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ARTICLE · 23 NOVEMBER 2020

A Step In The Right Direction: Recent Amendments To The Singapore International Arbitration Act

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On 5 October 2020, the Singapore parliament passed the International Arbitration (Amendment) Bill (the "Bill"), which was assented to the President on 5 November 2020

SingaporeLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Kelly Tan
Kelly Tan
Alex Ye
Alex Ye
Shaun Leong
Shaun Leong
Sherlin Tung
Sherlin Tung
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Introduction

On 5 October 2020, the Singapore parliament passed the International Arbitration (Amendment) Bill (the “Bill”), which was assented to the President on 5 November 2020, introducing two key amendments to the International Arbitration Act (Cap. 143A) (the “IAA”). The amendments aim to enhance the current framework in Singapore, so as to ensure that Singapore's arbitration regime remains responsive and relevant to evolving needs.

In summary, the two key amendments to the IAA are as follows:

  • to provide for the default procedure for the appointment of arbitrators in multi-party arbitrations; and
  • to recognise that an arbitral tribunal, the High Court, or a Judge has powers to make orders or give directions to any party to an arbitration for enforcing any obligation of confidentiality.

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