AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre

What AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre does

AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) is a non-profit intergovernmental arbitration and dispute resolution institution established in May 2022 and headquartered in the Former French Mission Building in Central, Hong Kong. It operates under the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), whose 49 member states span Asia and Africa, and is the sixth such regional arbitration centre after Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Tehran, and Nairobi. The centre provides institutional and ad hoc arbitration, mediation, adjudication (as a formally recognised Adjudicator Nominating Body under Hong Kong's Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance), sports dispute resolution under a 2026 HKSAR Government pilot scheme, and .hk and .香港 domain name dispute resolution under appointment by HKIRC.

The centre's core technology is a state-of-the-art Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform backed by eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, capable of supporting physical, online, and hybrid proceedings with AI-supported translation, real-time transcription, and eKYC features aligned with the APEC ODR Framework. Supporting capabilities include an arbitration fee calculator, mediation fee calculator, model clauses, and specialty panels of arbitrators, mediators, sports mediators, and Greater Bay Area arbitrators. The organisation is led by Director Chan Hiu Fung Stephen (former Founding Chairman of eBRAM) and Vice Director Cai Weiping, with governance exercised through five committees covering Personnel/Finance & Audit, Appointment, Appeal, Rules, and Panel Management.

Revenue is generated through transaction-based fees across service lines, including arbitration registration fees and tiered administrative fees up to HK$400,000, mediation fees up to HK$250,000 plus hourly mediator rates, domain dispute fees of HK$15,000 (single-member) and HK$35,000 (three-member), adjudication nomination fees of HK$4,000–HK$10,000, training programme fees, and event fees. The sports dispute resolution pilot scheme receives government subsidies for eligible non-commercial cases. Customers span international commercial parties, Belt and Road investors, construction industry participants, sports organisations, and domain name holders across AALCO member states and beyond.

Name

AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre

Legal name

AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre

Website

https://aalcohkrac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre is a non-profit intergovernmental institution providing arbitration, mediation, adjudication, sports dispute resolution, and .hk domain dispute services to international commercial parties, construction, sports, and government clients across AALCO's 49 member states in Asia and Africa via an eBRAM-backed ODR platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Dispute Resolution Services

NAICS

Public Administration (92)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Accreditation Appeals, Arbitration & Compliance Oversight Bodies (EDADACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution (BPAHAMAE), Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC)

Keywords

• International arbitration services
• Online dispute resolution
• Commercial mediation services
• Construction adjudication services
• Domain name dispute resolution

Headquarters

HQ city

Central

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Arbitration Services: Fees for arbitration proceedings including registration fees, administrative fees based on dispute amount, and arbitrator fees charged at hourly rates up to HK$6,500 per hour
2. Mediation Services: Fees for mediation proceedings including acceptance fees of HK$2,000 and administrative fees calculated based on dispute amount with fixed and variable components
3. Adjudication Nomination Services: ANB fees for adjudicator nomination and appointment based on dispute amount, ranging from HK$4,000 to HK$10,000, plus adjudicator fees
4. Domain Name Dispute Resolution: Domain arbitration program fees for .hk and .香港 domain disputes with single-member panel at HK$15,000 total and three-member panel at HK$35,000 total
5. Sports Dispute Resolution: Registration fees and administrative fees for sports mediation and arbitration services under the Pilot Scheme, with government subsidy for eligible cases

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre is an intergovernmental dispute resolution institution that provides institutional and ad hoc arbitration, mediation, adjudication, sports dispute resolution, and .hk/.香港 domain name dispute resolution services through its Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform, delivered in physical, online, and hybrid modes. It also offers training programmes and certification pathways for mediators, adjudicators, and arbitrators, supported by specialist panels drawn from AALCO's 49 member states.

Product overview

AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre operates as a unified institutional dispute resolution platform offering multiple integrated services: arbitration (institutional and ad hoc), mediation, sports dispute resolution (under the 2026 Pilot Scheme and Sports Industry Mediation and Arbitration Rules), adjudication (under Hong Kong's Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance), and .hk/.香港 domain name dispute resolution. The Centre's core differentiator is its state-of-the-art Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform — supported by eBRAM with AI-powered translation, real-time transcription, and eKYC — which underpins all service lines and enables physical, online, and hybrid modes. Supporting offerings include an Arbitration Fee Calculator, Mediation Fee Calculator, training programmes (AALCO Med Training, Sports Mediation Training, Adjudication Training, International Arbitration Masterclass), the Fireside Chat series, and the Annual Arbitration Forum. The Centre also maintains specialist panels for arbitrators (including a Greater Bay Area panel), mediators (including sports mediators), and adjudicators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform A state-of-the-art online dispute resolution platform supporting institutional and ad hoc arbitration, mediation, and adjudication in physical, online, and hybrid modes, featuring AI-supported translation, real-time transcription, and eKYC capabilities.
• Arbitration Services Institutional and ad hoc arbitration services including model arbitration clauses, an arbitration fee calculator, arbitrator empanelment, a panel of arbitrators, and a panel of Greater Bay Area arbitrators.
• Mediation Services Mediation services including model mediation clauses, a mediation fee calculator, mediator empanelment, and a panel of mediators.
• Sports Dispute Resolution Services Sports-specific mediation and arbitration services under the Sports Industry Mediation and Arbitration Rules, including a Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution with a 'mediate first, arbitrate second' mechanism, sports mediator panel, and sports arbitrator panel.
• Adjudication Services Adjudication services under the Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance (Cap. 652), including adjudicator empanelment and a formally recognised Adjudicator Nominating Body (ANB) providing adjudicators for Hong Kong's construction industry.
• Domain Name Dispute Resolution Services Official .hk and .香港 domain name dispute resolution services, appointed by HKIRC, conducted under the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609) with policies and rules compliant with international best practices.
• AALCO (Med) Training Programme A two-stage mediator training programme (lecture + examination) awarding designations such as AALCO (AMed), AALCO (Med), AALCO (Sports AMed), and AALCO (Sports Med), with an optional Industry Insights Series covering the sports sector.
• Adjudication Training Programme Training programme for adjudicators under the Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance (Cap. 652), conducted in collaboration with HKIA, HKIE, and HKIS. The inaugural programme was held in April 2025.
• Sports Mediation Training Programme Sports-specific mediation training programme conducted jointly with the Hong Kong Olympic Academy, aimed at cultivating sports dispute resolution talent in Hong Kong and overseas, with the third session held in March 2026.
• AALCO International Arbitration Masterclass Advanced arbitration training masterclass covering international arbitration topics, held in June 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most domain arbitration cases completed within 60 days
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Hong Kong Internet Registration Management Limited (HKIRC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022AALCO-HKRAC was appointed by HKIRC as the official dispute resolution institution for .hk and .香港 domain name disputes. The centre conducts arbitration proceedings under the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609) providing final and binding decisions following fair and efficient principles aligned with international best practices.
• eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution CentrecoreTechnology or IntegrationAALCO-HKRAC's ODR platform is technologically supported by eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, providing secure, reliable, and user-friendly advanced platform infrastructure with AI-supported translation, real-time transcription, eKYC and other features.
• Hong Kong Olympic AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAALCO-HKRAC jointly organizes sports mediation training courses with the Hong Kong Olympic Academy to cultivate sports dispute resolution talent in Hong Kong and overseas, contributing to establishing Hong Kong as a regional and international sports dispute resolution centre.
• Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-organization of Adjudicator Training Programme for the Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance (SOPO) Chapter 652, conducted in April 2025 with HKIA, HKIE, and HKIS.
• Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-organization of Adjudicator Training Programme for SOPO with HKIA and HKIS, contributing to professional development of adjudicators in the construction industry.
• Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-organization of Adjudicator Training Programme for SOPO with HKIA and HKIE, supporting professional standards in construction dispute resolution.
• Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs)minorOthersTWGHs entrusted AALCO-HKRAC along with two other organizations to provide free legal aid to Wang Fuk Court owners in need, demonstrating community service collaboration.
• Hong Kong Government Commerce and Economic Development Bureau's Belt and Road OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Belt and Road Office to explore project cooperation opportunities and promote dispute resolution services for Belt and Road initiatives.
• Hong Kong Department of JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-establishment of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Arbitrators Panel with the Department of Justice, Guangdong Department of Justice, and Macau legal department. AALCO-HKRAC is one of the designated institutions under the GBA Arbitrators Recommendation Procedure (Hong Kong).
• Hong Kong Government Department of JusticecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDepartment of Justice launched the Sports Dispute Resolution Pilot Scheme with AALCO-HKRAC as the designated institution, supported by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
• Hong Kong Government Culture, Sports and Tourism BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBureau provides support for the Sports Dispute Resolution Pilot Scheme administered by AALCO-HKRAC, subsidizing eligible non-commercial sports dispute cases.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA): LCIA is a globally established international arbitration institution headquartered in London. It is a benchmark peer for international commercial arbitration services and competes for cross-border disputes involving common law jurisdictions and major commercial parties.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration: The ICC International Court of Arbitration is a global incumbent offering institutional arbitration and ADR services across all major industries. As a broad incumbent with worldwide recognition, it competes for high-value international commercial disputes that AALCO-HKRAC also targets.

Direct peers

• Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC): SIAC is one of Asia's leading international arbitration institutions offering arbitration, mediation, and expedited procedures for cross-border commercial disputes. As a competing regional hub for international arbitration, SIAC is the closest peer for cross-border Belt and Road and Asia-Africa disputes.
• WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center: WIPO offers arbitration and mediation services specializing in intellectual property and technology disputes, including domain name disputes. As the recognized global leader in domain dispute resolution under UDRP, it is a direct competitor for AALCO-HKRAC's domain arbitration service line.
• Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC): HKIAC is Hong Kong's premier arbitration institution handling international commercial disputes with a similar service portfolio (arbitration, mediation, domain disputes). As the most established peer in the same geographic market, HKIAC represents the primary competitive benchmark for AALCO-HKRAC.
• China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC): CIETAC is China's leading international arbitration institution handling domestic and international commercial disputes. It is a direct peer for any arbitration matters involving Chinese parties, which is central to AALCO-HKRAC's Belt and Road and GBA positioning.
• Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (ADNDRC): ADNDRC is a domain name dispute resolution provider covering multiple Asian ccTLDs including .hk. As a competitor for the domain arbitration service line that AALCO-HKRAC operates under HKIRC appointment, ADNDRC is a direct peer in domain dispute resolution.

Emerging players

• eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre: eBRAM is Hong Kong-based and currently provides the ODR technology infrastructure powering AALCO-HKRAC's platform. It is also a competing ODR provider offering its own virtual dispute resolution services, making it both a technology partner and a potential competitor in the digital ADR space.

Regional players

• Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC): HKMC is a Hong Kong-based mediation service provider offering accredited mediation training and services. It is a regional peer for AALCO-HKRAC's mediation service line within the same geographic market.
• China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Arbitration: CCPIT Mediation Center offers domestic and international commercial mediation services in mainland China. It is a regional peer for cross-border mediation matters involving Chinese parties that AALCO-HKRAC also targets through its GBA and Belt and Road positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aalco-hong-kong-regional-arbitration-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre