Forthatpurpose, anarbitration clause whichformspartofacontract shallbe treated asanagreement independent oftheothertermsofthecontract. Adecision bythearbitral tribunal thatthecontract isnullandvoidshallnotentail ipsojuretheinvalidity ofthearbitration clause. (2) Apleathatthearbitral tribunal doesnothavejurisdiction shallberaised notlaterthanthesubmission ofthestatement ofdefence. Apartyisnot precluded fromraising suchapleabythefactthathehasappointed, or participated intheappointment of,anarbitrator. Apleathatthearbitral tribunal isexceeding thescopeofitsauthority shallberaisedassoonasthe matteralleged tobebeyondthescopeofitsauthority israisedduringthe arbitral proceedings. Thearbitral tribunal may,ineithercase,admitalater pleaifitconsiders thedelayjustified. (3) The arbitral tribunal mayruleon apleareferred toinparagraph (2)ofthis article eitherasapreliminary question orinanawardonthemerits. Ifthe arbitraltribunal rulesasapreliminary question thatithasjurisdiction, any partymayrequest, withinthirtydaysafterhavingreceived noticeofthatruling, thecourtspecified inarticle 6todecidethematter, whichdecision shallbe subject tonoappeal; whilesucharequest ispending, thearbitral tribunal may continue thearbitral proceedings andmake an award. Article 17.Powerofarbitral tribunal toorderinterim measures Unlessotherwise agreed bytheparties, thearbitral tribunal may,attherequest ofaparty,orderanypartytotakesuchinterim measure ofprotection asthe arbitral tribunal ~ayconsider necessary inrespect ofthesubject-matter ofthe dispute. Thearbitral tribunal mayrequire anypartytoprovide appropriate security inconnection withsuchmeasure. CHAPTER V.CONDUCT OFARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS Article 18.Equaltreatment ofparties Theparties shallbetreated withequality andeachpartyshallbegivenafull opportunity ofpresenting hiscase. Article 19.Determination ofrulesofprocedure (1)Subject totheprovisions ofthisLaw,theparties arefreetoagreeonthe procedure tobefollowed bythearbitral tribunal inconducting theproceedings. (2)Failing suchagreement, thearbitral tribunal may,subject totheprovisions ofthisLaw,conduct thearbitration insuchmannerasitconsiders appropriate. Thepowerconferred uponthearbitral tribunal includes thepowertodetermine the admissibility, relevance, materiality andweightofanyevidence. -86-Article 20.Placeofarbitration (1) The parties arefreetoagreeontheplaceofarbitration. Failing such agreement, theplaceofarbitration shallbedetermined bythearbitral tribunal havingregardtothecircumstances ofthecase,including theconvenience ofthe parties. (2)Notwithstanding theprovlslons ofparagraph (1)ofthisarticle, thearbitral tribunal may,unlessotherwise agreed bytheparties, meetatanyplaceit considers appropriate forconsultation amongitsmembers, forhearing witnesses, experts ortheparties, orforinspection ofgoods,otherproperty ordocuments. Article 21.Commencement ofarbitral proceedings Unlessotherwise agreed bytheparties, thearbitral proceedings inrespect ofa partiCUlar dispute commence on thedateonwhicharequest forthatdispute tobe referred toarbitration isreceived bytherespondent. Article 22.Language (1) The parties arefreetoagreeonthelanguage orlanguages tobeusedinthe arbitral proceedings. Failing suchagreement, thearbitral tribunal shall determine thelanguage orlanguages tobeusedintheproceedings. Thisagreement ordetermination, unlessotherwise specified therein, shallapplytoanywritten statement by aparty,anyhearing andanyaward,decision orothercommunication by thearbitral tribunal. (2) The arbitral tribunal mayorderthatanydocumentary evidence shallbe accompanied by atranslation intothelanguage Orlanguages agreed upon by the parties ordetermined bythearbitral tribunal. Article 23.Statements ofclaimanddefence (1)Within theperiodoftimeagreed bytheparties ordetermined bythearbitral tribunal, theclaimant shallstatethefactssupporting hisclaim,thepOintsat issueandtherelieforremedysought, andtherespondent shallstatehisdefence inrespect ofthesepartiCUlars, unlesstheparties haveotherwise agreedastothe
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a set of rules or guidelines for arbitration, which is a process of resolving disputes through a neutral third party. The text covers various aspects of arbitration, such as the treatment of arbitration clauses, jurisdiction, conduct of arbitral proceedings, and language. Given the focus on dispute resolution and legal proceedings, it seems likely that the text is related to a specific field or industry.

**Category**
International trade, Industry