31.1  Panel

(a)  A panel will be established under the project agreement as the initial forum for resolution of disputes ("Panel").

(b)  Within a specified period of receiving notice of a dispute, the Panel must meet and use its reasonable endeavours to resolve the dispute.

(c)  The Panel will consist of one senior government representative and one senior private party representative with sufficient seniority and authority to resolve the dispute, subject to any requirements for formal approvals as discussed in the next paragraph.  It is expected that the representative of the private party will be the CEO or a delegate with authority to bind the private party.  

(d)  A decision of the Panel may only be made by unanimous agreement and is binding on both parties, subject to any formal approval required as part of the parties' governance structures, or by statute.