FACULTY OF LAW
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration (NUS)


The increasing use of arbitration and other dispute resolution mechanisms means that more professionals will be called upon to act as arbitrators. Conducting arbitration properly necessarily assumes that the arbitrator understands the law supporting the process, the procedures that should be followed, and the powers that may be exercised. While many lawyers are familiar with court procedures and the judicial process, fewer are familiar with the arbitral process. Non-lawyers have an even greater challenge when hearing disputes where parties are represented by lawyers in the arbitration.

This course is designed for both lawyers and non-lawyers who wish to be involved in the practice of arbitration as arbitrators. Students will be taught the basics of the law of contract, tort and evidence, the law and practice of arbitration, and will receive training in drafting directions, orders and the arbitral award.

On successful completion of the course, candidates will be awarded the Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration. They will then be qualified for direct admission as Fellows of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb). In addition, such candidates will, upon satisfying the age and other requirements and on completing the prescribed Peer Interview, be considered for admission as Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

As this course is conducted by NUS and not SIArb, please visit the NUS website HERE and contact them directly for enquiries.

SIArb's Fellowship Assessment Course (FAC) focuses on teaching candidates the practical aspects of acting as an arbitrator. To benefit from FAC, candidates should already have a sound grasp of the law of arbitration.

A candidate who has successfully completed the FAC may, subject to satisfying other relevant criteria, apply for admission as a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.

The format of each FAC intake varies and may be available in online, hybrid or in-peson formats.

SYNOPSIS OF THE COURSE

This Course consists of 6 modules with a total of 9 lectures, 6 practical workshops and an Award Writing Examination:

  1. Module 1 will cover the basic concepts and principles on the sources of law, the law of contract, the law of tort, and the treatment of evidence. Candidates who have obtained a degree in law from a university or other tertiary institution recognised by the SIArb (or such other legal qualifications as the SIArb may in its absolute discretion accept) are exempted from Module 1. All other candidates are required to attend Module 1 and attend Practical Workshop 1.
  2. Module 2 relates to (i) the acceptance of an arbitral appointment, covering topics such as conducting conflict checks and making disclosures before or when accepting an appointment; (ii) dealing with jurisdictional challenges; and (iii) emergency arbitrations.
  3. Module 3 covers (i) case management in conducting an arbitration; (ii) techniques for controlling time and costs in an arbitration; and (iii) drafting procedural orders.
  4. Module 4 covers (i) dealing with interlocutory applications; (ii) drafting discovery orders; (iii) dealing with costs of interlocutory applications; (iv) dealing with extension of time applications and guerilla tactics; and (v) dealing with preliminary issues.
  5. Module 5 covers the conduct of the evidentiary hearing.
  6. Finally, Module 6 covers the practical aspects of actually writing the Final Award.
  7. In the Practical Workshops, lecturers and tutors will address questions from candidates and show practical examples of an arbitrator’s work product such as procedural orders, Redfern Schedules, discovery orders and interim awards. In Practical Workshop 6, the lecturer of Module 6 will dissect a sample award to see how it should, or should not, be written.
  8. In the Award Writing Examination, candidates will be required to write an enforceable final award.

To complete the FAC successfully, a candidate must:

(a) Achieve 100% attendance at all the Practical Workshops; and

(b) Pass the open-book Award Writing Examination.

Admission to the FAC is open to:

  • Lawyers with at least 10 years involvement in litigation/dispute resolution; or who have been active arbitrators, and can provide documentary evidence of such experience; OR
  • Non-lawyers who have at least 10 years of involvement in dispute resolution or who have been active arbitrators, and who can provide documentary evidence of such experience; OR
  • Those who have successfully completed the International Entry Course conducted by SIArb or such other equivalent course as may be recognised by SIArb.

For more details about past and upcoming FAC intakes, search in our Event Calendar HERE (pls tick "Show Past Events" at bottom of calendar to see past intakes).

 

Updated as at November 2022

SIArb's International Entry Course (IEC) comprises of a taught course and concludes with a written examination at the end.  The format of each IEC intake varies and may be available in online, hybrid or in-peson formats.

Candidates who pass IEC may, subject to satisfying other relevant criteria, qualify for admission as a Member of SIArb.

SYNOPSIS OF THE COURSE

The IEC consists of 4 modules, 2 tutorials and a written assessment. Each module comprises 2 lectures. There will therefore be 8 lectures and 2 tutorials that constitute the IEC, together with the written assessment.

Each module covers a particular segment of arbitration law and practice.

  1. Module 1 gives an overview of arbitration and introduces key concepts, rules and legislation.
  2. Module 2 covers the commencement of arbitration, and issues concerning constitution, jurisdiction and powers of the tribunal.
  3. Module 3 goes into the arbitration procedure, from statements to the evidentiary hearing.
  4. Module 4 discusses the award, its recognition and enforcement, as well as challenges to the same.The tutorials will review, by way of fact scenarios and case studies, what has been taught in the lectures. Tutorial 1 will cover Modules 1 and 2, whilst Tutorial 2 will cover Modules 3 and 4.

The written assessment is an open-book examination that will assess the candidate’s overall understanding of what has been covered in the 4 modules.

For more details about past and upcoming IEC intakes, search in our Event Calendar HERE (pls tick "Show Past Events" at bottom of calendar to see past intakes).

 

Updated as at February 2023

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