| The Barcelona Consolat de Mar is the Conflict Settlement Centre of the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation. Through the Consolat de Mar, the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation offers business owners and traders the possibility of reaching a resolution for their conflicts or disagreements, within Spain or abroad, without having to resort to legal proceedings. The Consolat de Mar is a secular institution that was formed in the Middle Ages during the reign of Peter III the Ceremonious. Its vocation to represent trading interests led it to effectively defend and govern our merchants’ business activities, helping them overcome the conflicts that are part and parcel of the negotiation process. In short, it contributed to creating a favourable environment for the economic and social progress of Catalonia. Today, returning to its historical roots, the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation has delegated to the Consolat de Mar the functions that correspond to it within the current legal system. THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE CONSOLAT DE MAR The scope of activities of the Consolat de Mar arise from the functions that are attributed by law to the Chambers of Commerce both in Spain as a whole and in Catalonia. In particular, Article 11, paragraph n) of the Catalan Act 14/2002, of 27 June, concerning the Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation and the General Council of Chambers provides that, among others, the Chambers have the following functions:
In addition, the Chamber’s Byelaws specifically include these functions, in addition to recognising the Consolat de Mar advisory capacity through the issuing of opinions and appraisals (Art. 79), as provided in current legislation. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONING With respect to its structure and functioning, its decision-making body is the Council of Twenty. This Council is composed of 20 people, appointed for a 4-year period by the Plenary Session of the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, choosing people of acknowledged repute in industry, commerce and services, with the exception of the President of the Barcelona Cereals Exchange, who is the founder member. The Council of Twenty meets at regular intervals and is chaired by the President of the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation. APPLICABLE LEGISLATION With respect to the conflict resolution systems administered and organised by the Consolat de Mar, a series of general and special provisions must be taken into account. The general provisions include the following: - Basic Act 3/1993, of 22 March, concerning the Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation - Byelaws of the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation The special provisions include: - General Regulations of the Consolat de Mar - Regulations of the Consolat de Mar concerning business arbitration - Regulations concerning the Consensual Conflict Resolution MEMBERS OF THE CONSOLAT DE MAR Chairman, Mr. Miquel Valls Maseda, President of the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation. Council of Twenty Secretary of the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation. |
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Mr. Aureli Casabona i Bel, president de la Llotja de Cereals