22When joint arbitration may be conducted

22 When joint arbitration may be conducted

(1) If: (a) the ACCC is arbitrating 2 or more disputes at a particular time; and (b) one or more matters are common to those disputes; the Chairperson of the ACCC may, by notice in writing, decide that the ACCC must conduct a joint arbitration of such of those disputes (the nominated disputes) as are specified in the notice. (2) The Chairperson may decide that the ACCC must conduct a joint arbitration of the nominated disputes only if the Chairperson considers this would be likely to result in the nominated disputes being resolved in a more efficient and timely manner. (3) Before deciding that the ACCC must conduct a joint arbitration of the nominated disputes, the Chairperson must give each party to the arbitration of each nominated dispute a notice in writing: (a) specifying what the Chairperson is proposing to do; and (b) inviting the party to make a written submission on the proposal to the Chairperson within 14 days after the notice is given. (4) The Chairperson must have regard to any submission so made in deciding whether the ACCC must conduct a joint arbitration of the nominated disputes. The Chairperson may have regard to any other matter the Chairperson considers relevant.