The sixth edition of the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (the “2016 SIAC Rules”) came into force on 1 August 2016. This article highlights the main amendments and innovations introduced by the 2016 SIAC Rules.
The first part of the article outlines the background and main purpose of the revision. It then addresses the new provisions on joinder, consolidation and multiple contracts and compares them to similar provisions in other sets of institutional rules. It then turns to one of the major innovations of the 2016 Rules, a newly introduced mechanism for the early dismissal of claims and defences, and elaborates the changes made to improve the pre-existing provisions on the expedited and emergency arbitrator procedures. The article also touches upon changes of minor importance which nonetheless improve the overall arbitral process. Finally, it includes a brief introduction to the draft Investment Arbitration Rules, which combine the features of commercial and investment arbitration as well as a reminder of the SIAC-SIMAC Arb-Med-Arb procedure.
With the adoption of the 2016 SIAC Rules, SIAC has brought its Rules in line with the most prominent sets of international arbitration rules and consolidates its position as one of the world's leading international arbitration centre.
ASA Bulletin