Arbitration and ADR in Singapore

Businesses today increasingly operate in an international context. When disputes arise, many prefer less adversarial alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes to litigation.

Arbitration and/or Mediation can bring about win-win outcomes that are enforceable in multiple jurisdictions. In Asia especially, with the maturing of markets and the growing sophistication of businesses, awareness and use of ADR has been rapidly rising.

Singapore, with its reputation for impartiality and integrity, world-class ADR institutions and outstanding dispute resolution professionals, is recognized as a preferred venue for ADR in Asia. According to the 2021 Queen Mary University of London and White & Case International Arbitration Survey, Singapore was tied for first place as the top seat of arbitration in the world, and the most preferred seat of arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore is also a signatory to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation. Now known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation, the Convention will facilitate international trade and commerce by rendering mediation an additional dispute resolution option, alongside litigation and arbitration in settling cross-border disputes.

Housing top international ADR institutions under one roof and providing best-of-class hearing facilities and support services, Maxwell Chambers promises a one-stop, full shop experience for all our clients.

Singapore International Connectivity
INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIVITY

Singapore is located at the heart of Asia-Pacific, with excellent connectivity to serve the fast-growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

TRUSTED REFERENCE

Singapore has established itself as one of the leading centres for international arbitration and mediation, with its arbitration and mediation-friendly legal system and modern infrastructure.

Singapore is also ranked as Asia-Pacific’s most preferred arbitration hub and ties for 1st place as the top seat of arbitration in the world (Queen Mary University of London 2021 International Arbitration Survey).

Well-regarded internationally for its impartiality and neutrality, Singapore is ranked the most transparent and least corrupt country, based on the Corruptions Perceptions Index 2020 by Transparency International. The Political & Economic Risk Consultancy has consistently ranked Singapore as the least corrupt country out of the 16 countries surveyed in Asia.

STRONG LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The quality of Singapore’s legal system, based on the British Common Law System, is highly regarded.

Singapore’s legislation on international commercial arbitration is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law. As a party to the 1958 New York Convention, Singapore’s arbitral awards are enforceable in approximately 150 countries. Singapore is also served by a strong base of skilled and experienced practitioners in international arbitration work. Many top international law firms have offices here.

In 2019, Singapore, together with 46 other countries, signed the Singapore Convention on Mediation, reaffirming the close and long-standing legal relations with the other parties. The Convention entered into force on 12 September 2020, and businesses around the world now have greater certainly in resolving cross-border disputes through mediation.

OPEN ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION REGIME

Foreign arbitrators and mediators have complete freedom to practice arbitration or mediation work in Singapore. They also enjoy a concessionary withholding tax rate on gross income.

STABLE CLIMATE & EXTENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

Singapore is one of the most competitive countries in Asia (World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Report 2019; WIPO Global Innovation Index 2022) and has among the lowest crime rates worldwide. (IMD Switzerland, World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020).

01

Best Business Environment in the World

(Economist Intelligence Unit, Country Forecasts Report 2020)

02

2nd Easiest Place in the World to do Business

(World Bank, Doing Business 2020 report)

03

Best Airport in the World

(Skytrax World Airport Awards 2020)

04

3rd on Digital Legal Framework

(World Economic Forum, Global Competiveness Report, Special Edition 2020)

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Maxwell Unplugged: Erika Williams

Episode Overview
Join the conversation as Erika Williams, Independent arbitrator, joined by Monica Chong, a disputes lawyer at Wong Partnership LLP in Singapore, shares her journey of navigating a variety of roles before unexpectedly discovering her passion for arbitration – a reminder that opportunities can arise in the most unexpected places.
 
She shares insights from her experience in arbitration practice, as well as the value of both formal and informal connections while networking, and maybe even shares a few secrets on how to build them!
Listen on Spotify

Cassandra Anthonisz

Deputy Manager of Legal & Business Service

Cassandra Gayle Anthonisz is the Deputy Manager of Legal and Business Services at Maxwell Chambers. Her multifaceted experience spans across legal, business development, and communications sectors, offering a distinctive combination of legal acumen, strategic insight, and cross-sector versatility.

Her professional background encompasses legal affairs, compliance, business development, and legal technology. She has held in-house positions across sectors, where she gained extensive experience navigating complex legal and regulatory environments. Her experience spans the implementation of strategic legal frameworks in sectors such as maritime, commodities, and fintech, with a focus on client-facing legal operations; contractual negotiations; contentious and non-contentious work.

Prior to joining Maxwell Chambers, Cassandra led legal technology start-ups through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. In these capacities, she integrated legal innovation with corporate strategy, while spearheading business development initiatives and cross-border legal solutions.

Cassandra has a passion for advancing access to justice and to promoting forward-thinking and progressive business-aligned legal practices. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom, and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM).

Ban Jiun Ean

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Ban Jiun Ean read law at the National University of Singapore before joining the Ministry of Law. He spent nine years doing legal policy work, with a focus on the development of Singapore’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) industry. 

Jiun Ean spearheaded the development of the world’s first integrated dispute resolution centre, Maxwell Chambers, which brought together arbitral institutions, service providers and legal practitioners under the same roof in a facility equipped with bespoke dispute resolution rooms and state-of-the-art supporting technology. In 2010, he was appointed Chief Executive of Maxwell Chambers, helming the company for five years and establishing it as the foremost dispute resolution centre of its kind in the world. In 2016, he left Maxwell to pursue several other projects, including the development of an arts centre and to write several novels. In 2019, Jiun Ean was appointed as the Executive Director of Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC), working to strengthen the mediation industry in Singapore and globally. 

Jiun Ean returns to Maxwell Chambers as Chief Executive, to augment the team as it continues to build on Maxwell’s position as the premier ADR facility in the world.

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