Dispute resolution
ICC selected to administer Internet domain disputes for second time
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has reselected ICC to administer disputes related to the registration of new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs), that appear at the end of Internet domain names, such as “.org" or “.net”.
This renewed collaboration reinforces ICC’s longstanding reputation as a leading provider of dispute resolution services in the technology sector and reflects ICANN’s continued reliance on ICC to support the fair, transparent and equitable resolution of domain name disputes.
ICANN is expected to open the application window for gTLD registrations in April 2026, giving third parties the opportunity to file objections against such registrations. ICC will administer the proceedings through which objections will be determined on first instance and on appeal – building on ICC’s experience administering cases arising from gTLD registrations in 2012.
Proceedings will result in a binding expert determination and will be administered by the ICC International Centre for ADR pursuant to its Expert Rules and the ICANN Applicant Guidebook, ICANN Dispute Resolution Procedure and ICANN Objection Appeals Procedure. The Centre is currently updating its Expert Rules with the creation of a dedicated appendix addressing the financial aspects of both first instance and appellate proceedings.
Alya Ladjimi, Counsel of the ICC International Centre for ADR, said:
“We are deeply honoured to have been selected again as ICANN dispute resolution service provider. We will answer the call by contributing our dispute resolution expertise to the administration of expert proceedings arising from applications for new gTLDs, and to support the fair and effective resolution of domain name disputes in today’s fast-evolving digital world.”
The Centre will supervise all stages of the proceedings, including the administrative review of objections, appointment of expert panels, scrutiny of draft expert determinations and the fixing of procedural costs.
Throughout ICC administered proceedings, parties can explore the possibility of settling their disputes through direct negotiations or mediation, benefitting from the Centre’s extensive experience in administering proceedings under the ICC Mediation Rules.
A complete archive of ICC expert determinations issued during the 2012 New gTLD round is available here.
