Arbitration

45 cases · January 2025 to February 2026

Overview

Arbitration featured in 43 reported decisions between January 2025 and February 2026, with the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) handling 26 case appearances, the High Court (General Division) contributing 25 cases, and the Court of Appeal deciding 19 cases. Setting aside of arbitral awards was the dominant sub-topic with 11 cases, followed by breach of natural justice challenges (4 cases) and enforcement of foreign awards (3 cases). Arbitrability and public policy issues appeared in 2 cases.

Judge Steven Chong was the most active arbitration judge with 11 cases, followed by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (10 cases) and Judge Andre Maniam (7 cases). Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP and WongPartnership LLP each appeared in 10 arbitration cases, while Providence Law Asia LLC appeared in 6 cases. Lawyer Koh Swee Yen appeared in 5 arbitration cases and Thio Shen Yi in 4 cases.

Data coverage: between January 2025 and February 2026

Key Issues & Sub-Topics

Award — Recourse against award — Setting aside 13

Award — Recourse against award — Setting aside — Breach of natural justice 4

Enforcement — Foreign award 3

Arbitrability and public policy 2

Award — Recourse against award — Breach of natural justice 2

Stay of court proceedings — Whether grounds of disputed debt within scope of arbitration agreement 1

Sections 4 and 5 Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1968 1

Recognition and enforcement — Award under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of other States 1

Enforcement — Foreign award — Whether the doctrine of laches is applicable 1

Enforcement — Foreign award — Whether the claims in the arbitration were time barred 1

Enforcement — Foreign award — Whether the defendant had proper notice of the arbitration and was able to present its case 1

Enforcement — Foreign award — Whether enforcement was time barred under s 6(1)(c) of the Limitation Act 1959 (2020 Rev Ed) 1

Award — Recourse against award — Setting aside — Section 24(b) International Arbitration Act 1994 (2020 Rev Ed) 1

Recourse against award — Breach of natural justice 1

Recourse against award — Lack of proper notice — Whether actual or deemed notice of the arbitration was provided 1

+ 42 more sub-topics

Court Distribution

SGHC 28 SGHC(I) 26 SGCA 19 SGHCR 2 SGCA(I) 1

What are the most common arbitration disputes in Singapore courts?

Among 43 arbitration cases between January 2025 and February 2026, setting aside of arbitral awards (11 cases) dominated, followed by breach of natural justice challenges (4 cases), enforcement of foreign awards (3 cases), and arbitrability and public policy disputes (2 cases).

Which courts handle arbitration cases in Singapore?

The Singapore International Commercial Court handled 26 arbitration case appearances between January 2025 and February 2026, followed by the High Court (General Division) with 25 cases and the Court of Appeal with 19 cases across 43 reported decisions.

Which law firms handle arbitration cases in Singapore?

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP and WongPartnership LLP each appeared in 10 arbitration cases between January 2025 and February 2026. Providence Law Asia LLC appeared in 6 cases, while Allen & Gledhill LLP and Drew & Napier LLC each appeared in 4 arbitration cases.