Resources

19 June 2020

The Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) is currently holding a public consultation on the possible revision of the current SCMA Rules and invites its members, arbitrators, users and potential users of SCMA Arbitration and other persons and organisations who may be interested in maritime and trade arbitration, under the SCMA Rules, to provide feedback and/or comments on the possible amendments.

The SCMA wishes to emphasise the importance of the consultation and that these possible amendments are intended to enhance the experience of the users of the SCMA Rules; and will not be adopted (or may well be further revised) if the feedback from consultees indicates that the proposals are inappropriate or that further revision should be considered.

The Consultation Period ends on 31st August 2020.

1. Background
   
   The maritime arbitration scene is constantly evolving. In order to remain relevant, it is important to review and update the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) Rules from time to time. Arising from extensive feedback received from both local and international SCMA members, as well as users of the current Rules (as well as its previous editions), the SCMA is considering various amendments and proposals to enhance the SCMA Rules. The SCMA is committed to and strives to meet the needs of its members and users with maritime and trade disputes.
   
   
2. Background Presentation & Webinar recording
   
   SCMA had hosted a webinar – "SCMA Rules Revision – Background to Public Consultation", on Wednesday, 17 June 2020. At the webinar, the background to the proposed revisions to the SCMA Rules and rationale for making these revisions were explained. We believe you will find it quite useful to view it.
   
   A recording of the webinar can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntsb362SdQ0.
   
   A PDF of the presentation that was shown at the webinar can be found at:
   https://scma.org.sg/SiteFolders/scma/Documents/SCMA%20Rules%20Revision%20Webinar%2017%20June%202020.pdf.
   
   
3. How to participate effectively in the Consultation Process?
   
   Moving with times, all responses to the Public Consultation exercise will be only be in Electronic Form.
   
   Three documents that you will need to respond effectively are:
   1. The Public Consultation Document which can be accessed in any one of three ways:
      1. Through the SCMA Website - https://www.scma.org.sg/rules#consul. The participants can respond by email to the Executive Director, Mr. Punit Oza (Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
      2. In a user-friendly and electronic MS Form - https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Qnc4CY_UoU-QjAzAupN1z6-9Y90yPC9MoXB-f84ppUJUOTRNRE4zNTJDOU8wSkw5UTBSMTRJVkJVWC4u. Responses using this form can be submitted easily and electronically.
      3. The same form can also be accessed through scanning this QR Code –
         
         The access to this MS form is available both on your desktop and mobile although we would recommend filling up this form in your desktop as you can easily refer to the other documents needed to complete the form.
         
         
   2. The SCMA Procedure Committee Report which can be found at https://www.scma.org.sg/rules#commitee. This report presents the “draft new rules”, along with detailed commentaries on ALL the possible changes to rules.
      
      
   3. The current SCMA Rules (3rd Ed), which can be found at https://www.scma.org.sg/rules#3rd.