Chapter VII: Dispute Resolution
Part C: Resolution of Disputes under auspices of Commission
138. General provisions for arbitration proceedings

1. The commissioner may conduct the arbitration in a manner that the commissioner considers appropriate in order to determine the dispute fairly and quickly, but must deal with the substantial merits of the dispute with the minimum of legal formalities.

2. Subject to the discretion of the commissioner as to the appropriate form of the proceedings, a party to the dispute may give evidence, call witnesses, question the witnesses of any other party, and address concluding arguments to the commissioner.

3. If all the parties consent, the commissioner may suspend the arbitration proceedings and attempt to resolve the dispute through conciliation.

4. In any arbitration proceedings, a party to the dispute may appear in person or be represented only by--

1. a legal practitioner,

2. a director or employee of the party; or

3. any member, office-bearer or official of that party's registered trade union or registered employers' organisation.

5. If a party to the dispute fails to appear in person or to be represented at the arbitration proceedings, and that party-

1. had referred the dispute to the Commission, the commissioner may dismiss the matter; or

2. had not referred the dispute to the Commission, the commissioner may-

1. continue with the arbitration proceedings in the absence of that party; or

2. adjourn the arbitration proceedings to a later date.

6. The commissioner must take into account any code of good practice that has been issued by NEDLAC or guidelines published by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Act that is relevant to a matter being considered in the arbitration proceedings.

7. Within 14 days of the conclusion of the arbitration proceedings:

1. the commissioner must issue an arbitration award with brief reasons, signed by that commissioner;

2. the Commission must serve a copy of that award on each party to the dispute or the person who represented a party in the arbitration proceedings; and

3. the Commission must file the original of that award with the registrar of the Labour Court.

8. On good cause shown, the director may extend the period within which the arbitration award and the reasons are to be served and filed.

9. The commissioner may make any appropriate arbitration award in terms of this Act, including, but not limited to, an award-

1. that gives effect to any collective agreement;

2. that gives effect to the provisions and primary objects of this Act;

3. that includes, or is in the form of, a declaratory order.

10. The commissioner may not include an order for costs in the arbitration award unless a party, or the person who represented that party in the arbitration proceedings, acted in a frivolous or vexatious manner-

1. by proceeding with or defending the dispute in the arbitration proceedings; or

2. in its conduct during the arbitration proceedings.