Singapore’s arbitration scene continues to buzz in 2018, staring with the announcement by the ICC Court of its setting up of its case handling office at Maxwell Chambers and the subsequent announcement by SIAC of its unprecedented caseload increase, placing SIAC way ahead of regional institutions and making Singapore the third most preferred seat in the world.

Singapore courts too have an active docket for applications for stay, review of tribunal’s rulings on jurisdiction and the setting aside and enforcement of awards.

The speakers will share their observations and insights on many of the judicial decisions made by the courts in 2018. These will include the courts’ application of Section 10A of International Arbitration Act (“IAA”) and its interplay with Art 16 of UNCITRAL Model Law (as set out in Schedule 1 of the IAA) in the review of tribunal’s jurisdictional decisions (such as Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd v Avant Garde Maritime Services (Private) Limited [2018] SGHC 78 ), and the question as to whether a challenge to the tribunal’s preliminary ruling was not a “one-shot remedy” and would not affect the availability of challenge it under the setting aside or enforcement stage. The Court of Appeal decision in Marty Ltd v Hualon Corp (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd [2018] SGCA 63 as to whether the commencement by a party of court proceedings in another forum would constitute a repudiatory breach disentitling the party from commencing or continuing action will also be considered. The speakers will also share their views and observations on the treatment by the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal ([2018] HKCFA 12) of the Singapore Court of Appeal’s decision in PT First media TBK v Astro Nusantara International BV and others [2013] SGCA 57 and its implications on what and how courts in enforcement jurisdictions should deal with such applications.