to it agree.

The matter will be referred to SEOM if the consultation does not resolve the dispute within sixty (60) days of receipt. SEOM will either form a panel or, if that is not possible, send the matter to the special rules and procedures team or another group for evaluation. However, in some instances, SEOM may decide to settle the dispute without appointing a panel if deemed necessary.

Within thirty (30) days of the panel's submission of the report, SEOM will evaluate it during its discussion and make a decision regarding the dispute. SEOM may have an additional ten (10) days to resolve a dispute in exceptional circumstances. Parties to the dispute may be represented by SEOM representatives at the meeting, but they may not vote on SEOM decisions. SEOM will decide by majority vote.

Within thirty (30) days, parties to the dispute may appeal the SEOM's decisions to the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM). Within thirty (30) days of receiving the appeal, AEM must issue a decision. AEM may have an additional ten (10) days to resolve the dispute in exceptional circumstances.

ANT Lawyers have Litigation and Dispute lawyers in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City that help clients dealing with dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution in Vietnam.

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When Labour Dispute over Bonus Issue Arise and How to Resolve?

When Labour Dispute over Bonus Issue Arise and How to Resolve?

According to the provisions the Labor Code, the bonus, also known as the “other supplement”, is one of the main contents of the Labor Contract. Specifically, bonus is understood as a sum of money paid by an employer to the employees on the basis of annual business results and the level of work performance of employees. When the dispute arises, the employer or the employee could consult with labour dispute lawyers in Vietnam to handle the matter effectively.

Related post: How to Resolve Disputes in Labour in Vietnam?

Bonus regulations of each company must be decided and publicly announced by the employer at the workplace after consultation with the representative organization of the grassroots-level employees’ collective. However, there are companies that do not specify bonus regulations or companies with unclear bonus regulations referring to such generally as “based on capability”, or “based on work results” without referring to specific key performance indicator (KPI). Such regulations will easily cause labor disputes. In most of the case, the employee would face disadvantage because the employer will be the one whom make the final decision on whether or not the capability or work results are satisfied.

A labor dispute means a dispute over rights, obligations and interests among the parties during the establishment, execution or termination of labor relation; a dispute between the representative organizations of employees; a dispute over a relationship that is directly relevant to the labor relation. Labor disputes over bonuses can be individual labor disputes or collective labor disputes. The competence authority to settle labor disputes belongs to the Labor Mediator, the Labor Arbitration Council, and the People’s Court. Normally, individual labor disputes or collective labor disputes must go through the mediation procedure of the labor mediator before referring to the court to settle, unless otherwise provided for by law.

For individual disputes, in case the conciliation is unsuccessful or either party fails to implement the agreements in the minutes of successful conciliation or the settlement time limit expires but if the labour conciliator fails to conduct conciliation, each disputing party has the right to request a court or arbitration council for settlement.

For collective disputes over bonuses, in case the conciliation is unsuccessful or one of the two parties fails to implement the agreements in the minutes of successful conciliation, the parties have the right to request the President of the district-level People’s Committee to resolve the dispute. If the parties disagree with the decision of the President of the People’s Committee of the district or beyond the time limit but the President of the People’s Committee of the district does not settle, the parties have the right to request the Court to settle. In such situation, a litigation lawyer would be engaged to assist for productive result. 

ANT Lawyers – A law firm in Vietnam, always follow up the labour matters to update clients on regular basis.

 Source ANT Lawyers : https://antlawyers.vn/library/when-labour-dispute-over-bonus-issue-arise-and-how-to-resolve.html

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Methods of Dispute Settlement in International Trade

Methods of Dispute Settlement in International Trade

When drafting international contracts in international trade, the parties typically pay little attention to the terms of dispute resolution and instead focus more on payment and expense terms. As a result, both parties ought to be aware that disagreements and disagreements can occur at any time. As a result, the parties to an international economic agreement ought to pay attention to the provisions regarding the various options for resolving disagreements in the event of one. There are currently four methods of dispute settlement in international trade: negotiation, mediation commercial arbitration, and court.

Negotiation

In international dispute resolution, negotiation is typically used as a method of resolution. Particularly, the parties talk together, fight, come to an agreement, and settle the dispute. The dispute may or may not be resolved as a result of the negotiation. There are two methods used in negotiations: The two parties meet in person to discuss and negotiate, or one party submits a complaint to the other and the other responds.

Mediation

Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps the disputing parties reach an agreement. There are two methods for mediating: One is that the parties are in agreement regarding mediation, that the mediator will be chosen, and that the mediation will be conducted without following any mediation rules. The subsequent way is that the gatherings consent to direct the intervention under rules of an expert association or one explicit discretion establishment, for example, intercession rules of the Worldwide Office of Trade (ICC).

Commercial arbitration

Arbitration is a method for resolving disputes arising from trade activities that parties agree upon and are carried out in accordance with the order and procedures. Currently, there are several types of arbitration, including: permanent arbitration and ad hoc arbitration.

Court

The three above methods of dispute resolution are voluntary. They are distinct from dispute resolution in accordance with court procedures. Disputes should be resolved through the efforts of state tribunals, not by court settlement. As a result, litigants in the dispute are frequently viewed as the ultimate means of safeguarding their legitimate interests. In particular, parties will choose trade negotiation or mediation over commercial arbitration or court when there is a conflict.

ANT Lawyers, a Vietnam-based law firm, regularly informs clients about the status of dispute resolution in international trade cases. We have dispute lawyers in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City with qualification and experience to assist client to resolve dispute in Vietnam.

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When Arbitration Lawyers in Vietnam Could Settle a Dispute?

When Arbitration Lawyers in Vietnam Could Settle a Dispute?

Under the Law on Business Mediation powerful Jan first, 2011, and other directions, on a basic level, discretion must be utilized in questions among parties that emerge from business exercises, debates among parties something like one of whom conducts business exercises, and different debates among parties which are specified by regulation to be settled by intervention in Vietnam. From drafting the arbitration agreement to resolving the arising dispute, an arbitration lawyers in Vietnam should be consulted.

Arbitral tribunals are entitled to resolve the disputes mentioned above if the concerned parties have a valid arbitration agreement agreed, before or after the dispute arises.

At the point when the court is mentioned to determine one of the debates of the above sorts which a legitimate discretion understanding exists, the court will look at records encased with the request to decide and in the event that the court observes that the question is under a mediation understanding and such assertion understanding is substantial the court will give a choice to end the settlement, return the request and reports.

The question will be dealt with by the court however it is under a discretion arrangement, except if generally concurred by the gatherings concerned or endorsed by regulation: the court gives a choice to dissolve the arbitral honor or the choice made by the arbitral council; or on the other hand there is a choice to suspend the arbitral council or mediation focus from settling questions; or on the other hand the mediation arrangement isn't suitable.

ANT Lawyers, a Vietnam-based law firm, will be available to help clients resolve disputes outside of court, in court, or through arbitration lawyers in Vietnam.

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How does the Vietnam Labor Code regulate probation?

How does the Vietnam Labor Code regulate probation?

Probation is an understanding between a representative and a business on a trial work in a specific timeframe as per the arrangements of regulation. Both the employer and the employee should go through a trial period before signing a labor contract to see if they can work together in the long run. The Labor Code and other relevant guidelines should be followed during the probation. The Labor Code 2019 comes into force as of January first, 2020, various new guidelines as needs be are given in association with the probation, which each organization ought to  review the matter with its labour dispute lawyers in Vietnam for compliance.

This contract does not apply to employment for less than one month, regardless of the circumstances under which it may be entered into. The probationary clause is not required to be included in the labor contract by the 2012 Labor Code. As a result, an employer and employee may negotiate the probation, as well as their respective rights and responsibilities during the probation period. If the parties are in agreement about the probation, they can sign a probation contract. On the off chance that the probation work meets the necessities, the business will finish up a work contract with the representative. It is clear from these provisions that a separate probationary contract between the employer and employee is required.

When the probation period is over and the employee satisfies the employer's recruitment requirements, the labor contract should be signed. As per the most recent arrangements in the Labor Code 2019, the business and the representative might settle on the probation expressed in the work contract or a different trial contract. If the labor contract includes a probationary period, the employer is obligated to continue carrying out the current agreement once the employee has met all of the requirements. In that case, a new labor contract must be signed.

Based on the nature and complexity of the job, the Labor Code decided how long the probation period had to be. For positions requiring a college degree or higher, the probationary period was previously limited to no more than 60 days. Currently, executives can extend their probationary period by up to 180 days. The owner of a sole proprietorship, the partner of a partnership company, the chairperson or member of the Board of Members, the President of a company, the President or member of the Board of Directors, the Director/General Director, or the holder of another managerial position prescribed in the company's charter (applicable to the enterprise without state capital) are examples of executives who play a significant part in the business and operation of the businesses.

The Labor Code 2019 made another change to the cancellation of probationary contracts, removing the restriction on the right to cancel. Consequently, during the probationary period, either party may terminate the labor contract or probationary contract without penalty or prior notice. On the other hand, if the probationary job does not meet the requirements that the employer and employee have agreed upon under the Labor Code 2012, the probation may be terminated.

The primary purpose of probationary periods is to determine whether an employee and employer are compatible at the outset of an employment relationship. To avoid a potential dispute in Vietnam, businesses as employers must have a clear understanding of the principles of entering into a labor contract and a probationary contract.

ANT Lawyers is an international law firm in Vietnam with English speaking lawyers, located in the business centers of Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City with international standards, recognized by IFLR1000. We are Vietnam exclusive member of Prae Legal, an international law firm network, providing full ranges of legal services.

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What are the Arbitration Principles of Dispute Resolution?

What are the Arbitration Principles of Dispute Resolution?

Arbitration, mediation, negotiation, and litigation are all methods of dispute resolution. For disputes to be resolved, a law firm in Vietnam needs dispute lawyers who have the expertise and experience necessary to resolve complex cross-border, commercial, and civil disputes.

The following principles must be followed when settling a dispute in arbitration, according to Article 4 of the Vietnam Law on Commercial Arbitration:

If the parties' agreement does not violate social ethics or prohibitions, arbitration lawyers must respect it.

Arbitrators must be independent, objective and impartial and shall observe law.

Parties in dispute have the same rights and responsibilities. The arbitration council is responsible for establishing the conditions necessary for disputing parties to exercise their rights and fulfill their responsibilities.

Dispute settlement by arbitration shall be conducted in private, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

The arbitral awards are final.

Discretion has turned into a very famous technique for question goal, as numerous organizations lean toward it over the significant expenses of prosecution.

Arbitration lawyers in Vietnam may also be able to assist clients with a variety of issues, including choosing an arbitrator, choosing the rules for the arbitration, selecting an ad hoc or institutional arbitration, selecting a location for the arbitration, and obtaining the enforcement of the arbitral award.

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Languages in Arbitration Proceedings in Vietnam

What are Languages in Arbitration Proceedings in Vietnam?

Article 10 of the Vietnam Law on Commercial Arbitration says that if both parties are Vietnamese, the language used in arbitration proceedings to settle a dispute is Vietnamese, or a language agreed upon by both parties if one of them is a foreign-owned business. Specifically:

Except for disputes in which at least one party is a foreign-invested enterprise, the language of arbitration is Vietnamese for disputes with no foreign component. A dispute party may employ an interpreter if it is unable to speak Vietnamese.

For questions including unfamiliar components or debates to which no less than one party is an unfamiliar contributed undertaking, the gatherings will agree on the language to be utilized in arbitral procedures. The arbitration council will decide on the language to be used in arbitration proceedings if they do not have such an agreement.

Arbitration lawyers in Vietnam can also help clients with a variety of issues, such as choosing an arbitrator, choosing the rules for the arbitration, choosing an ad hoc or institutional arbitration, choosing a location for the arbitration, and getting an arbitral award enforced.

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