It is similarly competent, even if the request is made by only one of the parties, when all attempts to reach an understanding through the diplomatic channel have failed, in the case of:
- 1. A dispute covered by a general treaty of arbitration concluded or renewed after the present convention has come into force, and providing for a compromis in all disputes and not either explicitly or implicitly excluding the settlement of the compromis from the competence of the Court. Recourse cannot, however, be had to the Court if the other party declares that in its opinion the dispute does not belong to the category of disputes which can be submitted to compulsory arbitration, unless the treaty of arbitration confers upon the arbitration tribunal the power of deciding this preliminary question.
- 2. A dispute arising from contract debts claimed from one power by another power as due to its nationals, and for the settlement of which the offer of arbitration has been accepted. This arrangement is not applicable if acceptance is subject to the condition that the compromis should be settled in some other way.
Article 54
In the cases contemplated in the preceding article, the compromis shall be settled by a commission consisting of five members selected in the matter arranged for in article 45, paragraphs 3 to 6.
The fifth member is president of the commission ex officio.
Article 55
The duties of arbitrator may be conferred on one arbitrator alone or on several arbitrators selected by the parties as they please, or chosen by them from the members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration established by the present convention.
Failing the constitution of the tribunal by direct agreement between the parties, the course referred to in article 45, paragraphs 3 to 6, is followed.
Article 56
When a sovereign or the chief of a state is chosen as arbitrator, the arbitration procedure is settled by him.
Article 57
The umpire is president of the tribunal ex officio.
When the tribunal does not include an umpire, it appoints its own president.
