SIAC Arbitration Counsel
New tools for speed and control under the 2025 Rules.
Counsel in SIAC arbitrations and in the recognition and enforcement of SIAC awards under the New York Convention.
- Institution
- Singapore International Arbitration Centre
- Headquarters
- Singapore, Singapore
- Current rules
- SIAC Rules 2025 (7th Edition)
- In force from
- 1 January 2025
SIAC arbitration
for Asia-Pacific disputes.
The Singapore International Arbitration Centre administers arbitrations under the SIAC Rules 2025 (7th Edition), which apply to arbitrations commenced on or after 1 January 2025 unless the parties agree otherwise. Arbitrations seated in Singapore are governed by Singapore’s International Arbitration Act, which gives the UNCITRAL Model Law the force of law, and Singapore is a party to the New York Convention.
ME Law acts for claimants and respondents in SIAC arbitrations — cross-border supply, joint-venture, technology and project disputes involving Asia-Pacific counterparties — and in the enforcement of SIAC awards wherever the assets are, with Singapore counsel wherever an application to the Singapore courts is required.
- SIAC Rules 2025 proceedings
- Emergency arbitrator and preliminary orders
- Streamlined and expedited procedures
- Enforcement of SIAC awards
Asia-Pacific counterparties, assets and supply chains call for a forum both sides will respect. SIAC is often that forum.
The 2025 Rules reward
parties who plan.
SIAC’s 2025 Rules offer new tools for speed and control — streamlined procedures, preliminary determinations, protective orders before notice. They favour the party that has decided, before filing, which of them it needs.
The agreement and the seat
Scope, seat, language and the version of the SIAC Rules that applies — and whether the dispute belongs in the streamlined or expedited procedure.
Before and after filing
Emergency arbitrator relief can be sought even before the notice of arbitration is filed, and protective preliminary orders can be requested without notice to the other side.
Constitution and challenges
Nominations weighed for expertise, availability and independence, and challenges where independence or impartiality is in doubt.
Proportionate and focused
Preliminary determinations, coordinated proceedings and a procedure calibrated to the value and complexity of the dispute.
Recovery across the region
We plan for enforcement under the New York Convention where the debtor’s assets are, and for any challenge at the seat.
SIAC arbitration,
stage by stage.
Each stage of an institutional arbitration has its own rules, deadlines and strategic choices. Select a category to see the typical matters and the related services.
Commencing or Answering a SIAC Case
Notices of arbitration, responses and counterclaims, and the early applications on jurisdiction, joinder and procedure that set the course of the case.
- Notices of arbitration
- Responses and counterclaims
- Jurisdictional objections
- Joinder of parties
Emergency Arbitrator & Protective Orders
Under the 2025 Rules, an emergency arbitrator may be sought before the notice of arbitration is filed, provided the notice follows within seven days, and a party may request a protective preliminary order without notice to the other side.
- Pre-filing emergency applications
- Protective preliminary orders
- Interim measures from the tribunal
- Court relief in aid of arbitration
Streamlined & Expedited Procedures
The streamlined procedure for disputes up to SGD 1 million, with an award within three months of the tribunal’s constitution, and the expedited procedure for disputes up to SGD 10 million, with an award within six months.
- Streamlined procedure
- Expedited procedure
- Documents-only determinations
- Costs proportionality
Preliminary Determination & Coordinated Proceedings
Applications for the preliminary determination of issues — decided within 90 days — and the coordination of related arbitrations before the same tribunal, concurrently or one after another.
- Preliminary determination
- Coordinated proceedings
- Consolidation
- Multi-contract disputes
Third-Party Funding & Costs
The 2025 Rules require funding arrangements to be disclosed and allow the tribunal to take funding into account when apportioning costs; we advise funded parties and those facing a funded opponent.
- Funding disclosure
- Arbitrator conflicts
- Security for costs
- Costs allocation
Enforcing & Challenging SIAC Awards
Enforcing SIAC awards under the New York Convention where the debtor’s assets are, defending them against set-aside at the seat, and resisting enforcement where a recognised ground exists.
- New York Convention enforcement
- Set-aside at the seat
- Freezing relief in aid of enforcement
- Resisting enforcement
SIAC arbitration
under the 2025 Rules.
The SIAC Rules 2025
The 7th Edition of the SIAC Rules took effect on 1 January 2025 and applies to arbitrations commenced on or after that date unless the parties agree otherwise. The main changes:
- Streamlined procedure for disputes up to SGD 1 million, with the award due within three months of the tribunal’s constitution; the expedited procedure now reaches disputes up to SGD 10 million, with an award within six months.
- Emergency relief before filing: an emergency arbitrator can be sought before the notice of arbitration is filed, provided the notice follows within seven days, and a party may ask for a protective preliminary order without notifying the other side.
- Preliminary determination of issues, decided within 90 days of the application.
- Coordinated proceedings between related arbitrations before the same tribunal.
- Third-party funding must be disclosed, and the tribunal may take it into account in apportioning costs.
Singapore as the seat
Singapore’s International Arbitration Act gives the UNCITRAL Model Law the force of law for international arbitrations seated there. The Singapore courts support arbitration — with interim relief, evidence and appointments — and supervise it through set-aside applications, which under the Model Law must generally be brought within three months of receiving the award and only on limited grounds.
Enforcing a SIAC award
Singapore is a party to the New York Convention, so a Singapore-seated SIAC award can be enforced in the Convention’s other Contracting States — see award enforcement. SIAC awards seated elsewhere are enforced according to the law of the seat and the Convention in the same way.
Claimants and respondents
under the same rules.
We act for claimants and respondents, and advise parties deciding whether these rules belong in their contracts.
Companies With Asia-Pacific Counterparties
Supply, distribution and services disputes under SIAC arbitration agreements.
Investors in the Region
Joint-venture, shareholder and investment disputes with Asia-Pacific partners.
Technology & Supply-Chain Companies
Licensing, manufacturing and logistics disputes that call for a neutral forum.
Contractors & Energy Parties
Project and energy disputes across South and Southeast Asia.
General Counsel
Clause drafting, seat selection and lead counsel alongside internal teams.
SIAC’s 2025 Rules offer new tools for speed and control. They reward parties who use them from the first filing.
Facing a SIAC arbitration?
Discuss it in confidence.
Whether you are preparing a notice of arbitration, responding to one, or negotiating a SIAC clause with an Asia-Pacific counterparty, speak with senior counsel before the first deadline.
Consultations are held in person or by video, wherever you are. Describe the matter briefly — no confidential details are needed until a conflict check is complete.