Page 30 - Issue 02

Construction Disputes | 建造爭議

法院訴訟的傳統文件透露，涉及範圍廣泛。就法律程
This is a contrast to the traditional discovery in court
2
litigation where disclosure is wide and extensive . In court 序而言，常見的情況是只有少數（部份案件少於
proceedings, it is not uncommon that only very few (in some 10%）披露的文件實際應用於審訊及聆訊。仲裁的文
cases less than 10%) of the disclosed documents are
actually used in trials and hearings. The flexible approach 件透露採取靈活的方式，以免浪費時間及訟費。
towards discovery in arbitration helps prevent this waste of
time and costs.

Further, most procedural rules (e.g. the HKIAC Domestic 此外，大部分仲裁程序規則（例如香港國際仲裁中心
Arbitration Rules, the International Chamber of Commerce 《本地仲裁規則》、《國際商會仲裁規則》及《聯合
(ICC) Arbitration Rules, and the United Nations
國國際貿易法委員會仲裁規則》）鼓勵於交換答辯書
Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
Rules) encourage documents to be disclosed at the early 後的仲裁程序初期披露文件。當事人可盡量確實評估
stage of the proceedings when pleadings are exchanged. 案件的優勢及成功機會，有助各方在和平的氣氛下和
The parties can realistically evaluate the strength and 解。
merits of their cases at an early stage. There is a better
chance that the parties may settle amicably.

Time limits on hearings 聆訊時限
Chess clock procedure is available in arbitration where 仲裁設有「象棋時鐘程序」，每一方均需於若干時限
each party is given a certain limit of time for presenting its 內陳述案情及提供口頭證據。此程序有助控制仲裁聆
case and oral evidence. This is a useful procedure for
controlling the time and costs of the arbitration hearing 訊的時間及費用，因為聆訊涉及的費用一般為最高。
which is usually the most expensive step.

Certainty of hearing dates 確實聆訊日期
There is more certainty on the date of the hearing of an 仲裁程序的聆訊日期得以確定。各方通常有權選擇何
arbitration proceedings. The parties usually have a say as 時進行聆訊。就此，各方可預計準備案件所需時間，
to when they think their case should be heard. This enables
the parties to take into account the time that they would 確保得以為聆訊作出全面準備，亦可委託較合適的出
need for preparing their case to ensure that they are fully 庭代訟人。不過，在法院訴訟時，當事人對審訊日期
prepared for the hearing. They can also ensure that their 並無發言權，因為審訊日期是根據法院的時間表及案
preferred advocate will be available. In a court action, 件量而定。過去十年，法院顯然不願對當事人的律師
however, the parties do not have much say in the date of the
trial which is fixed by the court in accordance with its 是否可代表應訊，而徵詢雙方以決定訴訟及審訊 日
availability and capacity. In the last decade, the court has 期。
shown its increased reluctance to fix the date of hearings
and trials in consultation with the parties in respect of the
availability of their Counsel.

Cap on recoverable costs 可追討費用上限
Section 2GL of the Arbitration Ordinance enables the costs 《仲裁條例》第 2GL 條訂明，如各方同意，勝訴一方
to be recovered ultimately by the winning party to be
capped provided that the parties agree. The rationale is to 最終可追討的費用會設定上限。理由是避免費用與所
prevent costs from becoming disproportionate to the size of 索償款額不成比例。此舉亦可保障開支用得其所。一
the claim. It is also a powerful tool for preventing costs from 般而言，其中一方的財務狀況會比另一方更具優勢。
being wasted. Often, one party is in a better financial 就可追討的費用設定上限，有助避免具備更高財力的
position than the other. A cap on recoverable costs can
help prevent the party with more resources from bullying the 一方提出不充分的理據及不必要的非正審申請，藉此
other by raising unmeritorious arguments and making 欺壓另一方，增加訴訟費用。
unnecessary interlocutory applications which escalate
costs.

2 See guidelines at Compagnie Financiere et Commerciale du Pacifique v The Peruvian Guano Co (1882) 11 QBD 55
有關原則見 Compagnie Financiere et Commerciale du Pacifique v The Peruvian Guano Co (1882) 11 QBD 55

Issue No. 2 CIC Newsletter
30 第二期 01 / 2010 建造業議會通訊