SIAC Rules 2025: new rules, new tools

Posted: 30/05/2025

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre was established in 1991, with the objective of securing Singapore's place as a centre for legal services.

And how the SIAC has grown, to the leading international institution it is today. Over its 34 year history, there has been an average of a new Rules edition every 5 years. The latest, the 7th Edition, came into effect on 1 January 2025.

The SIAC Rules 2025 are a significant upgrade, with time and cost efficiency remaining a focus. Noteworthy is the integration with SIAC Gateway, a digital case management platform for e-filing and payment, secure document storage and real-time case management.

In this overview, we discuss the important new features that will be of note to the commodities and shipping industries.

Streamlined Procedure (Rule 13/Schedule 2)

This provides a faster and cheaper option to resolve disputes below SGD 1 million, which will likely appeal to commodities and shipping players.

Parties could reasonably expect to receive the final award in a matter of six months. Tribunal and SIAC fees are 50 per cent of the limits for normal cases. 

Other key aspects are:

• it could also apply to disputes above SGD 1 million if the parties agree.
• appointment of a sole arbitrator: if the parties cannot agree on a sole arbitrator within three days, one will be appointed by the SIAC President.
• the case is decided on the basis of written submissions and documentary evidence, unless the arbitrator determines otherwise.
• the parties are not permitted to request for production of documents, and no filing of factual or expert witness evidence is allowable. No hearing is conducted, unless the arbitrator determines that a hearing is necessary.
• the arbitrator must render a final award, which will state the reasons upon which it is based in summary form, within three months from the constitution of the tribunal.

The Streamlined Procedure and the pre-existing Expedited Procedure (Rule 13) are meant to be complementary.

Previously to qualify for the Expedited Procedure, the amount in dispute cannot exceed SGD 6 million and must only be used in "cases of exceptional urgency". The new Rules increases the quantum threshold to SGD 10 million and has relaxed the requirement of "exceptional urgency" to apply to cases where "the circumstances…warrant the application of the Expedited Procedure". 

Preliminary Determination (Rule 46)

Parties may apply for a final and binding preliminary determination of any issues that arises for determination in the arbitration where:

• parties agree;
• the applicant is able to demonstrate that the determination of the issue on a preliminary basis is likely to contribute to savings of time and costs and a more efficient and expeditious resolution of the dispute; or
• the circumstances of the case otherwise warrant the determination of the issue on a preliminary basis.

This provides a clear option for parties to isolate preliminary issues to be determined by the tribunal. Very frequently in commodities and shipping cases, the dispute turns on just one or two key issues which can be resolved early without an extensive disclosure exercise or trial even. This increases efficiency and also presents parties with a potential strategic advantage in the proceedings.  

Coordinated Proceedings (Rule 17) 

This is distinct from the consolidation process in the old Rules. 

Under the Coordinated Proceedings rule, each arbitration remains a separate proceeding and the tribunals would continue to issue separate decisions, rulings, orders, and awards in each arbitration. 

Where the same tribunal is constituted in two or more arbitrations, and a common question of law or fact arises out of or in connection with all the arbitrations, a party to the arbitrations may apply to the tribunal for the arbitrations to be coordinated, such that: 

• the arbitrations are conducted concurrently or sequentially;
• the arbitrations are heard together and any procedural aspects are aligned; or
• any of the arbitrations are suspended pending a determination in any of the other arbitrations.

The Coordinated Proceedings rule will be particularly helpful in the commodities context where chain or interconnected sales are common, and in shipping cases as well. 

Identification of Issues for Determination (Rule 34)

This requires the tribunal, in consultation with the parties and at the appropriate stages of the arbitration, to use reasonable efforts to identify the issues to be determined in the arbitration and record them in a procedural order.

The introduction of Rule 34 now places a clear obligation on tribunal to filter out and zoom in on issues early in the proceedings. This ensures that parties focus on key issues early on in the dispute and avoid wasting time and costs dealing with peripheral issues which are immaterial to the disposal of the matter. 

Conclusion 

SIAC handled an impressive 625 new cases in 2024. The cases involved parties from 72 jurisdictions, compared to 66 in 2023, highlighting the continuing trust for SIAC among global businesses. 

The new Rules would no doubt be welcomed, particularly in commodities and shipping arbitrations. The new mechanisms put in place complement and sit aptly in these fast-paced industries, where swift and economical resolution to disputes, more so than ever before, is key.

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