Murali Pillai on Singapore International Commercial Court (International Committee) Bill

An International Committee of the Singapore International Commercial Court will be set up in Singapore to hear prescribed appeals of international commercial disputes from prescribed foreign jurisdictions. This was proposed under a Bill moved for second reading in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 12) by Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai. He described it as “a new chapter in facilitating cross-border legal cooperation” which will enhance Singapore’s offerings as a leading international centre for dispute resolution, strengthen opportunities for the development of jurisprudence beyond its shores and boost the local legal sector. The permanent members of the committee will comprise judges of the Supreme Court and international judges in the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), as well as ad hoc members drawn from the court of the foreign jurisdiction that is referring the appeal. Singapore’s Law Minister will be empowered to make regulations on appeals, including prescribing the types of cases, the powers of the committee, appointment of ad hoc members and composition of the committee panel. Details of the regulations will be subject to intergovernmental negotiations. Singapore advocates and solicitors, foreign lawyers and law experts registered to appear before the SICC can appear before the committee. The committee’s judgments will be treated as a judgment of a court of the foreign jurisdiction from which the appeal arose and its decisions are final. The first collaboration under the framework is between Singapore and Bahrain, which will serve as a model for future partnerships.