International commercial disputes: representation and assistance.

Existing law includes provisions that govern arbitration and conciliation proceedings for international commercial disputes. Existing law authorizes the parties in a conciliation proceeding to appear in person or be represented or assisted by any person of their choice, and provides that a person representing or assisting a party is not required to be a member of the legal profession or licensed to practice law in California. This bill would make these provisions regarding representation and assistance of parties applicable to any arbitration or conciliation proceeding conducted pursuant to the statutory provisions that govern arbitration and conciliation of international commercial disputes The bill would encourage the Judicial Council and the State Bar of California to revise specified rules to conform to these provisions. The bill also would encourage the State Bar to form a California International Commercial Dispute Resolution Council to perform certain promotional and informational functions, and would prohibit the State Bar from using annual membership fees or other state funds for this purpose.