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.