Chapter V
Working of the Commission

Article 20
Sessions of the Commission

(1) The Commission shall meet for its first session within 60 days after its constitution or such other period as the parties may agree. The dates of that session shall be fixed by the President of the Commission after consultation with its members and the Secretariat, and with the parties as far as possible. If, upon its constitution, the Commission has no President, such dates shall be fixed by the Secretary-General after consultation with the members of the Commission, and with the parties as far as possible.

(2) Subsequent sessions shall be convened by the President within time limits determined by the Commission. The dates of such sessions shall be fixed by the President of the Commission after consultation with its members and the Secretariat, and with the parties as far as possible.

(3) The Secretary-General shall notify the members of the Commission and the parties of the dates and place of the sessions of the Commission in good time.

Article 21
Sittings of the Commission

(1) The President of the Commission shall conduct its hearings and preside at its deliberations.

(2) Except as the parties otherwise agree, the presence of a majority of the members of the Commission shall be required at its sittings.

(3) The President of the Commission shall fix the date and hour of its sittings.

Article 22
Deliberations of the Commission

(1) The deliberations of the Commission shall take place in private and remain secret.

(2) Only members of the Commission shall take part in its deliberations. No other person shall be admitted unless the Commission decides otherwise.

Article 23
Decisions of the Commission

(1) The decisions of the Commission shall be taken by a majority of the votes of all its members. Abstention by any member of the Commission shall count as a negative vote.

(2) Except as otherwise provided by these Rules or decided by the Commission, it may take any decision by correspondence among its members, provided that all of them are consulted. Decisions so taken shall be certified by the President of the Commission.

Article 24
Incapacity of the President

If at any time the President of the Commission should be unable to act, his functions shall be performed by one of the other members of the Commission, acting in the order in which the Secretariat had received the notice of their acceptance of their appointment to the Commission.

Article 25
Representation of the Parties

(1) Each party may be represented or assisted by agents, counsel or advocates whose names and authority shall be notified by that party to the Secretariat, which shall promptly inform the Commission and the other party.

(2) For the purposes of these Rules, the expression "party" includes, where the context so admits, an agent, counsel or advocate authorized to represent that party.

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