The CAC administers proceedings under rules aligned with the Arbitration Act (Chapter 7:15) and the UNCITRAL Model Law. All rules and fees are published in full and freely available to download.
Zimbabwe adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration in 1996, making it one of the first African jurisdictions to align its arbitration law with the international standard. The Arbitration Act (Chapter 7:15) governs all domestic and international arbitrations seated in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is a contracting state to the New York Convention, ensuring that awards issued in CAC proceedings are enforceable in over 170 jurisdictions worldwide.
Effective 1 January 2025. These rules apply to all arbitrations commenced on or after that date. Where parties have agreed to CAC arbitration without specifying a version, the rules in force at the date of commencement apply.
The CAC Commercial Rules provide the procedural framework for all standard commercial arbitrations administered by the CAC. They are designed for disputes of all sizes, from straightforward bilateral contract claims to complex multi-party, multi-contract matters.
Excerpt — Article 1: Scope of Application: "These Rules apply to arbitrations administered by the Commercial Arbitration Centre of Zimbabwe where the parties have agreed, in writing, to submit their dispute to arbitration under the CAC Rules. These Rules shall be interpreted in accordance with the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration as incorporated into Zimbabwe's Arbitration Act (Chapter 7:15)."
Excerpt — Article 9: Emergency Arbitrator: "A party requiring urgent interim relief prior to the constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal may apply to the CAC for the appointment of an Emergency Arbitrator. The CAC shall appoint an Emergency Arbitrator within 48 hours of receipt of a complete application."
The Expedited Rules provide a streamlined procedure for disputes where the amount in dispute does not exceed USD 50,000, or where the parties agree to use the Expedited procedure regardless of claim value. The Expedited Rules are designed to deliver a final, reasoned award within 60 days of tribunal constitution.
The Mediation Rules govern all mediations administered by the CAC. Mediation under the CAC Rules is a voluntary, without-prejudice, confidential process. The mediator assists the parties to identify their interests, explore options, and reach a settlement — but has no power to impose an outcome.
Where a party requires urgent interim relief — to prevent the dissipation of assets, protect evidence, or restrain a breach — before a full arbitral tribunal can be constituted, the Emergency Arbitrator procedure provides immediate institutional support.
An Emergency Arbitrator will be appointed within 48 hours of receipt of a complete application. The Emergency Arbitrator may grant any interim measure available to a fully constituted tribunal, including injunctions and asset freezing orders. The procedure is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Download Emergency Arbitrator Application Form (PDF) →All fees are denominated in United States Dollars (USD). Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) equivalents are available from the Registrar on request and are updated monthly. Fees are reviewed annually and may be amended by the CAC Board.
| Amount in Dispute | Registration Fee | Administration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to USD 50,000 | USD 300 | 2.5% |
| USD 50,001 – 250,000 | USD 600 | 2.0% |
| USD 250,001 – 500,000 | USD 1,000 | 1.75% |
| USD 500,001 – 1,000,000 | USD 1,500 | 1.5% |
| USD 1,000,001 – 5,000,000 | USD 2,500 | 1.25% |
| Over USD 5,000,000 | USD 4,000 | 1.0% + flat fee |
| Amount in Dispute | Registration Fee | Administration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to USD 10,000 | USD 150 | 3.0% (min USD 300) |
| USD 10,001 – 50,000 | USD 250 | 2.5% |
CAC arbitrator fees are set at an agreed daily or hourly rate between the parties and the tribunal at the preliminary meeting, within the ranges published in Appendix B of the Commercial Rules. The CAC does not apply fees based on the value of the dispute for arbitrator time — cost certainty is provided by agreeing a rate at the outset.
The CAC recommends the following clauses for inclusion in commercial agreements. Parties are free to adapt these clauses subject to the minimum requirements of a valid arbitration agreement under the Arbitration Act (Chapter 7:15).
All CAC panel members are bound by the IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration. Full disclosure declarations are filed with the Registrar's office prior to every appointment. Parties with concerns about a potential conflict of interest should contact the Registrar before proceedings are constituted.
View Full Conflict of Interest Policy (PDF) →