SIArb Annual Lecture 2025
Advancing the Rule of Law in International Arbitration
Date: 22 October 2025
Venue: Maxwell Chambers
Download Event Brochure here: SIArb ANNUAL LECTURE 2025_Final Flyer
This lecture will explore some concepts of the rule of law and, in the specific context of commercial arbitration, whether an “attenuated model of the rule of law” applies. Then there will be an assessment of what features of arbitration members of the arbitration community value most when considering its usefulness as an institution. The lecture also considers how the courts and arbitral institutes like the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre can shore up the legitimacy of commercial arbitration. Together, these institutions may be able to ensure that arbitration coheres better with the rule of law and the interests of parties seeking to arbitrate their disputes.
Distinguished Speaker
Justice Judith Prakash, Supreme Court of Singapore
Judith Prakash retired from the permanent bench of the Supreme Court of Singapore in December 2023 as Justice of the Court of Appeal (the first woman to hold that position). Currently, she holds the position of Senior Judge, Supreme Court of Singapore, and is also an independent arbitrator and mediator. Until 2022, Justice Prakash was the Lead Judge in the Singapore Supreme Court for arbitration matters and sat on many cases involving arbitration issues. Other areas in which she had expertise and experience and included banking, finance, shipping and insurance law. Before appointment to the bench in 1992, she practised commercial law in Singapore.
Chairman
Andrew Pullen, Barrister, Fountain Court Chambers, Singapore
Andrew Pullen specialises in international arbitration, appearing as counsel and sitting as arbitrator. He is an English-qualified barrister, based in Singapore since 2011. Andrew’s experience includes commercial and construction arbitrations determined under a wide variety of governing laws and arbitral rules, in Asia, Europe and the US, across a diverse range of business sectors. Andrew frequently works as co-counsel with lawyers from many jurisdictions. Andrew is ranked in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. He has served on the council of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators since 2017 and is the current Vice-President of the Institute.