1.             An arbitrator shall be and remain at all times wholly independent and impartial.

2.      To accept an appointment, an arbitrator must sign and provide the Centre with a written declaration that the arbitrator knows of no circumstance likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to the arbitrator's independence and impartiality. The arbitrator shall disclose any such circumstance to the parties without delay should it arise before the arbitration is concluded.

3.      Subject to (4) and (5), no party shall engage in any communication about the case with any arbitrator or any candidate for appointment as an arbitrator unless the other party or parties to the case is/are present.

4.      A party or someone on behalf of a party may communicate with a candidate for appointment as a party-appointed arbitrator for the following purposes:

a. to advise the candidate of the general nature of the dispute and the arbitration proceedings; or

b. to discuss the candidate's qualifications, availability, independence from the parties and impartiality in relation to the dispute.