Successful dispute resolution depends on many factors, not least of which is a sound set of procedural rules. ICC's longstanding experience in drafting such rules dates from the 1920s when ICC arbitration was first launched. It continues today with the introduction of new rules, such as those on amicable dispute resolution, and the revision of those already in existence.

Rules need to strike a delicate balance.They must provide security and predictability, but not to the point of rigidity. They should leave room for flexibility and individuality without losing their precision.Their purpose is not to anticipate all eventualities, but to lay down the framework in which such eventualities may be handled, creatively yet consistently.

This issue of the ICC International Court of Arbitration Bulletin shows the implementation of the ICC Rules of Arbitration in three different fields. The note on expedited arbitration procedure drafted by Antonias Dimolitsa under the auspices of the ICC Commission on Arbitration describes how the Rules may be implemented to allow fast-track arbitration. Brooks Daly considers the question of correction and interpretation of awards in light of Article 29 of the current version of the Rules. Eduardo Silva-Romero's article on state contract arbitration includes reflections on the use of the Rules in this particular area of ICC arbitration. All three authors speak from practical experience: Antonias Dimolitsa is a former member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration; Brooks Daly and Eduardo Silva-Romero have followed through several hundred arbitration cases in their former capacity as Counsel within the Secretariat of the Court. Eduardo Silva-Romero continues to oversee the administration of ICC's arbitration caseload in his new role as Deputy Secretary General.

This issue also contains the Statistical Report for 2001, which shows how widespread the use of the ICC Rules of Arbitration has become. They are applied in all parts of the world and across a broad spectrum of economic sectors.

The periodical revision of rules is essential to keep them up-to-date and in keeping with contemporary practice. Since their adoption in 1922, the ICC Rules of Arbitration have gone through several amendments leading to the current version which came into force on 1 January 1998. A more recent set of rules-ICC Rules for Documentary Instruments Dispute Resolution Expertise-has this year undergone its first revision and readers will find the revised version of these rules in these pages. A revision of the ICC Rules for Expertise is presently nearing completion and we look forward to publishing the new version in a future issue of the Bulletin.

Anne Marie Whitesell

Secretary General

ICC International Court of Arbitration