THE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

ARTICLES

RECENT EVENTS

BCY V BCZ [2016] SGHC 249 ; Rals International Pte Ltd v Cassa di Risparmio di Parma e Piacenza Spa [2016] 5 SLR 455
By YEO BOON TAT – Partner, Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP and TAN HAI SONG – Associate, MPillay

In this issue, we discuss two decisions, as follows:

–  BCY V BCZ [2016] SGHC 249
– Rals International Pte Ltd v Cassa di Risparmio di Parma e Piacenza Spa [2016] 5 SLR 455

BCY V BCZ [2016] SGHC 249

What law ought to govern an arbitration agreement, particularly where the law of the seat differs from the governing law of the main contract?

In a very well-reasoned decision, the High Court held that there is a presumption that the proper law of an arbitration agreement is the same as that of the main contract, preferring the approach of Moore-Bick LJ in Sulamerica CIA Nacional de Seguros SA and others v Enesa Engenharia SA and others [2012] EWCA Civ 638 (“Sulamerica”) over its previous approach in FirstLink Investments Corp Ltd v GT Payment Ltd and other [2014] SGHCR 12 (“First Link”).

 

Choosing Arbitration: Rational Choice or Template, Compromise, Anecdote and Instinct?
By CAMERON FORD – Corporate Counsel, Rio Tinto

I am sometimes bemused when I read experts’ explanations of the reasons commercial parties choose a particular dispute resolution method.  The reasons are eminently sensible and reflect the various merits and demerits of each method, but they rarely match my experience of the real reasons behind the method in the contract.

The SIAC Rules 2016 – Groundbreaking Innovations and Enhancements
By MICHELLE LEE – Associate, Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow

The sixth and latest edition of the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC Rules 2016“) came into effect on 1 August 2016. It is the product of an extensive public consultation process in multiple forums across Asia, Europe, and North America.1  It takes into account recent developments in the international arbitration space and is aimed at meeting the needs of its users such as businesses, financial institutions and governments.2 

IN HOT SEAT

SIArb’s 35th Anniversary Annual Dinner (27 Oct 2016)

On 27 October 2016, SIArb hosted its 35th anniversary dinner at Aura, Sky Lounge, National Gallery Singapore, within the hallowed halls of the iconic former City Hall building. The clear views of the famous Padang field and the city skyline provided the perfect backdrop for a delightful evening for the celebration of the fellowship and camaraderie of the arbitration community in Singapore.
Read More

 

Fellowship Assessment Course 2016 (14, 21, 22 and 24 October 2016)

The Institute’s annual Fellowship Assessment Course was well attended, attracting over 35 participants this year.

The Institute congratulates those who have passed and look forward to them qualifying as Fellows of the SIArb.
Read More

 

Challenging Perceptions in International Dispute Resolution – The Role of the Singapore International Commercial Court (12 October 2016)

Speakers: Sir Vivian Ramsey, Mr. Mohan Pillay
Chair: Mr. Toh Chen Han

The Institute was honoured to host a seminar presented by Sir Vivian Ramsey and Mr Mohan Pillay who shared valuable insights on the role of the Singapore International Commercial Court (“SICC“) in international dispute resolution.
Read More

 

Recent Trends in the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments (28 September 2016)

Speaker: Prof. Anselmo Reyes SC
Chair: Mr Chan Leng Sun SC

The Institute was pleased to organise a talk by Prof Anselmo Reyes SC on developments in the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in common law and civil law jurisdictions. He also discussed the 2016 Preliminary Draft Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters presently being worked on by a Special Commission of The Hague Conference as well as aspects of the 2005 Hague Choice of Court Convention. Various interesting issues were considered in relation to the 2005 Convention during the talk which gave participants much food for thought.
Read More

upcoming events

Date
Event
11 January 2017
Is the End of the Arbitration World Coming in 2017?
21, 22, 24 April 2017
International Entry Course
25 April 2017
Members’ Nite

View our Past & Upcoming Events HERE

ARTICLES

BCY V BCZ [2016] SGHC 249 ; Rals International Pte Ltd v Cassa di Risparmio di Parma e Piacenza Spa [2016] 5 SLR 455
By YEO BOON TAT – Partner, Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP and TAN HAI SONG – Associate, MPillay

In this issue, we discuss two decisions, as follows:

–  BCY V BCZ [2016] SGHC 249
– Rals International Pte Ltd v Cassa di Risparmio di Parma e Piacenza Spa [2016] 5 SLR 455

BCY V BCZ [2016] SGHC 249

What law ought to govern an arbitration agreement, particularly where the law of the seat differs from the governing law of the main contract?

In a very well-reasoned decision, the High Court held that there is a presumption that the proper law of an arbitration agreement is the same as that of the main contract, preferring the approach of Moore-Bick LJ in Sulamerica CIA Nacional de Seguros SA and others v Enesa Engenharia SA and others [2012] EWCA Civ 638 (“Sulamerica”) over its previous approach in FirstLink Investments Corp Ltd v GT Payment Ltd and other [2014] SGHCR 12 (“First Link”).

 

Choosing Arbitration: Rational Choice or Template, Compromise, Anecdote and Instinct?
By CAMERON FORD – Corporate Counsel, Rio Tinto

I am sometimes bemused when I read experts’ explanations of the reasons commercial parties choose a particular dispute resolution method.  The reasons are eminently sensible and reflect the various merits and demerits of each method, but they rarely match my experience of the real reasons behind the method in the contract.

The SIAC Rules 2016 – Groundbreaking Innovations and Enhancements
By MICHELLE LEE – Associate, Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow

The sixth and latest edition of the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC Rules 2016“) came into effect on 1 August 2016. It is the product of an extensive public consultation process in multiple forums across Asia, Europe, and North America.1  It takes into account recent developments in the international arbitration space and is aimed at meeting the needs of its users such as businesses, financial institutions and governments.2 

IN HOT SEAT

RECENT EVENTS

SIArb’s 35th Anniversary Annual Dinner (27 Oct 2016)

On 27 October 2016, SIArb hosted its 35th anniversary dinner at Aura, Sky Lounge, National Gallery Singapore, within the hallowed halls of the iconic former City Hall building. The clear views of the famous Padang field and the city skyline provided the perfect backdrop for a delightful evening for the celebration of the fellowship and camaraderie of the arbitration community in Singapore.
Read More

 

Fellowship Assessment Course 2016 (14, 21, 22 and 24 October 2016)

The Institute’s annual Fellowship Assessment Course was well attended, attracting over 35 participants this year.

The Institute congratulates those who have passed and look forward to them qualifying as Fellows of the SIArb.
Read More

 

Challenging Perceptions in International Dispute Resolution – The Role of the Singapore International Commercial Court (12 October 2016)

Speakers: Sir Vivian Ramsey, Mr. Mohan Pillay
Chair: Mr. Toh Chen Han

The Institute was honoured to host a seminar presented by Sir Vivian Ramsey and Mr Mohan Pillay who shared valuable insights on the role of the Singapore International Commercial Court (“SICC“) in international dispute resolution.
Read More

 

Recent Trends in the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments (28 September 2016)

Speaker: Prof. Anselmo Reyes SC
Chair: Mr Chan Leng Sun SC

The Institute was pleased to organise a talk by Prof Anselmo Reyes SC on developments in the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in common law and civil law jurisdictions. He also discussed the 2016 Preliminary Draft Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters presently being worked on by a Special Commission of The Hague Conference as well as aspects of the 2005 Hague Choice of Court Convention. Various interesting issues were considered in relation to the 2005 Convention during the talk which gave participants much food for thought.
Read More

upcoming events

Date
Event
11 January 2017
Is the End of the Arbitration World Coming in 2017?
21, 22, 24 April 2017
International Entry Course
25 April 2017
Members’ Nite

View our Past & Upcoming Events HERE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Members

The Institute extends a warm welcome to the following members: 

Associates

Loh Pik San

Neil Woodcock

Thierry Forichon

Dayanandan

Dan Chong

Tai Chin Hoe

Janice Lee

Lorenda Ting Lee

Yeo Jing Kai

Vanessa Chou

Kwek Soo Hwee

Members

Sureshan T. Kulasingam

Vineet Shrivastava

Fang Wei Lim

Simon Stanford

Eng Kwang Goh

Joseph Lopez

Eng Cheong, David Sim

Albert Monichino QC

Tan Weiyi

Deeliprakash Venkatesan

Lim Tong Chuan

Lam Koy Soon

Arthur Yap

Yeo Wee Hian

Teo Kar Hian

Kho Choon Joo

Chung Shuean Seen

Tan Ay Jy

Fellows

Associates

Loh Pik San

Neil Woodcock

Thierry Forichon

Dayanandan

Dan Chong

Tai Chin Hoe

Janice Lee

Lorenda Ting Lee

Yeo Jing Kai

Vanessa Chou

Kwek Soo Hwee

Members

Sureshan T. Kulasingam

Vineet Shrivastava

Fang Wei Lim

Simon Stanford

Eng Kwang Goh

Joseph Lopez

Eng Cheong, David Sim

Albert Monichino QC

Tan Weiyi

Deeliprakash Venkatesan

Lim Tong Chuan

Lam Koy Soon

Arthur Yap

Yeo Wee Hian

Teo Kar Hian

Kho Choon Joo

Chung Shuean Seen

Tan Ay Jy

Fellows

Panel Arbitrators

The Institute congratulates the following on their admission to the panel of arbitrators: 

Primary

Edmund J Kronenburg

 

Secondary

Primary

Edmund J Kronenburg

 

Secondary

Call for Contribution of Articles

The SIArb Newsletter is a publication of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators aimed to be an educational resource for members and associated organisations and institutions of higher learning. Readers of the newsletter are welcome to submit to the Secretariat at secretariat@siarb.org.sg well-researched manuscripts of merit relating to the subject matter of arbitration and dispute resolution. Submissions should be unpublished works between 1,500 to 2,500 words and are subject to the review of the editorial team

Council (2016 -2017)

President
Chan Leng Sun S.C.
Vice President
Dinesh Dhillon
Honorary Secretary
Naresh Mahtani
Honorary Treasurer
Chia Ho Choon
Immediate Past President
Mohan R Pillay
Council Member
Francis Goh Siong Pheck
Steven Lim
Johnny Tan Cheng Hye BBM
Tan Weiyi
Tay Yu-Jin (co-opted wef 8 Sept 2016)
Yang Yung Chong
Yeo Boon Tat

Publications Committee

Chair
Yeo Boon Tat (Editor)
Committee Members
Gan Kam Yuin (Editor)
Govindarajalu Asokan
Kelvin Aw
Chee Fang Theng
Chew Yee Teck, Eric
Earl Dolera
Ignatius Hwang
Lim Meng Juan
Tan Weiyi
Roger Tan
Tham Wei Chern

Disclaimer
The SIArb Newsletter is a quarterly of the publication of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators. Distribution is restricted to members and those organisations and institutions of higher learning associated with the Institute.

The Institute does not hold itself responsible for the views expressed in the Newsletter which must necessarily lie with the contributors.

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