The cyberspace and technology markets operate on efficiency, privacy and expertise.
In resolving disputes, an arbitration agreement is designed to protect these priorities.
Efficiency – time and costs
Arbitration conducted in accordance with SIAC Rules 1 for expedited procedure has to be completed with a final award within 6 months 2 for streamlined proceedings within 3 months 3.
The fees in arbitrations under streamlined procedure are capped at 50% of the maximum limits under the SIAC Schedule of Fees. You can budget and estimate your fees by using the SIAC fee calculator 4.
We have helped our clients settle the dispute quickly through mediation. Mediation can take place after parties have submitted their notice of claim and response to it.
A mediated settlement agreement can be enforced under the Singapore Convention5 in countries like Bahrain, Brazil, Japan and Singapore.
A consent award containing agreed terms can be issued by the tribunal for enforcement in 172 countries under the New York Convention6 including Australia, China, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and USA.
Privacy – confidentiality
All matters relating to the proceedings in the arbitration are confidential.
This includes the existence of the arbitration, the deliberations of the tribunal, the evidence, submissions and all other materials and written communications produced and submitted by the parties in the arbitration, and any decision, ruling, order or award.
Arbitration ensures that your sensitive data and documents do not fall within public records.
Source code and proprietary algorithms; zero-day vulnerabilities and pricing strategies remain protected.
Confidentiality is further protected when any necessary court proceedings are commenced before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC).
Expertise – legal and technical
In a courtroom, only your lawyer has the right of audience and can address the court.
In an arbitration, your in-house technical expert joins your legal team to address the Tribunal on legal-technical issues.
We work closely with in-house experts in submitting concise but precise submissions.
Arbitration – Mediation – SICC Agreement
We have worked on arbitration rules of all major centres including ICC, SIAC, JCAA.
We are familiar with protocols of Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) and Sage Mediation.
If you are looking for a model clause or bespoke provision for arbitration – mediation – Singapore International Commercial Court, email vtan@cnplaw.com.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
This article is provided to you for general information and should not be relied upon as legal advice. The editor and the contributing authors do not guarantee the accuracy of the contents and expressly disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or permitted to be done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents.
Footnotes
1 Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre 2025.
2 from the date of constitution of the Tribunal, unless the Registrar extends the time for making such final award.
3 from the date of constitution of the Tribunal, unless the Registrar extends the time for making such final award.
4 https://siac.org.sg/fee-calculator
5 United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (New York, 2018) (“Singapore Convention”).
6 United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York, 1958) (“New York Convention”).