(1) Within a period of time to be determined by the arbitral tribunal, the respondent shall communicate its statement of defense in writing (“Statement of Defense”) to PDRCI, to claimant and to each of the arbitrators. The respondent may elect to treat the Response to the Notice of Arbitration as the Statement of Defense, provided that the Response to the Notice of Arbitration also complies with the requirements of paragraph 2 of this Article.
(2) The Statement of Defense shall reply to the particulars required by Article 27(2)(b) to (f). The Statement of Defence shall, as far as possible, be accompanied by all documents and other evidence relied upon by the respondent, or contain references to them.
(3) In the Statement of Defense, or at a later stage upon the discretion of the arbitral tribunal, respondent may make a counterclaim, or rely on any other claim for the purpose of a set-off provided that the arbitral tribunal has jurisdiction over it.
(4) The provisions of Article 27(2) shall apply to a counterclaim and any other claim relied on for the purpose of a set-off.
(5) Upon the filing of the Statement of Defense and the counterclaim, or any other claim, PDRCI shall determine the respondent’s Final Advance and shall require respondent to pay the same, less any amounts paid by way of Provisional Advance, in accordance with the Guidelines on Fees.