MANILA, Philippines – The decision of the Arbitral Tribunal on the maritime dispute case between the Philippines and China may come “a lot faster”  because of China’s refusal to participate in the proceedings, the Philippines lead counsel said in an interview with a newspaper in the United States.

“Arbitrations under the Law of the Sea Convention have normally taken between three and five years from beginning to end. However, in all those cases, there were two parties fighting it out,” lawyer Paul Reichler said in an exclusive interview with the Wall Street Journal last October 15.

“The proceedings will go a lot faster in this case if China holds to its current position not to actively participate,” he said.

Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/88579/tribunal-decision-on-ph-case-vs-china-may-be-out-early-next-year-report