Commercial Practice: Arbitration

N.B. The following statutory provisions (“the Act”) are all from the Arbitration Act 2001
unless otherwise specifically stated.

Take note of for the exams:

Stay of proceedings
Removal of arbitrator
Setting aside award
Appeals
Costs – legal costs, sealed letters

Legislation and hearing

- As stated in the Law Commission’s Final Report on The Review of Arbitration Laws:
- The Arbitration Act 2001 provides for new domestic arbitration laws to be more in
line with the UNCITRAL Model Law, and has adopted many useful features from the
UK Arbitration Act 1996, which was itself enacted to be in line with the UNCITRAL
Model Law.
- Thus need to refer to both of these statutes to understand our Act better.

- With regard to application and appeals to the HC, the relevant provisions are
contained in O 69 ROC
- New order 69 nec in 2002 to make it consistent with provn of new act, some
amendments since made to O69 in 3005 wrt mode of commencement of proceedings
- Most matters regd arbitration to be heard by judge in open court though application
can be made under O69 r3g to hear matters other than in open court as allowed under
s56 arbitration act

Reasons for going to arbitration

- Although may not be cheaper, it is meant to be faster than usual litigation. And is also
less formal. Privacy can be observed and unnecessary publicity can be avoided.
- Arbitrators may also mediate.
- Less formality and more privacy –
- Unlike a court there is no need to rush there at 10 am, and no need to get scolded by
judge. Arbitrator cannot yell or will be seen to be biased.
- Arbitration comes under ADR, and in the last few years arbitrations have been
eclipsed by mediations – and a hybrid has also emerged  Med-Arb.

Definition of “arbitration”

- Arbitration is a process in which two or more persons submit their matters in

difference to one or more impartial persons for a binding decision.
 Existence of a dispute or matters in difference
 A consensual agreement to refer the dispute to a third person and
  A binding decision will be given.

Definition of “domestic arbitration”

- It is no longer defined in the new Act.
- However, S3 AA states that the Act shall apply to any arbitration: where the place of
arbitration is Singapore AND where Part II of the International Arbitration Act does
not apply to that arbitration.
- It would appear that an arbitration which falls outside International arbitration Act
(“IAA”) could be regarded as a domestic arbitration under the new Act. Please see
Section 3 of the Arbitration Act.

Application of this Act

3. This Act shall apply to any arbitration where the place of arbitration is Singapore and
where Part II of the International Arbitration Act (Cap. 143A) does not apply to that
arbitration.

- To determine whether an arbitration falls under the International Arbitration Act, it is

necessary to look at Section 5 of the International Arbitration Act

Application of Part II
5. —(1) This Part and the Model Law shall not apply to an arbitration which is not an
international arbitration unless the parties agree in writing that this Part or the Model Law
shall apply to that arbitration.
(2) Notwithstanding Article 1 (3) of the Model Law, an arbitration is international if —
(a) at least one of the parties to an arbitration agreement, at the time of the conclusion of
the agreement, has its place of business in any State other than Singapore; or
(b) one of the following places is situated outside the State in which the parties have their
places of business:
(i) the place of arbitration if determined in, or pursuant to, the arbitration agreement;
(ii) any place where a substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship is
to be performed or the place with which the subject-matter of the dispute is most closely
connected; or
(c) the parties have expressly agreed that the subject-matter of the arbitration agreement
relates to more than one country.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) —
(a) if a party has more than one place of business, the place of business shall be that
which has the closest relationship to the arbitration agreement;
(b) if a party does not have a place of business, a reference to his place of business shall
be construed as a reference to his habitual residence.
(4) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Arbitration Act (Cap. 10), that
Act shall not apply to any arbitration to which this Part applies.

Juridical Seat
- Juridical Seat = ‘the place of the arbitration’. This concept determines the rules of
procedure applicable to an arbitration, and basically refers to the domicile or juridical
capital of the arbitration.
- It is something like the nationality of the arbitration, and is more relevant for
international arbitrations.
- A domestic arbitration cannot be made subject to a foreign law.
- One of the new concepts expressly enacted into the new Act is the concept of a
‘juridical seat’ as “the place of arbitration” in s 2 AA.
- It fills in a lacuna which existed under the previous Act.
- This concept would determine the rules of procedure applicable to an
arbitration.
- The ‘juridical seat’ is a specific reference to the domicile or juridical
capital of the arbitration – like the nationality of the arbitration, and the
place where the arbitration draws its legal legitimacy.
- It is to be distinguished from the place where the hearing is merely held.
- s 2: “the place of arbitration” means the juridical seat of arbitration designated by:
- The parties to the arbitration agreement
- Any arbitral or other institution or person authorised by the parties for that
purpose, or
- The arbitral tribunal as authorised by the parties, or
- determined in the absence of such designation, having regard to the
arbitration agreement and all the relevant circumstances.

The Arbitration Agreement

- To be able to proceed with arbitration one would require an ‘arbitration agreement’.

In the new Act, the requirements of an arbitration agreement are more extensively
dealt with.

Definition of “agreement”

Arbitration agreement
4. —(1) In this Act, “arbitration agreement” means an agreement by the parties to
submit to arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise between
them whether contractual or not.
(2) An arbitration agreement may be in the form of an arbitration clause in a contract or
in the form of a separate agreement.
(3) An arbitration agreement shall, except as provided for in subsection (4), be in
writing, being contained in —
(a) a document signed by the parties; or
(b) an exchange of letters, telex, telefacsimile or other means of communication which
provide a record of the agreement.
(4) Where in any arbitral or legal proceedings, a party asserts the existence of an
arbitration agreement in a pleading, statement of case or any other document in
circumstances in which the assertion calls for a reply and the assertion is not denied, there
shall be deemed to be an effective arbitration agreement as between the parties to the
proceedings.
(5) A reference in a bill of lading to a charterparty or other document containing an
arbitration clause shall constitute an arbitration agreement if the reference is such as to
make that clause part of the bill of lading.

- Under s 4(1) an arbitration agreement means an agreement by parties to submit to

arbitration
- All or certain disputes
- Which have arisen
- Or which may arise
- Whether contractual or not.

• I.e. there is thus no requirement that disputes be contractual in nature. could be

tortious too?

- Under Section 4(2), an arbitration agreement may be in the form of an arbitration

clause in a contract or in the form of a separate agreement

- An arbitration clause in ordinary terms is usually, and has been held to be, a self
-contained contract collateral to the containing contract. As with any other contract, it
must be construed according to its terms in and with regard to the relevant factual
situation.
o (as per C.A. Ralph Gibson in Harbour Assurance v Kansa Gen Ins)

- An “Arbitration agreement” is to be in writing except where Section 4(4) Arbitration

Act applies.
o As with the previous Act, the agreement must be in writing: s 4(3).
o However, our new Act includes the French and German civil law concepts
as embodied in the A7 of Model Law, and now the agreement need not be
contained in any particular document and can be constituted by an
exchange of letters, telex, telefascimile or other means of communication
which provide a record of the agreement: s 4(3)(b).
o And, unlike the previous Act, an exception to the requirement of a written
agreement is embodied in s 4(4):
o Where in arbitral or legal proceedings, a party assets the existence of an
arbitration agreement in a pleading or other document which calls for a
reply, and the assertion is not denied, there shall be deemed to be an
effective arbitration agreement between the parties.

- S 4(5) also states that a reference in a B/L to a CP or other documents containing an

arbitration clause, shall constitute an arbitration agreement if the reference is such as
to make that clause part of the bill of lading.
- seems to buttress s 4(2).
- Note: our s 4 of the new Act is in pari materia with the Art 7(1) and (2) of
the Model Law.
 Parties must be of one mind: Where in action for price of goods sold, a “bought note”
signed by the defendants contained a provision for arbitration, while in a “sold note”
signed by the Plaintiffs that provision was absent. I
- t was held that there was no written agreement for arbitration because both
parties had not signed the agreement. Carleon Tinplace Co v Hughes
(1891) 60 LJ QB 640

 Sufficient writing if proved that party is contractually bound by the arbitration

agreement incorporated in the document.
- Zambia Steel v Clark & Eaton [1986] 2 LLR 225

 Silence to subsequent imposition of arbitration clause will not amount to an

agreement to arbitrate.
- United Engineers Contractors v L & M Concrete Specialists Pte Ltd
[2000] 2 SLR 196. Oral agreement reached and parties began
performance. Written letter of award sent by Defendant to Plaintiff
requiring signature. Letter made reference to “Standard Conditions of Sub-
contract”. There was no such document but a special contract, which had
an arbitration clause.
- Selvam J held that:“there was no written agreement to arbitrate because,
the terms of the so-called letter of award were not accepted by the
plaintiffs and in any event there were no “standard conditions” which the
plaintiffs could agree to accept”

 Minutes recording agreement to arbitrate, naming and appointing arbitrator held to be

sufficient writing. See Sebor (Serawak) Marketing v SA Shee [2000] 6 MLJ 1
(Kuching HC)

 Some arbitration clauses may be simple, but others, such as in building contracts,
could be quite detailed and complex. Some arbitration clauses may incorporate what
is known as the “Scott v Avery [1856] clause”. It will provide that arbitration is a
condition precedent to the commencement of any action in law, and that the
obligation shall be to pay a sum as may be awarded upon arbitration pursuant to this
clause.
- By virtue of this clause a Court cannot order a stay of proceedings.
- However, the Court (High Court) has power to revoke the authority of
arbitrators who are impartial. In so doing the Court is entitled to order that
the arbitration clause shall cease to have effect with respect to that
particular dispute. Thus, in such a case, the court can order that the Scott v
Avery clause ceases to be effective.

 A further development of the Scott v Avery clause is the Atlantic Shipping clause
[Atlantic Shipping v Dreyfus [1992]].
- This clause limits the time for making the claim and the appointment of
the arbitrator.
 - Beyond such specified period any claim not so made will be deemed to be
waived and absolutely barred. However, under Section 10 of the new
Arbitration Act, the court has the power to extend the time given, even if it
has already expired, if the court is of the opinion that undue hardship
would be caused.

 Section 5 of the new Act lays down the principle that an arbitration agreement is not
to be discharged by the death of a party.

Arbitration agreement not to be discharged by death of party

5. —(1) An arbitration agreement shall not be discharged by the death of any party to
the agreement but shall continue to be enforceable by or against the personal
representative of the deceased party.
(2) The authority of an arbitrator shall not be revoked by the death of any party by
whom he was appointed.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be taken to affect the operation of any written law or
rule of law by virtue of which any right of action is extinguished by the death of a person.

Choice/Appointment of Arbitrators: Arbitral Tribunal

 Depending on the subject matter of the dispute, you may wish to get people skilled
with expertise in the area e.g. a master mariner for maritime arbitrations, an architect
or quantity surveyor for construction disputes. Some lawyers may generally be good
all around and in more formal arbitrations that would involve difficult points of law,
lawyer arbitrators actually may be preferred. Even then the parties may wish a lawyer
and a non-lawyer to be arbitrators.
 Having a single arbitrator is cheaper on the pocket.

 May want to give a choice of a few arbitrators so that the other party can choose
accordingly.

 See Section 12(2) of the new Act.

Number of arbitrators
12. —(1) The parties are free to determine the number of arbitrators.
(2) Failing such determination, there shall be a single arbitrator.
 As under the Schedule 1 of the previous Act, the parties are free to determine the no.
of arbitrators to be appointed: s 12(1) new AA, failing which there shall be a single
arbitrator: s 12(2).
 This however differs from the position under the Model Law, which states:
- “Article 10. Number of arbitrators
- The parties are free to determine the number of arbitrators.
- Failing such determination, the number of arbitrators shall be
three.”

 Special qualifications/disqualifications
 See:
- “commercial men” – Palmco Shipping v Continental Ore Corp, “The
Captain George K” [1970] 2 Llyods Rep 21, retired solicitor practicing as
maritime arbitrator accepted as “commercial man”.
- “shipping man” – Owners of The Myron v Tradax Export SA [1970] 1
QB 527 where a full time maritime arbitrator was held to be a “shipping
man”.

 Appointment by Institutions (e.g.)

- SIAC
- Law Society
- Institute of Architects
- Institute of Arbitrators
- Institute of Professional Engineers
- Other industry bodies

- However, following Art 11 Model Law, s 13(1) states that no person shall be
precluded from being arbitrator by reason of his nationality.
o this is odd in a domestic AA and has been excluded in the Eng AA.
- If the parties cannot agree on the procedure for appointing arbitrator(s) as allowed
under s 13(2), the appointing authority will appoint the arbitrator: s 13(3)(b) and s
13(4).
- The new Act thus differs from the previous act in that an ‘appointing authority’ in the
form of the Chairman of the SIAC, has been introduced: s 13(8).
- The SIAC is actively involved in both domestic and international arbitrations and
looks forward to being a paramount body overseeing arbitration in Singapore
- Through its regular contact with arbitrators and administration of arbitration cases,
the SIAC is well informed about the capabilities of potential appointees to make
appropriate decisions in appointment matters.
- The CJ may also appoint any other person to exercise the powers of the appointing
authority by notification in the Gazette: s 13(9).

Appointment of arbitrators
13. —(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, no person shall be precluded by
reason of his nationality from acting as an arbitrator.
(2) The parties are free to agree on a procedure for appointing the arbitrator or
arbitrators.

(3) Where the parties fail to agree on a procedure for appointing the arbitrator or
arbitrators —
(a) in an arbitration with 3 arbitrators, each party shall appoint one arbitrator,
and the parties shall by agreement appoint the third arbitrator; or
(b) in an arbitration with a sole arbitrator, if the parties are unable to agree on the
arbitrator, the arbitrator shall be appointed, upon the request of a party, by the
appointing authority.
(4) Where subsection (3) (a) applies —
(a) if a party fails to appoint an arbitrator within 30 days of receipt of a first request to
do so from the other party; or
(b) if the 2 parties fail to agree on the appointment of the third arbitrator within 30 days
of the receipt of the first request by either party to do so,
the appointment shall be made, upon the request of a party, by the appointing authority.

(5) If, under an appointment procedure agreed upon by the parties —

(a) a party fails to act as required under such procedure;
(b) the parties are unable to reach an agreement expected of them under such
procedure;
or
(c) a third party, including an arbitral institution, fails to perform any function entrusted
to it under such procedure,
any party may apply to the appointing authority to take the necessary measure unless
the agreement on the appointment procedure provides other means for securing the
appointment.

(6) Where a party makes a request or makes an application to the appointing authority
under subsection (3), (4) or (5), the appointing authority shall, in appointing an
arbitrator, have regard to the following:
(a) the nature of the subject-matter of the arbitration;
(b) the availability of any arbitrator;
(c) the identities of the parties to the arbitration;
(d) any suggestion made by any of the parties regarding the appointment of any
arbitrator;
(e) any qualifications required of the arbitrator by the arbitration agreement; and
(f) such considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and
impartial arbitrator.

(7) No appointment by the appointing authority shall be challenged except in

accordance with this Act.
(8) For the purposes of this Act, the appointing authority shall be the Chairman of
the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.
(9) The Chief Justice may, if he thinks fit, by notification published in the Gazette,
appoint any other person to exercise the powers of the appointing authority under
this section.

 The grounds in challenge and the challenge procedure of arbitrators who are
appointed are laid down Sections 14 & 15 of the new Act.

Grounds for challenge

 14. —(1) Where any person is approached in connection with his possible appointment
as an arbitrator, he shall disclose any circumstance likely to give rise to justifiable
doubts as to his impartiality or independence.1
(2) An arbitrator shall, from the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitration
proceedings, disclose without delay any such circumstance as is referred to in
subsection
(1) to the parties unless they have already been so informed by him.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), an arbitrator may be challenged only if —
(a) circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or
independence; or
(b) he does not possess the qualifications agreed to by the parties.
(4) A party who has appointed or participated in the appointment of any arbitrator may
challenge such arbitrator only if he becomes aware of any of the grounds of
challenge set out in subsection (3) as may be applicable to the arbitrator after the
arbitrator has been appointed.

Challenge procedure
15. —(1) Subject to subsection (3), the parties are free to agree on a procedure for
challenging an arbitrator.
(2) If the parties have not agreed on a procedure for challenge, a party who intends to
challenge an arbitrator shall —
(a) within 15 days after becoming aware of the constitution of the arbitral tribunal; or
(b) after becoming aware of any circumstance referred to in section 14 (3),
send a written statement of the grounds for the challenge to the arbitral tribunal.

(3) The arbitral tribunal shall, unless the challenged arbitrator withdraws from his
office or the other party agrees to the challenge, decide on the challenge.
(4) If a challenge before the arbitral tribunal is unsuccessful, the aggrieved party may,
within 30 days after receiving notice of the decision rejecting the challenge, apply to
the Court to decide on the challenge and the Court may make such order as it thinks
fit.

(5) No appeal shall lie against the decision of the Court under subsection (4).
(6) While an application to the Court under subsection (4) is pending, the arbitral
tribunal, including the challenged arbitrator, may continue the arbitration proceedings
and make an award.

 Rules of nat justice preserved as arbitrator concerned can appear and be heard by
court
- But no appeal fr order of court

1
In AT & T Corp v Saudi Cable Co [2000] 1 LLR 22 – Chairman of tribunal was non-executive director of
Northern Telecoms, a competitor of AT & T in the bid for contract with Saudi Cable. Award was made
against AT & T who then applied to remove him and set aside award on the ground of bias. Application
failed as they was no danger of “unconscious bias”. Court applied “real likelihood (in the sense of real
danger) of bias test.
Decision by panel of arbitrators
19. —(1) In arbitration proceedings with more than one arbitrator, any decision of the
arbitral tribunal shall be made, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, by all or a
majority of all its members.
(2) Any question of procedure may be decided by a presiding arbitrator if so
authorised by the parties or all members of the arbitral tribunal.

 Otherwise all arbitrators will decide

 Note however that the term “presiding arbitrator” is not defined. Eng concept of
umpire not used.

 Under Section 20, it is now clear that the arbitrators now enjoy immunity from their
acts as arbitrator, or in arbitration proceedings or in making an arbitral award. This
makes the law in pari materia with Section 25 of the IAA (the wording of Section 20
Arbitration Act and Section 25 IAA is exactly the same).

Liability of arbitrator
20. An arbitrator shall not be liable for —
(a) negligence in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in the capacity of the
arbitrator; or
(b) any mistake of law, fact or procedure made in the course of arbitration proceedings
or in the making of an arbitral award.

Fees of Arbitrators and costs of arbitration

 Depends on the particular arbitrator and from arbitration to arbitration, arbitrators

may charge about $1000 to $2000 per day of arbitration. There is also the question of
fees for writing the award. It may be substantial ($5000 to $10,000).
 Some may be appted by trade assoc – fees are small or negligible
 Different arbitrators command different fees.
 Usually the “one-off” arbitrations or the ones which are more formal or complicated
that fees can be quite high
° Most professionals (lawyers, engineers, quantity surveyors, architects etc) charge
about $1000 – $2000 per day (5 hours a day). Some senior lawyers charge $3000
a day
- Fees for writing the award can range from $5000 to $10000. Parties to an arbitration
will have to make it clear whether they want a “reasoned award” under s28(6) AA.
When they make this decision, it is also an appropriate time to settle the fees for
writing the award
- Some arbitrators also charge for interlocutory matters, and in such matters, they may
charge ($50 per module of 10 minutes or $300 per hour).

- There has also been a tendency to use arbitration as a means to settlement. Thus, even
after reference to arbitration proceedings and sometimes even on the morning of the
arbitration, the parties may come to a settlement. The arbitrator may have done some
getting up on the pleadings and the bundles of documents would have been
 exchanged at the time. Some arbitrators therefore feel that in such cases preliminary
“getting-up” fees is fair and reasonable.

- Arbitrators can also charge for any work done before the matter actually goes to
arbitration – preliminary “getting up” fees
 K/S Norjarl A/J v Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd (1991)
 The arbitrators asked for a proportion of their fees in advance as security for
loss of remuneration should the dispute be resolved prior to the hearing.
 Hyundai alleged that this amounted to technical misconduct
 Held: (CA) There was no misconduct. The arbitrators were entitled to
reasonable remuneration for work done
 The CA remarked that if however the arbitrators wished to insist on a
commitment fee, the proper time to do so was before the appointment was
accepted

 Sections 39, 40, 41 and 42 governs the costs of the arbitration and arbitrator’s fees.
As in litigation, under Section 39(1), costs can be taxed or agreed. It is apparently
regarded as being against public policy to agree in an arbitration agreement that each
party will only bear their own costs for disputes going to arbitration. It is however
possible to so agree if the dispute had arisen before the Agreement was made.

Costs of arbitration
39. —(1) Any costs directed by an award to be paid shall, unless the award otherwise
directs, be taxed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court within the meaning of the
Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap. 322).
(2) Subject to subsection (3), any provision in an arbitration agreement to the effect
that the parties or any party shall in any event pay their or his own costs of the
reference or award or any part thereof shall be void; and this Act shall, in the case of an
arbitration agreement containing any such provision, have effect as if there were no
such provision.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not apply where a provision in an arbitration agreement to the
effect that the parties or any party shall in any event pay their or his own costs is part of
an agreement to submit to arbitration a dispute which has arisen before the making of
such agreement.
(4) If no provision is made by an award with respect to the costs of the reference, any
party to the reference may, within 14 days of the delivery of the award or such further
time as the arbitral tribunal may allow, apply to the arbitral tribunal for an order
directing by and to whom such costs shall be paid.
(5) The arbitral tribunal shall, after giving the parties a reasonable opportunity to be
heard, amend its award by adding thereto such directions as it thinks fit with respect to
the payment of the costs of the reference.

 Under Section 40, parties are jointly and severally liable to their arbitrators for their
fees. It does not matter who had nominated the arbitrator or appointed the arbitrator.
Such fees can be taxed in the Supreme Court. However, fees may have been fixed by
 agreement or by some institution agreed by the parties (e.g. SIAC). There will be no
taxation in such cases.

Fees of arbitrator
40. —(1) The parties are jointly and severally liable to pay to the arbitrators such
reasonable fees and expenses as are appropriate in the circumstances.
(2) Unless the fees of the arbitral tribunal have been fixed by written agreement or
such agreement has provided for determination of the fees by a person or institution
agreed to by the parties, any party to the arbitration may require that such fees be taxed
by the Registrar of the Supreme Court within the meaning of the Supreme Court of
Judicature Act (Cap. 322).

 Under Section 41, the arbitral tribunal may refuse to deliver an award if the expenses
and fees of arbitrators have not been fully paid. However, their claims may be taxed
by the Court, if an application is made. The Court may order the disputed amount (or
lesser sum) to be paid into Court pending taxation. After taxation, any balance sum
will be paid back to the applicant.

Power to withhold award in case of non-payment

41. —(1) The arbitral tribunal may refuse to deliver an award to the parties if
the parties have not made full payment of the fees and expenses of the arbitrators.
(2) Where subsection (1) applies, a party to the arbitration proceedings may, upon
notice to the other parties and the arbitral tribunal, apply to the Court, which may order
that —
(a) the arbitral tribunal shall deliver the award upon payment into Court by the
applicant of the fees and expenses demanded, or such lesser amount as the Court may
specify;
(b) the amount of the fees and expenses demanded shall be taxed by the Registrar of
the Supreme Court; and
(c) out of the money paid into Court, the arbitral tribunal shall be paid such fees and
expenses as may be found to be properly payable and the balance of such money (if
any) shall be paid out to the applicant.
(3) A taxation of fees under this section shall be reviewed in the same manner as a
taxation of costs.
(4) The arbitrator shall be entitled to appear and be heard on any taxation or review of
taxation under this section.
(5) For the purpose of this section, the amount of fees and expenses properly payable
is the amount the applicant is liable to pay under section 40 or under any agreement
relating to the payment of fees and expenses of the arbitrators.
(6) No application to the Court may be made unless the Court is satisfied that the
applicant has first exhausted any available arbitral process for appeal or review of the
amount of the fees or expenses demanded by the arbitrators.
(7) This section shall apply to any arbitral or other institution or person vested with
powers by the parties in relation to the delivery of the award by the tribunal and any
reference to the fees and expenses of the arbitrators shall be construed as including the
fees and expenses of that institution or person.
(8) The leave of the Court shall be required for any appeal from a decision of the
Court under this section.

 Under Section 42, Section 117 of the Legal Profession Act (allowing charge for
payment of solicitors’ costs) is applicable to arbitration proceedings.

Court may charge property with payment of solicitor’s costs in arbitration

42. Section 117 of the Legal Profession Act (Cap. 161) (which empowers a Court in
which a solicitor has been employed in any proceeding to charge property recovered or
preserved in the proceeding with the payment of his costs) shall apply as if an
arbitration were a proceeding in the Court, and the Court may make declarations and
orders accordingly.

Section 117 Legal Profession Act

Charging orders
117. —(1) Any court in which a solicitor has been employed to prosecute or defend any
suit, matter or proceeding may —
(a) at any time declare the solicitor entitled to a charge on the property recovered or
preserved through his instrumentality for his taxed costs in reference to that suit, matter
or proceeding; and
(b) make such orders for the taxation of the costs and for raising money to pay, or for
paying, the costs out of that property as it thinks fit.
(2) All conveyances and acts done to defeat, or operating to defeat, the charge referred
to in subsection (1) (a) shall, except in the case of a conveyance to a bona fide
purchaser for value without notice, be void as against the solicitor.
(3) No order shall be made under subsection (1) if the right to recover the costs is
barred by the Limitation Act (Cap. 163).

Some Practical Observations on Costs

 It should be known from the outset that costs can be very high and even prohibitive.
This would be true where small sums are involved and lawyers are engaged. The total
costs may exceed the amount in dispute.

 One has to pay two types of costs:

o Costs of the award; and
o Costs of the arbitration

 Costs of the award would include the arbitrator’s fees (may be 2 or more of them),
costs of the hearing room, cost of secretarial services and transcripts, costs for writing
the award, and other expenses. A lump sum is usually negotiated which may be
expensive (e.g. $10,000 for a small award of less than 10 pages).
 Costs of the arbitration would include the usual party & party costs that one has to
pay in litigation. In an arbitration involving more than two weeks, a figure of
$100,000 or more would not be unusual. Such costs are (as in litigation) in the
discretion of the arbitrator.

 There is a tendency to make what is called a “sealed offer”. I.e. a sum is offered in
settlement and made known to the other party but not to the arbitrator. The arbitrator
will be given a sealed envelope at the end of the hearing.

 The effect of a sealed offer is similar to that of depositing money in Court. The party
refusing such an offer would have to bear the costs from the date of such refusal, if
the Arbitrator awards a sum less than contained in the offer.

Tramountana Armadora SA v Atlantic Shipping Co SA [1978] 2 All ER 870

- A 'sealed offer' is the arbitral equivalent of making a payment into Court in settlement
of the litigation or of particular causes of action in that litigation. Neither the fact, nor
the amount, of such a payment into Court can be revealed to the Judge trying the case
until he has given judgment on all matters other than costs. As it is customary for an
award to deal at one and the same time both with the parties' claims and with the
question of costs, the existence of a sealed offer has to be brought to the attention of
the arbitrator before he has reached a decision. However, it should remain sealed at
that stage and it would be wholly improper for the arbitrator to look at it before he has
reached a final decision on the matters in dispute other than as to costs, or to revise
that decision in the light of the terms of the sealed offer when he sees them….
- The offer in the present case was a 'sealed offer' and was, I think, treated as such so
far as the amount is concerned. It was thus intended to be analogous to a payment into
Court.
A payment into Court can only be made in respect of the principal sum claimed and
any contractual claim for interest. ….. But so far as costs are concerned, the order
will take account of whether, ignoring interest, he has recovered more than had been
paid into Court. If he recovers more, he will usually be awarded the whole party and
party costs of his claim. If he recovers the same or less than has been paid into Court,
he will recover his costs up to the date of payment into Court, but will have to pay
any costs which the other party has incurred thereafter……
- The position of a 'sealed offer' in arbitration has to be considered against the
background of the law relating to payments into Court, but it is not necessarily the
same because the Rules of the Supreme Court do not apply to arbitrations. I can see
no reason in principle or practice why a 'sealed offer' should not be expressed to relate
to 1934 Act interest as well as to principal. Indeed, I think it should, because, if it is
accepted, the arbitrator will have no power to make an award of interest by itself. This
stems from the wording of the 1934 Act and its application by analogy to arbitral
awards.
- How should an arbitrator deal with costs where there has been a 'sealed offer'? I think
that he should ask himself the question: 'Has the claimant achieved more by rejecting
the offer and going on with the arbitration than he*398 would have achieved if he had
accepted the offer?'. This is a simple question to answer, whether the offer does or
 does not include interest. The arbitrator knows what the claimant would have received
if he had accepted the offer. He would have received that sum and could not have
asked the arbitrator to award any interest. The arbitrator knows what he has in fact
awarded to the claimant both by way of principal and interest. In order that like
should be compared with like, the interest element must be recalculated as if the
award had been made on the same date as the offer. Alternatively, interest for the
period between offer and award must notionally be added to the amount of the sealed
offer. But, subject to that, the question is easily answered.
- If the claimant in the end has achieved no more than he would have achieved by
accepting the offer, the continuance of the arbitration after that date has been a waste
of time and money. Prima facie, the claimant should recover his costs up to the date
of the offer and should be ordered to pay the respondent's costs after that date. If he
has achieved more by going on, the respondent should pay the costs throughout.
- Let me stress, however, that while this is the general rule, there is an overriding
discretion. If, for example, the way in which the claimant conducted the arbitration in
the period before the sealed offer was made is open to criticism, this may be a ground
for depriving him of all or part of his costs or even, in a very extreme case, of
requiring him to pay all or part of the costs of the respondent. Conversely, if after the
sealed offer has been made and rejected, the conduct of the respondent is open to
criticism, this may be a ground for depriving the respondent of all or part of the costs
incurred by him in this period and might even, in a very extreme case, justify an order
that he pay all or part of the claimant's costs.

Everglade Maritime Inc v Schiffahrtsgesellschaft Detlef von Appen mbH

”The Maria” [1993] 3 All ER 748
- Facts - O claimed for unpaid hire. C made a sealed offer of settlement to include
interest and costs. Arbitrators awarded O a sum slightly, but not minimally, in excess
of the offer made plus interest and reserved costs. After considering costs in the light
of the sealed offer and written submissions, the arbitrators decided, inter alia, that O
should pay C's costs from a date shortly after the date of the sealed offer. They
reasoned that, but for the sealed offer, O's conduct in the arbitration would have
justified an order that each party bear its own costs and accordingly, although O had
achieved a greater amount as to principal and interest than that offered, they had lost a
greater sum by way of costs. O successfully appealed and the judge varied the award
by a direction that each party bear its own costs. C appealed.
- Held, by C.A. (KENNEDY AND EVANS, L.JJ.; Sir THOMAS BINGHAM, M.R.,
dissenting)
- (1) in a commercial arbitration a sealed offer was regarded as similar in its effect
to a payment into Court or to a written offer without prejudice save asto costs
and tt in general costs followed the event. The courts shld take not account of the
incidence of costs in the reference but should only have regard to the claim for
principal and interest.
- (2) the arbitrator must not be influenced by unverified and extraneous facts; the
discretion was absolute and was to be exercised judicially; on the authorities a
commercial arbitrator did not have any wider discretion as regards costs than the
 Judge; and an arbitrator erred in law if he did not exercise the discretion to award
costs otherwise than in accordance with the restraints imposed by law upon a Judge
- (3) payment in was regulated by Rules of the Court which did not apply either to
arbitrators or to sealed offers in particular but the question to be posed was whether
the arbitrator was required by law to make equivalent orders in the case of a sealed
offer to pay a stated amount in respect of the claim; and the arbitrators were right to
ask themselves the question: had the claimant achieved more by rejecting the offer
and going on with the arbitration than he would have achieved if he had accepted the
offer -Tramountana Armadora S.A. v. Atlantic Shipping Co. S.A., [1978] 1 Lloyd's
Rep. 391 applied;
- (4) the answer to that question was clear but it depended on whether costs were taken
into account or not; if costs were taken into account then the excess recovery could
not be disregarded; the offer was exceeded by a non-negligible amount
- (5) the law did not require or permit arbitrators or Judges to have regard to the likely
incidence of post-offer costs whatever might be the position regarding the claimant's
own pre-offer taxed costs; in this case the offer was $15,000 plus costs; the award
was $16,214 without costs and the claimant's pre-offer costs likely to be recovered on
taxation clearly were more than $1215 so that the claimants were worse off for going
on because the additional hire which was awarded to them was less than the costs
which they did not recover but which had been offered to them
- (6) the charterers should not be permitted to say that the offer of $15,000 in respect of
hire should now be treated as if it was an offer of $16,215 or more merely because
their further offer of costs was proved by subsequent events to have been
unnecessary; costs were offered because they were regarded as ancillary to the claim;
in the result the charterers successfully objected to that ancillary order being made
and they could not now say that the offer to pay costs should be treated as if it were a
supplementary offer to pay more than $15,000 in respect of the claim; the appeal
would be dismissed
- Sir Thomas Bingham MR (as he then was) took the view that it must be shown that
the arbitrator’s order was not lawfully made. He felt in that case that the finding of the
arbitrators but for the sealed offer they would have awarded the owners none of the
costs of the reference, provided relevant ground on which they could properly
conclude that the owners fared worse, and not better, in pressing on with their claim.

 Although costs are in the discretion of the arbitrator, many arbitrators hear the parties
on costs after an award is given. Most arbitrators would follow the general rule
(where there are no sealed offers) that costs follow the event.

 There is a tendency to argue that the party in whose favour the award is made should
not get full costs, if he had lost on important issues. Costs may be awarded to the
other party, if it can be shown that these issues should never have been raised, and/or
contributes an abuse of process.

 Where there are counter-claims, costs can be awarded separately for the
counterclaims.
Stay of Legal Proceedings

Requirements

 This is a technicality before arbitration. A stay of proceedings must be filed after

appearance and before taking any steps in the proceedings.

Stay of legal proceedings

6. —(1) Where any party to an arbitration agreement institutes any proceedings in any
court against any other party to the agreement in respect of any matter which is the
subject of the agreement, any party to the agreement may, at any time after appearance
and before delivering any pleading or taking any other step in the proceedings, apply to
that court to stay the proceedings so far as the proceedings relate to that matter.
(2) The court to which an application has been made in accordance with subsection (1)
may, if the court is satisfied that —
(a) there is no sufficient reason why the matter should not be referred in accordance with
the arbitration agreement; and
(b) the applicant was, at the time when the proceedings were commenced, and still
remains, ready and willing to do all things necessary to the proper conduct of the
arbitration,
make an order, upon such terms as the court thinks fit, staying the proceedings so far as
the proceedings relate to that matter.
(3) Where a court makes an order under subsection (2), the court may, for the
purpose of preserving the rights of parties, make such interim or supplementary
orders as the court thinks fit in relation to any property which is or forms part of
the subject of the dispute to which the order under that subsection relates.
(4) Where no party to the proceedings has taken any further step in the proceedings for a
period of not less than 2 years after an order staying the proceedings has been made, the
court may, on its own motion, make an order discontinuing the proceedings without
prejudice to the right of any of the parties to apply for the discontinued proceedings to be
reinstated.
(5) For the purposes of this section, a reference to a party includes a reference to any
person claiming through or under such party.

o S 6 of the new Act is similar to s 7 of the old act permitting an application for stay of
legal proceedings instituted in respect of any matter which is the subject of the
arbitration agreement at any time after appearance, and before delivering pleadings
or taking any other step in the proceedings so far as the proceedings relate to that
matter.
o As with the old s 7(2), the new s 6(2) lays down the requirements before the court
will order a stay”:
o There must be no sufficient reason why the matter should not be referred to
arbitration; AND
o The applicant must be ready and willing to do all things necessary for the proper
conduct of the arbitration
o Tan Hock Leng v Sigma International Ltd (OS 1110/1988 HC)
- Chan Sek Keong J took the view that as the defendant had contested the plaintiff’s
application to re-mend the writ and had mentioned for the plaintiff’s solicitors, it
would amount to taking a step in the proceedings. This barred them from
obtaining a stay.

o The arbitration clauses usually refer to a “dispute” between the parties:

o Haiki Shipping Corporation v Sopet Oils Ltd [1997] 1 WLR 1268
o It was held that the term “dispute” as sused includes any claim which the other party
refused to admit or did not pay, whether or not there was any answer to the claim in
fact or in law. It was also pointed out that under Section 9(4) of the English
Arbitration Act 1996, the Court was bound to stay proceedings in respect of any
dispute within the arbitration agreement.

JDC Corporation & Anor v Lightweight Concrete Pte Ltd (1999)

 Issue: was there a dispute?
 Held: once the disputes have been made out, and they fall within the ambit of the
Arbitration Agreement, there was no sufficient reason for not granting stay of
proceedings

- In Four Pillars Enterprises Co Ltd v Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft [1999] 1 SLR

737, the Court of Appeal refused to stay winding up proceedings brought by the
respondent against the joint venture company. The application for stay was made by
the appellants under Section 7 of the previous Arbitration Act, as they were one of the
parties to the joint venture agreement. It was held that there was sufficient reason for
not granting a stay of the winding up proceedings sought by the respondents, as the
said relief for winding up was not available in arbitration. Only a court could grant
such a relief.

- SA Shee & Co (Pte) Ltd v Kaki Bukit Industrial Park Limited [2000] 2 SLR 12
o In that case, a contractor commenced action claiming payment under 5
architect’s certificates issued pursuant to Building Contract. CA upheld the
decision of the HC that there were triable issues, which fell within clause
37(1) of the SIA conditions and should be referred to arbitration. Hence the
HC had correctly stayed the proceedings under Section 7 of the previous
arbitration act.

- In Chong Long Hak Kee Construction Trading Co v IEC Global Pte Ltd [2003] 4
SLR 499, the question of the exercise of discretion by the court in granting stay was
considered.
o In that case, an application for stay of legal proceedings was filed by the
Defence at the same time with the Defence; but the defendants also stated in
the Defence that it was being filed without prejudice to its right to stay the
proceedings. The court pointed out that since a step in the proceedings had
been taken, it would have no discretion to stay the proceedings. However,
where such steps were made with the express reservation of the rights under
 the arbitration agreement, the defendant’s right to stay the proceedings would
be preserved. Nonetheless, as a Counterclaim had been served together with
the defence, the defendants had shown that it was serious enough to pursue the
same in a court of law and not in arbitration. Hence the stay application was
dismissed.

- Australian timber prodts v koh brothers building and civil engineering contractor
2005 1 SLR 168 – relevant to meaning of ‘step in the proceedings’ under 6.1 of AA
o Belinda Ang J took view tt step means any step which affirms correctness
of proceedings or demonstrates a willingness or intention to defend
substance of claim in court instead of arbitration
o Additionally no such step if specific statement tt applicant intends to seek
stay or expressly reserves his right to do so
o Learned judge noted tt def clearly intended to seek stay
o Also fact tt def had applied ot have default judgement set aside was not
step in proceedings

- Yee Hong v Chan Chye Yee Andrew 2002 4 SLR 398 – impt pt of law raised
regarding juris of court in rlation to stay of proceedings
o Case involved three parties – plaintiff (main contractor), def (architect),
and third aprty (developer)
o No contract between plaintiff and def
o Already suit bet plaintiff and third party to be referred to arbitration
o Hence third party felt tt suit bet plaintiff and def shld be stayed and also
referred to arbitration though no arbitrarion bet them as no conract
between them
o Application was dismissed by assistant registrar and matter appealed
o Justice Lai Siu Chui – took view tt s6.5 of AA empowered court to order
plaintiff to arbitrate its dispute with def though no arbitrarion agreement
bet them – because provn states tt ref to party includes ref to any person
claiming through o runder such a party
 Also pted out tt order to stay proceedings merely meant tt there
was more suitable forum for three parties involved to have all their
disputes relating to one poject determined
o : - decision cld have interesting conseq –may start trend where consultants
eg architects, engineers, or quantity surveyors who may have arbitrarion
clause in their respective service contracts with developer wld be drawn
into tripartite arbitrations with developer and contractor
o may also start trend of tripartite arbitrations involving developer,
contractor and sub contractor

Lian Teck Construction V Woh Hup Pte Ltd 2006 4 Slr 1

- Facts
- The defendants/respondents were the main contractors on a building project (“the
project”). The plaintiff/appellant was appointed as a subcontractor on the project by
the respondents pursuant to a subcontract between the parties (“the subcontract”).
 When the respondents gave notice to the appellant of partial termination of the
subcontract, the appellant took this to be a repudiation of the subcontract and
accepted such repudiation without prejudice to its right to recover damages against
the defendants. Subsequently, the appellant commenced an action against the
respondent for such damages.
- The respondents entered an appearance and applied for the proceedings in the action
to be stayed in favour of arbitration pursuant to s 6 of the Arbitration Act (Cap 10,
2002 Rev Ed) (“the stay application”). In response, the appellant filed a cross-
application for interim payment, pursuant to O 29 r 10 of the Rules of Court
(Cap 322, R 5, 2006 Rev Ed) (“the interim payment application”). A procedural
issue of whether the stay application and the interim payment application ought to
be heard together arose. The assistant registrar ordered, inter alia, that the hearing of
the application for interim payment be adjourned to a date after the final resolution
of the stay application. The appellant appealed against the assistant registrar’s
orders, its contention being that both applications should be heard together.
- Held, dismissing the appeal:
- As regards to the argument that to delay the hearing of the application for interim
payment until after the stay application had been finally disposed of would cause
hardship to the deserving appellant, it should be noted that adjudication under
s 12(1) Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act (Cap 30B, 2006
Rev Ed) provided an alternative means towards mitigating such hardship unless the
contract was entered into on or after 1 April 2005. Moreover, it was open to the
appellant to seek an interim award from the arbitrator if the matter went to
arbitration: at [21].
o 21 I further looked at the matter from the stand point of fairness. (However,
I should reiterate that in the appeal before me, I was not called upon to
consider the merits of either the stay application or that for interim payment.
The appeal concerned only the procedural issue whether the two applications
ought to be heard together.) It was argued that to delay the hearing of an
application for interim payment until after the stay application had been
finally disposed of would cause hardship to a deserving plaintiff. As a partial
answer to that, it should be noted that adjudication under s 12(1) of the
Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act (Cap 30B,
2006 Rev Ed) as an alternative means of obtaining interim payment is
available unless the contract was entered into on or after 1 April 2005.
Besides, although the point was not argued by counsel, I believe it is open to
the claimant to seek an interim award from the arbitrator if the matter went to
arbitration. Therefore the hardship to a claimant may perhaps not be quite as
severe as might be imagined.

Multiplex Construction V Singtel Enterprise 2005 2 Slr 530 – X Look Into Nature
And Siptue To Let Stay

- Facts
o Subsequently, Sintal sued Multiplex for various sums of money and damages
that it claimed were due to it. Multiplex applied to stay the proceedings
 pursuant to an arbitration clause in the sub-contracts. An assistant registrar
granted the stay, save for Sintal’s claim under the interim certificates (“the
claim”). The judge in chambers upheld the assistant registrar’s decision.
o On appeal, Multiplex argued that there were disputes under the claim which
should be stayed in favour of arbitration. First, it was unclear from the Sub-
Contract whether Multiplex’s sole remedy for delay was liquidated damages.
Multiplex argued that although cl 10 of the letter of acceptance stipulated
liquidated damages for late completion, it still had a right to general damages
under Item I in Bill 1 of the GCP and cl 11.4 of the Conditions.
- Held:
o (3) The set-off notices that Multiplex sent Sintal were detailed documents
that were reasonably accurate as they provided sufficient information to
enable Sintal to ascertain the quantum of the set-off, to understand the bases
of Multiplex’s claims against it and how the same were calculated, and to
challenge such claims in any arbitration proceeding. However, in view of the
phraseology of cl 11.4 and the common law position which did not allow the
set-off of prospective debts, the first set-off notice was not reasonably
accurate: at [33] and [34].
o (4) Multiplex was entitled to make a claim for every component of its
monthly costs as long as it could prove that those costs would not have been
incurred but for Sintal’s delay. Disputes as to the ability of Multiplex to
recover any particular item and the extent to which such item was recoverable
were matters to be sorted out by the arbitrator: at [35].
o (5) Multiplex had dropped its claim against LKC for delay. Even if the issue
of concurrent delay remained, it could not be said to be indisputable that the
set-off notices were not reasonably accurate because there was a substantive
dispute on concurrent delay: at [36].
o (6) Apart from the first set-off notice in respect of interim certificate no 27,
the other set-off notices complied with cl 11.5(i). A stay was granted in respect
of the interim certificates save for interim certificate no 27. Multiplex was
awarded two thirds of its costs here and b The legal position
- 4 The issues that arise on this appeal are substantially the same as those
considered below. The main point that has to be determined by this court is
whether there is a dispute between the parties that should be stayed in favour of
arbitration.
- 5 The application made by Multiplex to stay the High Court action was brought
under s 6 of the Arbitration Act (Cap 10, 2002 Rev Ed) (“the Act”). This section
provides that a court may stay proceedings brought contrary to an arbitration
agreement, if the court is satisfied that “there is no sufficient reason why the matter
should not be referred in accordance with the arbitration agreement” (see s 6(2)(a)). It
is well established that if the court finds that there is no dispute between the parties,
then generally there will be no sufficient reason to stay court proceedings as there will
be nothing to refer to arbitration.
- 6 The parties are in substantial agreement on the legal principles that guide the
court when it hears an application under s 6 of the Act. Both parties cited the decision
in Kwan Im Tong Chinese Temple v Fong Choon Hung Construction Pte Ltd [1998] 2
 SLR 137 (“the Kwan Im Tong case”). There, while this court accepted the principle
enunciated in Tradax Internacional SA v Cerrahogullari TAS (The M Eregli) [1981]
2 Lloyd’s Rep 169 that if the claim is indisputable then the court has jurisdiction to
hear the matter instead of referring it to arbitration, it also sanctioned a holistic and
common-sense approach towards determining the existence of a dispute. In so doing,
this court adopted the following observation of G P Selvam JC (as he then was) in
Uni-Navigation Pte Ltd v Wei Loong Shipping Pte Ltd [1993] 1 SLR 876 at 879, [16]
and [17]:
- The common form arbitration agreement provides for disputes to be decided by
arbitrators. In such a case the court should, save in obvious cases, adopt a holistic and
commonsense approach to see if there is a dispute. The justification for this approach
is that it is important to hold a party to his agreement and avoid double and split
hearing of matters. …
- If the defendant, therefore, makes out a prima facie case of disputes the courts should
not embark on an examination of the validity of the dispute as though it were an
application for summary judgment.
- This court in the Kwan Im Tong case (per Karthigesu JA at [10]) also indicated that
while O 14 summary judgment principles aided the court in determining whether a
claim should be immediately allowed in very obvious cases, it was not entirely safe to
apply them in determining whether the parties should be bound by their agreement to
arbitrate. His Honour agreed with the observation of Parker LJ in Home and
Overseas Insurance Co Ltd v Mentor Insurance Co (UK) Ltd [1990] 1 WLR 153 at
158 that, except in a very clear case, in a situation where there was an arbitration
clause, full-scale argument should not be permitted since the parties had agreed on
their chosen tribunal and the defendant would be entitled, prima facie, to have the
dispute decided by that tribunal in the first instance. This court concluded, on the
basis of the authorities it had discussed, that it was the party resisting the stay of
proceedings who had the burden of showing that the other party had no defence to the
claim.

Dalian Hualiang Enterprise Group Co Ltd and Another v Louis Dreyfus Asia Pte
Ltd [2005] 4 SLR 646– shld not go into details and nature od diptue, court shld not
examine validity of dispute as though stay alication was an application for SJ
- Facts
- The first plaintiff (“DHE”) entered into a contract with the defendant (“LD”) (“the
Armonikos contract”). DHE then assigned the Armonikos contract to the second
plaintiff (“DJOM”). Subsequently, DJOM made two claims under the Armonikos
contract. Sally Yang (“SY”) of LD’s offices in China confirmed certain sums to be
payable on these claims and the plaintiffs filed an action against LD for these sums.
LD applied for a stay of the action pursuant to an arbitration agreement in the
Armonikos contract.
- The issues before the assistant registrar (“AR”) who heard the stay application were,
inter alia: (a) whether there was a dispute between the parties capable of arbitration
under s 6(1) of the International Arbitration Act (Cap 143A, 2002 Rev Ed) (“IAA”);
(b) whether there was an admission by LD of the debt; and (c) whether LD could
claim a set-off from a running account, assuming there was such an admission (“the
 set-off issue”). LD raised the set-off issue as it had a claim against another company
(“Fuhong”) under a different contract (“the Hanjin Tacoma contract”). LD alleged
that Fuhong was treated as part of the group of companies that included DHE and
DJOM insofar as the running account was concerned.
- The AR ordered a stay of the action. He held that there was a dispute regarding SY’s
authority to bind LD as she was not an employee of LD itself. As such, the dispute
was not capable of resolution by the court. The plaintiffs appealed against his
decision. The parties presented further arguments on s 6(2) IAA as to whether the
court had jurisdiction to consider if there was in fact a dispute between the parties or
whether the court was obliged to refer any dispute to arbitration so long as there was a
dispute.
- Held, allowing the appeal:
- Section 6(1) IAA applied where the proceedings in court were “in respect of any
matter which [was] the subject of the [arbitration] agreement”. This meant that the
court had no jurisdiction under s 6(2) IAA to order a stay if the court proceedings
were not in respect of a matter which was the subject of the arbitration agreement. It
should be for the court to determine if the matter before the court was the subject of
the arbitration agreement. However, if that issue was arguable in that the outcome
was not clear, then the court should stay the proceedings: at [20] and [25].
- On the facts, SY was not the only one who had admitted the claims under the
Armonikos contract. The sums payable on the claims were disclosed in a statement of
account issued by LD, which demonstrated LD’s acceptance that the sums claimed
under the Armonikos contract would be due and payable but for its claim under the
Hanjin Tacoma contract: at [14].
- The disputes under the Hanjin Tacoma contract were separate and distinct from those
under the Armonikos contract. Neither of the plaintiffs was a party to the Hanjin
Tacoma contract and the allegation about the running account arose only because of
LD’s claim under that contract. The issue as to whether there was a running account
was unrelated to the transaction under the Armonikos contract and it was clear that
the set-off issue was not the subject of the arbitration agreement: at [30].
- Under s 6(2) of the Arbitration Act (Cap 10, 2002 Rev Ed), the court might determine
if there was in fact a dispute before deciding to order a stay, although the court should
not examine the validity of the dispute as though the stay application was an
application for summary judgment. As regards s 6(2) IAA, once there was a dispute, a
stay had to be ordered unless the arbitration agreement was null and void, inoperative
or incapable of being performed. The court was not to consider if there was in fact a
dispute or whether there was a genuine dispute. The more difficult question was when
it could be said that a dispute existed. A mere refusal to pay or silence was not a
dispute. An admission by a defendant would, generally speaking, be contrary to a
dispute but not every admission would necessarily avoid a stay order: at [74] and
[75].

SIR newsletter dec 2005/jan 2006 pg 9 -

Commencement of arbitration proceedings

 Section 9 of the Act
Commencement of arbitration proceedings
9. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitration proceedings in respect of a
particular dispute shall commence on the date on which a request for that dispute to
be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent.

 Thus, the sending of the request is not enough. It has to be received by the respondent.
 S 9 of new Act states that, unless otherwise agreed, arbitration commences when the
request is received by the Respondent.
- Cos there are cases where request may not be received.
- And then turns on the meaning of ‘received’  sometimes fella in Cayman Islands
and other places where difficult to serve stuff on person.
- This imposes on the party commencing proceedings the added duty to show that the
respondent has received the request.
- Provision is non-mandatory: parties may agree otherwise.
- Adopts Art 21 Model Law

 Section 10 of the Act

Powers of Court to extend time for beginning of arbitration proceedings
10. —(1) Where the terms of an arbitration agreement to refer future disputes to
arbitration provide that a claim to which the arbitration agreement applies shall be barred
unless —
(a) some step has been taken to begin other dispute resolution procedures which must be
exhausted before arbitration proceedings can be begun;
(b) notice to appoint an arbitrator is given;
(c) an arbitrator is appointed; or
(d) some other step is taken to commence arbitration proceedings,
within a time fixed by the agreement and a dispute to which the agreement applies has
arisen, the Court may, if it is of the opinion that in the circumstances of the case undue
hardship would otherwise be caused, extend the time for such period and on such terms
as the Court thinks fit.
(2) An order of extension of time made by the Court under subsection (1) —
(a) may be made only after any available arbitral process for obtaining an extension of
time has been exhausted;
(b) may be made notwithstanding that the time so fixed has expired; and
(c) shall not affect the operation of section 9 or 11 or any other written law relating to the
limitation of actions.

- ‘Court’ in the Arbitration Act refers to the High Court of Singapore.

- Under s 10, the HC has the discretion to extend time for the beginning of arbitration
proceedings if:
- The court is satisfied that ‘undue hardship’ would be caused without an EOT s 10,
and
- The applicant has exhausted any available arbitral process for obtaining an EOT: s
10(2)(a).
- Then the court is entitled to fix new period for arbitration as deems fit: s 10
- Four pre-arbitration dispute resolution procedures are specifically mentioned as the
events for which EOT may be granted so that the disputes would not be barred for
failure to take the steps within a time fixed by the agreement: see s 10(1)(a)-(d).
- And the order of EOT may be made notwithstanding that the time so fixed for
commencing such procedures under the agreement has expired: s 10(2)(b).

 Under Section 11 of the new Arbitration Act, the Limitation Act shall apply to
arbitration proceedings as it applies to proceedings before any court.
Application of Limitation Act
11. —(1) The Limitation Act (Cap. 163) shall apply to arbitration proceedings as it
applies to proceedings before any court and a reference in that Act to the commencement
of any action shall be construed as a reference to the commencement of arbitration
proceedings.
(2) The Court may order that in computing the time prescribed by the Limitation Act for
the commencement of proceedings (including arbitration proceedings) in respect of a
dispute which was the subject-matter of —
(a) an award which the Court orders to be set aside or declares to be of no effect; or
(b) the affected part of an award which the Court orders to be set aside in part or declares
to be in part of no effect,
the period between the commencement of the arbitration and the date of the order
referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) shall be excluded.
(3) Notwithstanding any term in an arbitration agreement to the effect that no cause of
action shall accrue in respect of any matter required by the agreement to be referred until
an award is made under the agreement, the cause of action shall, for the purpose of the
Limitation Act, be deemed to have accrued in respect of any such matter at the time when
it would have accrued but for that term in the agreement.

Jurisdiction of Arbitral Tribunal

 Based on Article 16 of the Model Law, the doctrine of competence now applies to
arbitral tribunals. Under Section 21, they may rule on their own jurisdiction and also
on the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement. Note that an “arbitration
clause” in an Agreement may be regarded as an independent agreement by virtue of
Section 4(2) Arbitration Act.

Separability of arbitration clause and competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on

its own jurisdiction
21. —(1) The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction, including any
objections to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), an arbitration clause which forms part of a
contract shall be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract.
(3) A decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not entail
ipso jure (as a matter of law) the invalidity of the arbitration clause.
(4) A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall be raised not later
than the submission of the statement of defence.
(5) A party shall not be precluded from raising the plea that the arbitral tribunal does
not have jurisdiction by the fact that he has appointed, or participated in the
appointment of, an arbitrator.
(6) A plea that the arbitral tribunal is exceeding the scope of its authority shall be
raised as soon as the matter alleged to be beyond the scope of its authority is raised
during the arbitration proceedings.
(7) Notwithstanding any delay in raising a plea referred to in subsection (4) or (6), the
arbitral tribunal may admit such plea if it considers the delay to be justified in the
circumstances.
(8) The arbitral tribunal may rule on a plea referred to in this section either as a
preliminary question or in an award on the merits.
(9) If the arbitral tribunal rules on a plea as a preliminary question that it has
jurisdiction, any party may, within 30 days after having received notice of that ruling,
apply to the Court to decide the matter.
(10) The leave of the Court is required for any appeal from a decision of the Court
under this section.
(11) While an application under subsection (9) is pending, the arbitral tribunal may
continue the arbitration proceedings and make an award.

 The concept of separability is now embodied in Section 21(3) of the new Act. Thus, a
decision by the tribunal that the contract is null and void does not entail ipso jure (as a
matter of law) the invalidity of the arbitration clause.

 The plea of lack of jurisdiction is to be raised not later than the submission of the
statement of defence.

 Where there is a plea that the arbitral tribunal has exceeded its authority, it must be
raised when the matter concerned is raised during the arbitration proceedings.

 Where the tribunal holds that it has jurisdiction, one can apply to the High Court to
decide the matter. For any further appeal, the leave of the High Court would be
required. It would, however, appear that where the tribunal holds that it has no
jurisdiction, there is no appeal to the Court.

Prehearing dealings with arbitrators

 After the appointment of the arbitrator (and his acceptance), he would normally ask
the parties to appear before him. The Arbitrator will then give directions as to the
filing of pleadings, the Statement of Claim and the Statement of Defence, and the
dates they are to be filed. Section 24 of the new Act no longer refers to a “Reply”,
though this would be necessary where there is a counter claim. Nevertheless lawyers
do usually file a reply in such an instance where it is necessary.

Statements of claim and defence

24. —(1) Within the period of time agreed by the parties or, failing such agreement, as
determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state —
(a) the facts supporting his claim;
(b) the points at issue; and
(c) the relief or remedy sought,
and the respondent shall state his defence in respect of the particulars set out in this
subsection, unless the parties have otherwise agreed to the required elements of such
statements.
(2) The parties may submit to the arbitral tribunal with their statements, all documents
they consider to be relevant or other documents which refer to such documents, or
other evidence.
(3) Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, either party may amend or supplement
his claim or defence during the course of the arbitration proceedings, unless the arbitral
tribunal considers it inappropriate to allow such amendment, having regard to the delay
in making the amendment.

 After the close of proceedings, the Claimant and the Respondent would then have to
deliver a list of documents. Thereafter the Claimant’s Solicitor would prepare an
(“Agreed Bundle”). As for documents not agreed, the parties can prepare their own
bundles.

 The Arbitrator would also like to be told whether there would be expert witnesses and
if so, their reports should be exchanged. Sometimes, the Arbitrator may want to limit
the number of expert witnesses to be called by each side.

 Section 27 of the new Arbitration Act gives the power to the arbitral tribunal to
appoint experts. If the tribunal would like to do so it would have to search an appoint
such an expert and give him/her time to make his/her assessment and to formulate a
written or oral report prior to the hearing.

Power to appoint experts

27. —(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may —
(a) appoint one or more experts to report to it on specific issues to be determined by the
tribunal; and
(b) require a party to give the expert any relevant information or to produce, or to
provide access to, any relevant documents, goods or other property for his inspection.
(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party so requests or if the arbitral
tribunal considers it necessary, the expert shall, after delivery of his written or oral
report, participate in a hearing where the parties have the opportunity to put questions
to him and to present other expert witnesses in order to testify on the points at issue.

 The “venue” or the premises where the arbitration would be held would be discussed
(usually a conference room, sometimes in some posh town club). The use of
shorthand notes or other means of recording/ transcribing will then be determined.

 Similar to the procedure now adopted in the Courts, some arbitrators may direct that
the affidavits be filed by the parties within a specified time, and thus reduce the time
spent in examination in chief.
 If you’re an arbitrator, when dealing with lawyers, always appear to be fair and
impartial. Don’t interfere too much or it could be grounds for improper conduct.
Don’t talk too much in front of the parties or their lawyers.

 Arbitrators must be careful in dealing with requests or communications made by

lawyers for the parties to the arbitration. While some of them may be innocuous (e.g.
extension of time for filing pleadings) and may be decided by the arbitrator in his
discretion, it would always be wise to obtain the views of the other party before
making a decision. It must be noted that the provisions of the Evidence Act do not
apply to arbitrations under Section 2(1) of the Evidence Act.

Section 2(1) Evidence Act

2. —(1) Parts I, II and III shall apply to all judicial proceedings in or before any court,
but not to affidavits presented to any court or officer nor to proceedings before an
arbitrator.

Arbitral Proceedings

 Based on Article 18 of the Model Law, Section 22 of the new Arbitration Act makes it
a mandatory duty for the arbitral tribunal to act fairly and impartially.

General duties of arbitral tribunal

22. The arbitral tribunal shall act fairly and impartially and shall give each party a
reasonable opportunity of presenting his case.

 Based on Article 19 of the Model Law, Section 23 of the new Act gives the parties
freedom to agree on the procedure to be followed by the arbitral agreement.
o Following art 19 Model Law, the new s 23(1) gives the parties the
freedom to agree on the procedure to be followed, failing which the
tribunal will conduct the proceedings as its sees appropriate: s 23(2).

Determination of rules of procedure

23. —(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the parties are free to agree on the
procedure to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in conducting the proceedings.
(2) Failing such agreement, the arbitral tribunal may, subject to the provisions of
this Act, conduct the arbitration in such manner as it considers appropriate.
(3) The power conferred on the arbitral tribunal under subsection (2) includes the
power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality and weight of any
evidence.

 The language used inay

 Section 23 does not imply any need for any adherence to the rules laid down in the
Evidence Act.
 The duties of the Tribunal are not delegable. In Neale v Richardson [1938] 1 AER
753, Arbitrator named nominated person to hear evidence and act as the arbitrator. It
was held to be improper. Cannot consult anyone to decide the dispute.

 Certain functions are delegable.

- Analysing samples.
- Stock taking/inventory.
- Measuring of land/valuation.
- Taking accounts. (NOTE however where an arbitrator gave claims on
accounts to a firm of accountants who gave report. Award made adopting
report of the accountants. It was held to be excessive delegation. See The
Eastern Counties Railway Co v Eastern Union Railway Co (1863) 3 De
GJ & S 610

 Section 24 of the new Act now refers to “Statement of Claim and Defence”, No
“Reply” is referred to, but obviously the tribunal can allow filing of other documents.

Statements of claim and defence

24. —(1) Within the period of time agreed by the parties or, failing such agreement,
as determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state —
(a) the facts supporting his claim;
(b) the points at issue; and
(c) the relief or remedy sought,
and the respondent shall state his defence in respect of the particulars set out in this
subsection, unless the parties have otherwise agreed to the required elements of such
statements.
(2) The parties may submit to the arbitral tribunal with their statements, all documents
they consider to be relevant or other documents, which refer to such documents, or
other evidence.
(3) Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, either party may amend or supplement
his claim or defence during the course of the arbitration proceedings, unless the arbitral
tribunal considers it inappropriate to allow such amendment, having regard to the delay
in making the amendment.

 Under Section 25 of the new Act, the arbitral tribunal can decide how proceedings are
to be conducted. Thus, an arbitration may proceed with or without oral hearing or oral
arguments. It can proceed on the basis of documents (e.g. written affidavits) and
materials. This is subject to any contrary agreement.
 Therefore if parties request for oral hearing, arbitral tribunal must allow an oral
hearing
- Myint Soe: Being a lawyer, the arbitrator would usually follow court
procedure
- Start with oaths/affirmation
- Then, written submissions,
- EIC, XXN, Re-Exam
- And then an award in lieu of a judgement – which of course is liable to appeal [see
below].

Hearings and written proceedings

25. —(1) Subject to any contrary agreement by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall
determine if proceedings are to be conducted by oral hearing for the presentation of
evidence or oral argument or on the basis of documents and other materials.
(2) Unless the parties have agreed that no hearings shall be held, the arbitral
tribunal shall, upon the request of a party, hold such hearings at an appropriate
stage of the proceedings.
(3) The parties shall be given sufficient notice in advance of any hearing and of any
meeting of the arbitral tribunal for the purposes of inspection of goods, other property
or documents.
(4) All statements, documents or other information supplied to the arbitral tribunal by
one party shall be communicated to the other party.
(5) Any expert report or evidentiary document on which the arbitral tribunal may rely
in making its decision shall be communicated to the parties.

 But even where affidavits have been filed, the arbitrators would usually allow
more evidence to be entered orally – to ensure that justice is done, since the lawyer
may not have known certain facts when the affidavit was first prepared. The lawyer
must apply for the oral evidence to be admitted.

 It is implied from the words “shall be communicated” in Section 25(5) that the
parties should file the expert reports and evidentiary documents ahead. Hence the
present practice of giving “directions” would normally include the time for filing of
expert reports, and of discovery and inspection of documents.

 Under Section 26 of the new Act, the parties are free to agree on the agree on the
consolidation of arbitration proceedings or for concurrent hearings where there is
more than one arbitration proceedings. The tribunal would have such power if the
parties agree to confer such power. No provisions are made for the Court to exercise
such power.

Consolidation of proceedings and concurrent hearings

26. —(1) The parties may agree —
(a) that the arbitration proceedings shall be consolidated with other arbitration
proceedings; or
(b) that concurrent hearings shall be held,
on such terms as may be agreed.
(2) Unless the parties agree to confer such power on the arbitral tribunal, the tribunal
has no power to order consolidation of arbitration proceedings or concurrent hearings.

Power to appoint experts

27. —(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may —
 (a) appoint one or more experts to report to it on specific issues to be determined by the
tribunal; and
(b) require a party to give the expert any relevant information or to produce, or to
provide access to, any relevant documents, goods or other property for his
inspection.
(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party so requests or if the arbitral
tribunal considers it necessary, the expert shall, after delivery of his written or oral
report, participate in a hearing where the parties have the opportunity to put questions
to him and to present other expert witnesses in order to testify on the points at
issue.

- S27 AA is based on s 26 Model Law in giving the arbitral tribunal the power to
appoint experts, a power that was not found in the previous Act.
- Note that S 37 Eng AA goes even further and refers to Legal Advisors and Assessors.
- In most arbitrations, there will be experts especially in fields of construction,
insurance etc.
- Arbitrator must be careful here because expert reports are impt and shld be exchanged
by both parties and shld be given to the arbitrator before the arbitration starts
- Problem when arbitrator thinks he is an expert – and if disagrees then should trash it
out with the experts when issue arises – do not just say tt disagree in the judgement.
- Cannot use their own expert knowledge without first putting it to the experts.
- And how to decide which expert to believe?
- Where confused, arbitrator is allowed to appoint his own expert: this is something
new.
- And if not a lawyer, then permitted to consult a lawyer as well
- Expert can also be asked by any party to participate in the hearing: s 27(2) – and on
costs probably the losing party will pay.

Other Powers of the Arbitral Tribunal

 Section 28 of the new Act refers to general powers exercisable by the tribunal.
However, it is not confined to making orders or giving directions for security for
costs, or for the preservation and interim custody of any evidence. It is to be noted
that security for costs can be ordered against any party.
 Orders for preservation and interim custody would be similar to grant of an
interim injunction by the Court. This new section enumerates other matters such as
discovery of documents and interrogatories, giving of evidence by affidavit, the
examination of parties by oath or affirmation and administering the same.

General powers exercisable by arbitral tribunal

28. —(1) The parties may agree on the powers, which may be exercised by the arbitral
tribunal for the purposes of and in relation to the arbitration proceedings.

(2) Without prejudice to the powers conferred on the arbitral tribunal by the parties
under subsection (1), the tribunal shall have powers to make orders or give directions to
any party for —
(a) security for costs;
(b) discovery of documents and interrogatories;
(c) giving of evidence by affidavit;
(d) a party or witness to be examined on oath or affirmation, and may for that
purpose administer any necessary oath or take any necessary affirmation;
(e) the preservation and interim custody of any evidence for the purposes of the
proceedings;
(f) samples to be taken from, or any observation to be made of or experiment
conducted upon, any property which is or forms part of the subject-matter of the
dispute; and
(g) the preservation, interim custody or sale of any property which is or forms part of
the subject-matter of the dispute.

(3) The power of the arbitral tribunal to order a claimant to provide security for
costs as referred to in subsection (2)(a) shall not be exercised by reason only that the
claimant is —
(a) an individual ordinarily resident outside Singapore; or
(b) a corporation or an association incorporated or formed under the law of a
country outside Singapore, or whose central management and control is exercised
outside Singapore.

(4) All orders or directions made or given by an arbitral tribunal in the course of an
arbitration shall, by leave of the Court, be enforceable in the same manner as if they
were orders made by the Court and, where leave is so given, judgment may be
entered in terms of the order or direction.

 Muslims affirm and Christians swear oaths on the Bible.

 Section 29 of the new Act deals with defaulting parties. Where statements of claims
are not filed in time, the proceedings may be summoned. However, if the defence is
not filed the tribunal can proceed, but it is not to treat such failure in itself as an
admission of the claimant’s allegations. Where the claimant is guilty of inordinate or
inexcusable delay, the tribunal may make an award dismissing the claim.

Powers of arbitral tribunal in case of party’s default

29. —(1) The parties may agree on the powers which may be exercised by the arbitral
tribunal in the case of a party’s failure to take any necessary action for the proper and
expeditious conduct of the proceedings.
(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if, without showing sufficient cause —
(a) the claimant fails to communicate his statement of claim in accordance with section
24, the arbitral tribunal may terminate the proceedings;
(b) the respondent fails to communicate his statement of defence in accordance with
section 24, the arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings without treating such
failure in itself as an admission of the claimant’s allegations; and
(c) any party fails to appear at a hearing or to produce documentary evidence, the
arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings and make the award on the evidence
before it.
(3) If the arbitral tribunal is satisfied that there has been inordinate and inexcusable
delay on the part of the claimant in pursuing his claim, and the delay —
(a) gives rise, or is likely to give rise, to a substantial risk that it is not possible to have
a fair resolution of the issues in that claim; or
(b) has caused, or is likely to cause, serious prejudice to the respondent,
the tribunal may make an award dismissing the claim.

 Section 30 of the new Act gives power to the parties to secure the attendance of
witnesses. A court order can be obtained to subpoena witnesses.

Witnesses may be summoned by subpoena

30. —(1) Any party to an arbitration agreement may take out a writ of subpoena ad
testificandum (writ to compel witness to attend and give evidence) or a writ of
subpoena duces tecum (writ to compel witness to attend and give evidence and produce
specified documents).
(2) The Court may order that a writ of subpoena ad testificandum or a writ of
subpoena duces tecum shall be issued to compel the attendance before an arbitral
tribunal of a witness wherever he may be within Singapore.
(3) The Court may also issue an order under section 38 of the Prisons Act (Cap. 247)
to bring up a prisoner for examination before an arbitral tribunal.
(4) No person shall be compelled under any such writ to produce any document which
he could not be compelled to produce on the trial of an action.

 Section 31 of the new Act refers to Court’s powers exercisable in support of

arbitration proceedings.
- S 31 of the new Act generally states that the court has the same power as
that conferred on an arbitral tribunal under s 28, in addition to pre-emptive
powers like
- Securing the amount of the dispute,
- Ensuring that any award will not be ineffectual by dissipation of the
assets, and
- Order interim injunction or other interim measure.

Court’s powers exercisable in support of arbitration proceedings

31. —(1) The Court shall have the following powers for the purpose of and in relation
to an arbitration to which this Act applies:
(a) the same power to make orders in respect of any of the matters set out in section 28
as it has for the purpose of and in relation to an action or matter in the Court;
(b) securing the amount in dispute;
(c) ensuring that any award which may be made in the arbitral proceedings is not
rendered ineffectual by the dissipation of assets by a party; and
(d) an interim injunction or any other interim measure.
 (2) An order of the Court under this section shall cease to have effect in whole or in
part if the arbitral tribunal or any such arbitral or other institution or person having
power to act in relation to the subject-matter of the order makes an order to which the
order of the Court relates.
(3) The Court, in exercising any power under this section, shall have regard to —
(a) any application made before the arbitral tribunal; or
(b) any order made by the arbitral tribunal,
in respect of the same issue.
(4) Provision may be made by Rules of Court for conferring on the Registrar of the
Supreme Court (within the meaning of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap.
322)) or other officer of the Court all or any of the jurisdiction conferred by this Act on
the Court.

 It is however pertinent to note that the Court must give due regard to what the arbitral
tribunal does. Where similar orders are later made by the tribunal, the order of the
court would cease to have effect.

Removal of arbitrators
 2 sitns when this is sought –
- want to remove arbitrator
- award already made, want to set aside award on misconduct (note
term is not used any longer)

 The Court may be requested to remove an arbitrator on the grounds referred to in

Section 16(1) of the new Act. Other institns or persons so empowered may also
remove. Court not to act until tt is done.

Failure or impossibility to act

16. —(1) A party may request the Court to remove an arbitrator —
(a) who is physically or mentally incapable of conducting the proceedings or where
there are justifiable doubts as to his capacity to do so; or
(b) who has refused or failed —
(i) to properly conduct the proceedings; or
(ii) to use all reasonable despatch in conducting the proceedings or making an
award, and where substantial injustice has been or will be caused to that party.
(2) If there is an arbitral or other institution or person vested by the parties with power
to remove an arbitrator, the Court shall not exercise its power of removal unless it is
satisfied that the applicant has first exhausted any available recourse to that institution or
person.
(3) While an application to the Court under this section is pending, the arbitral tribunal,
including the arbitrator concerned may continue the arbitration proceedings and make an
award.
(4) Where the Court removes an arbitrator, the Court may make such order as it
thinks fit with respect to his entitlement, if any, to fees or expenses, or the repayment
of any fees or expenses already paid.
(5) The arbitrator concerned is entitled to appear and be heard by the Court before it
makes any order under this section.
(6) No appeal shall lie against the decision of the Court made under subsection (4).

 note that the wording of Section 16 of the new Act does not use the word
“misconduct” unlike Section 17 and 18 of the previous Arbitration Act. The
phrase used is “refused or failed to properly conduct the proceedings”.
 Although the legal effect is roughly the same, the new phrasing avoids the
undesirable stigma on the arbitrator. The cases above refer to the old test of
“misconduct”. In the part, there were two kinds of misconduct – legal
misconduct and personal misconduct.

 Principles of natural justice apply

 Recent case under new Act wrt removal of arbitrator is tt of yee hong v powen
electrical engineering 2005 3 SLR 512
- In tt case yee hong filed application under s16(1)(b) of AA to remove
arbitrator in arbitration proceedings commenced by powen electrical
- Allgted tt arbitrator in tt case had made preemptory order tt unless yee
hong exchanged affidavits of eic before certain date, he wld proceed to
hear matter with regard to AEIC fr yee hong
- Additionally alleged tt arbitrator made said order without hearing
application for yee hong for fuhter discovery of docs and consequential
application for etensoin of time to exchange affidavits
- Therefore alleged tt this amted to violation of natural justice and breach of
duty under s22
- Belinda Ang J dismissed application; pted out tt power to remove
arbitrator wld not be exercised unless failure to conduct proceedings
properly had cuased or wld cause substantial injustice to applicant
- Whilst failure to comply with s22 of act might manifest improper conduct
of proceedings, tt in itself not enough to warrant removal of arbitrator
under s16.1.b
- Latter provision reqd second stage of investigation nad tt whether failure
had cuased or wld cause substantial injustice
- Test of substantial injustice was igh one for any application to
surmount and diff fr test under prev regime
- Judge also found tt arbitrator had heard arg fr both sides before making
order
- Thus arbitrator had balanced relevant considerations and entitled to ocnlue
tt no basis for not proceeding to hold hearing of scheduled dates
- Arbitrator had wide discretion in reaching his decisions as to what duty of
acting fialry demanded in circumstances of partr case

 An arbitrator is allowed to make mistakes of law, but if he continually makes mistakes

of law as he does not care for the law, that may well be evidence of misconduct.
 In some cases improper admission of evidence or improper rejection of evidence may
amount to misconduct. Even use of one’s own expert knowledge may amount to
misconduct.

 In Fisher & Another v P G Wellfair Ltd [1981] 2 Lloyds Rep. 514 (English CA), the
applicants served notices of motion in the main and individual arbitrations applying
that the arbitrator be removed for misconduct; alternatively that the awards be set
aside for misconduct. The grounds of the application were inter alia that (1) the
arbitrator had taken into account facts and matters which tended to contradict the
unchallenged evidence tendered at the hearing of the reference without giving the
applicants notice or opportunity of dealing with the same and (2) he failed to conduct
the said proceedings in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
- Held, by C.A. (Lord DENNING, M.R., DUNN and O'CONNOR, L.JJ.),
that
- (1) on the evidence the arbitrator was an expert and not simply a legal
arbitrator
- (2) the fact that the claim was undefended did not mean that the arbitrator
was obliged to accept the claim without question nor did it mean that he
was under an obligation to protect the party who was not present; his
function was to hold the scales of justice as evenly as he could and act as
fairly and judicially in the conduct of the hearing
- (3) an expert arbitrator should not in effect give evidence to himself
without disclosing the evidence on which he relied to the parties or if there
was only one to that party; he should not act on his private opinion without
disclosing it and although it was true that an expert arbitrator could use his
own expert knowledge there was a distinction between general expert
knowledge and knowledge of special facts relevant to the particular case
- (4) the conclusion which the arbitrator had come to could only have been
reached by in effect giving evidence to himself in fiat contradiction to the
evidence given by the applicants' expert witnesses; natural justice required
that he ought to have put his alternative scheme and alternative costings to
the experts to give them an opportunity of dealing with them; and in
failing to take that course the arbitrator was guilty of technical or legal
misconduct in failing to observe the principles of natural justice
- (5) in the circumstances the learned Judge was right in his conclusion that
the awards would be set aside and the arbitrator removed and the appeal
would be dismissed

 Turner (East Asia) Pte Ltd v Builders Federal (Hong Kong) Ltd & Anor (No. 2)
[1988] 2 MLJ 502 is an interesting case where the “reasonable suspicion” test was
applied (in relation to the old Section 17(1), the predecessor of the current Section
16(1) AA. The test applied by Chao Tick Hin J (as he then was) was whether a
reasonable and fair minded person sitting in Court and knowing all the relevant facts
have a reasonable suspicion that a fair hearing for the applicant was not possible. It
was held that by not referring a legal question to the Court, the arbitrator had
misconducted the proceedings.
 In Sabah Bank Bhd v Borneo Housing Mortgage Finance Bhd [1992] 3 CLJ 1640,
it was remarked that it was not misconduct to err in fact or law, or to make findings
for which there was no evidence. In that case, it was held that the arbitrator had not
deviated from the norms as the parties had their say, they submitted all sorts of
documents, they talked at length, and only at the end did the arbitrator consider the
facts and the weight to be placed on each, as well, as the law. Accordingly, he had not
misconducted himself or the proceedings.

 The recent case of Koh Bros Building and Civil Engineering Contractor Pte Ltd v
Scotts Development (Saraca) Pte Ltd [2002] 4 SLR 748 relates to the alleged
misconduct of an arbitrator during the course of an arbitration. That case involved a
dispute between the contractor and the developer. The contractor had applied for an
interim award on the sum obtained. The developer objected in correspondence to the
application that the matter was res judicata. At the hearing of the preliminary
objections of the developer, an additional argument was presented; namely that the
matter was not fit for summary disposal. The arbitrator apparently agreed with the
submission and later wrote to the parties refusing to hear the application for the
interim award.
- The arbitrator then applied to the High Court for the removal of the
arbitrator for misconduct under Section 17(1)(a) of the previous
Arbitration Act alleging breach of natural justice as he had not heard their
application on the merits. Additionally, it was argued that he had
prejudged the matter, as the only matter before him was whether the
contractor’s application should be heard.
- Judith Prakash J went extensively into the general law relating to
misconduct, and dealt with the two main issues before her:
- (a) was there a breach of natural justice as alleged; and
- (b) should the arbitrator be removed.
- The learned judge took the view that there was a breach of natural justice
as submitted by the contractor, and hence the arbitrator had acted
inappropriately. With regards to the next question, it was pointed out that
an order for removal would be made if it is determined that the conduct of
the arbitrator was such as to make a reasonable person think that there was
a real likelihood that the arbitrator could not or would not fairly determine
the relevant issues in the arbitration. In the circumstances, the arbitrator
would be removed.
- The learned Judge pointed out that the arbitrator had cut short the process
of listening to both sides, by telescoping two separate parts of the interim
application hearing into one. He did so by determining the outcome of the
first part of the application on the basis of issues that actually fell within
the second part of the application, without hearing full arguments from
both sides.

Award
 Section 32 of the new Act deals with the law to be applied by an arbitral tribunal to
the substance of a dispute before it.

Law applicable to substance of dispute

32. —(1) The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance with the law
chosen by the parties as applicable to the substance of the dispute.
(2) If or to the extent that the parties have not chosen the law applicable to the
substance of their dispute, the arbitral tribunal shall apply the law determined by
the conflict of laws rules.
(3) The arbitral tribunal may decide the dispute, if the parties so agree, in accordance
with such other considerations as are agreed by them or determined by the tribunal.

 Section 32(2) therefore presumes that the law of Singapore need not apply in such
cases. This could be so in cases where the parties arbitrating in Singapore may not
have any connection with Singapore, but merely like to come to Singapore to
arbitrate.

 Section 32(3) would allow the tribunal to decide according to justice, equity and good
conscience and other similar considerations. Thus a decision would be recognised,
even if it is not made in accordance with any system of national law.

 Section 33 allows an arbitral tribunal to make more than one award at different points
in time. The controversial concept of ‘interim awards’ has also been dropped in the
new Act. A tribunal may decide on liability which would affect the whole claim, or
the tribunal may decide in part only of the claim or on cross-claims submitted for
decision, or on counterclaims.

 Law Commission’s Final Report on The Review of Arbitration Laws:

- This clause was to cater for complex cases where issues raised may mean protracted
and expensive hearings, and empowers the tribunal to identify and deal with issues it
deems critical in priority over others.
- The omission of ‘interim awards’ was deliberate as the Act contemplates that all
awards enforcement of which is sought (including interim and partial awards) are to
be final in nature
- The reference to ‘different times’ is so as to avoid any controversy on whether an
interim award has final and binding effect.

Awards made on different issues

33. —(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may make more
than one award at different points in time during the proceedings on different aspects of
the matters to be determined.
(2) The arbitral tribunal may, in particular, make an award relating to —
(a) an issue affecting the whole claim; or
(b) a part only of the claim, counter-claim or cross-claim, which is submitted to the
tribunal for decision.
(3) If the arbitral tribunal makes an award under this section, it shall specify in its
award, the issue, or claim or part of a claim, which is the subject-matter of the award.

- Section 34 of the new Act deals with remedies or reliefs, which an arbitral
tribunal may award. Here again, the choice of the parties is paramount.
that unless otherwise agreed, the tribunal shall have the power to make
any award that could have been ordered by a Court in civil proceedings
- There is now no restriction in Singapore on the power to grant specific
performance of a contract relating to land, unlike First Schedule of the
old Act and s 48 Eng Act.
-
 Thus our Tribunals may have more powers than the English Tribunals as our law also
modelled on Model Law

Remedies
34. —(1) The parties may agree on the powers exercisable by the arbitral
tribunal as regards remedies.
(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may award any
remedy or relief that could have been ordered by the Court if the dispute had been
the subject of civil proceedings in that Court.

 If the parties had not agreed to limit the available remedies beforehand, Section 34(2)
states that the tribunal can provide any relief or remedy as the High Court could if the
dispute had been the subject of a civil dispute proceedings in court e.g.

- Award for payment of money

- Specific performance – including rights relating to land or interest in land.
- Declaratory relief – e.g. whether a party is entitled to reject goods;
meaning of certain clauses in a lease. Must be a final declaration, which
determine the rights of the parties “once and for all”. See Bocatra
Construction Pte Ltd v A-G [1995] 2 SLR 523
- Comments: Interim declarations could not exist in law as final
legal rights were not being declared. It was not enough to maintain
that simply because injunctions were not available in proceedings
against the government, the courts should therefore freely adapt the
device of a declaratory order to attain a desired result which might
only be properly achieved through the grant of an injunction.

- Indemnity – against liability to third parties, which have yet to be

established or incurred.

 Section 35 deals with interest payable on an award. The general rule is that it should
be the same as a judgment debt.
 Interest
35. —(1) The arbitral tribunal may award interest, including interest on a compound
basis, on the whole or any part of any sum that —
(a) is awarded to any party; or
(b) is in issue in the arbitral proceedings but is paid before the date of the award,
for the whole or any part of the period up to the date of the award or payment,
whichever is applicable.
(2) A sum directed to be paid by an award shall, unless the award otherwise directs,
carry interest as from the date of the award and at the same rate as a judgment debt.

 Section 36 allows the court to give extensions of time for making an award provided
it is satisfied that substantial injustice would otherwise be done.

Extension of time for making award

36. —(1) Where the time for making an award is limited by the arbitration agreement,
the Court may by order, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, extend that time.
(2) An application for an order under this section may be made —
(a) upon notice to the parties, by the arbitral tribunal; or
(b) upon notice to the arbitral tribunal and the other parties, by any party to the
proceedings.
(3) An application under this section shall not be made unless all available tribunal
processes for application of extension of time have been exhausted.
(4) The Court shall not make an order under this section unless it is satisfied that
substantial injustice would otherwise be done.
(5) The Court may extend the time for such period and on such terms as it thinks fit,
and may do so whether or not the time previously fixed by or under the arbitration
agreement or by a previous order has expired.
(6) The leave of the Court shall be required for any appeal from a decision of the
Court under this section.

- Section 37 allows the tribunal may record a settlement between parties in the form of
an arbitral award on agreed terms. The parties may agree to come to a settlement and
then may want to record the settlement in the form of a consent award so that they
could have a settlement agreement with all the benefits of enforcement that comes
along with an arbitral award: eg could enforce it in a jurisdiction that is party to the
NY Convention.
- This saves the party in whose favour the award is made the need to prove its claims
afresh or sue on the settlement agreement should default be made in the performance
of the agreed terms

Award by consent
37. —(1) If, during arbitration proceedings, the parties settle the dispute, the arbitral
tribunal shall terminate the proceedings and, if requested by the parties and not
objected to by the arbitral tribunal, record the settlement in the form of an arbitral
award on agreed terms.
(2) An arbitral award on agreed terms —
 (a) shall be made in accordance with section 38;
(b) shall state that it is an award; and
(c) shall have the same status and effect as any other award on the merits of the
case.
(3) An award on agreed terms may, with the leave of the Court, be enforced in the
same manner as a judgment or order to the same effect, and where leave is so
given, judgment may be entered in terms of the award.

 Form and Contents of Award

 Section 38 of the new Arbitration Act stipulates inter alia that the award shall be
made in writing and signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators.
 The award must be in writing, and signed by all the arbitrators or a majority provided
the reason for any omitted signature is stated: s 38(1), with the date and place of
arbitration stated: s 38(3)
 The award must state the reasons on which it is based, UNLESS:
- the parties have agreed that no grounds need be stated OR
- the award is an award by consent under s 37.

Form and contents of award

38. —(1) The award shall be made in writing and shall be signed —
(a) in the case of a single arbitrator, by the arbitrator himself; or
(b) in the case of 2 or more arbitrators, by all the arbitrators or the majority of the
arbitrators provided that the reason for any omitted signature of any arbitrator is stated.
(2) The award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the parties have
agreed that no grounds are to be stated or the award is an award on agreed terms under
section 37.
(3) The date of the award and place of arbitration shall be stated in the award.
(4) The award shall be deemed to have been made at the place of arbitration.
(5) After the award is made, a copy of the award signed by the arbitrators in
accordance with subsection (1) shall be delivered to each party.

 An arbitration whose place of arbitration is Singapore shall be deemed to be made in

Singapore. This implies that this presumption will be applied even if the hearing takes
place outside Singapore, or the arbitrators put their signature on the award outside
Singapore.

 Correction or interpretation of award and additional award

Correction or interpretation of award and additional award

43. —(1) A party may, within 30 days of the receipt of the award, unless another
period of time has been agreed upon by the parties —
(a) upon notice to the other parties, request the arbitral tribunal to correct in the award
any error in computation, any clerical or typographical error, or other error of
similar nature; and
(b) upon notice to the other parties, request the arbitral tribunal to give an
interpretation of a specific point or part of the award, if such request is also agreed
to by the other parties.
(2) If the arbitral tribunal considers the request in subsection (1) to be justified, the
tribunal shall make such correction or give such interpretation within 30 days of the
receipt of the request and such interpretation shall form part of the award.
(3) The arbitral tribunal may correct any error of the type referred to in subsection
(1)(a) or give an interpretation referred to in subsection (1)(b), on its own initiative,
within 30 days of the date of the award.
(4) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party may, within 30 days of receipt
of the award and upon notice to the other party, request the arbitral tribunal to
make an additional award as to claims presented during the arbitration
proceedings but omitted from the award.
(5) If the arbitral tribunal considers the request in subsection (4) to be justified, the
tribunal shall make the additional award within 60 days of the receipt of such request.
(6) The arbitral tribunal may, if necessary, extend the period of time within which it
shall make a correction, interpretation or an additional award under this section.
(7) Section 38 shall apply to an award in respect of which a correction or interpretation
has been made under this section and to an additional award.

 Effect of award

 The doctrine of “finality” is enshrined in Section 44(1) of the new Act.

Effect of award
44. —(1) An award made by the arbitral tribunal pursuant to an arbitration agreement
shall be final and binding on the parties and on any person claiming through or under
them and may be relied upon by any of the parties by way of defence, set-off or
otherwise in any proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) Except as provided in section 43, upon an award being made, including an award
made in accordance with section 33, the arbitral tribunal shall not vary, amend,
correct, review, add to or revoke the award.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), an award is made when it has been signed and
delivered in accordance with section 38.
(4) This section shall not affect the right of a person to challenge the award by any
available arbitral process of appeal or review or in accordance with the provisions of
this Act.

Tang Boon Jek Jeffrey v Tan Poh Leng Stanley [2001] 3 SLR 237
The “final award” must be the one that completes everything that the arbitral tribunal is
expected to decide, including the question of costs. Following from the above, it is
clear that until such a final award is given, the arbitral tribunal’s mandate still
continues; it is not functus officio. As the mandate of the Arbitrator had not yet been
terminated, he was entitled to reconsider his decision and if he thought fit, as he did
here, to reverse himself.
Comments: The CA took the view that the arbitration proceedings had not come to an
end as there was an outstanding question as to costs and the arbitrator could reconsider
issues, which had been decided by him.

 Preliminary Points of Law

Determination of preliminary point of law

45. —(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the Court may, on the application of a
party to the arbitration proceedings who has given notice to the other parties,
determine any question of law arising in the course of the proceedings which the
Court is satisfied substantially affects the rights of one or more of the parties.

(2) The Court shall not consider an application under this section unless —
(a) it is made with the agreement of all parties to the proceedings; or
(b) it is made with the permission of the arbitral tribunal and the Court is satisfied that
—
(i) the determination of the question is likely to produce substantial savings in costs;
and
(ii) the application is made without delay.

(5) Except with the leave of the Court, no appeal shall lie from a decision of the Court
on whether the conditions in subsection (2) are met.
(6) The decision of the Court on a question of law shall be a judgment of the Court for
the purposes of an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
(7) The Court may give leave to appeal against the decision of the Court in
subsection (6) only if the question of law before it is one of general importance, or is
one which for some other special reason should be considered by the Court of Appeal.

 Powers of Court Regarding Awards Made

Enforcement of award
46. —(1) An award made by the arbitral tribunal pursuant to an arbitration agreement
may, with leave of the Court, be enforced in the same manner as a judgment or
order of the Court to the same effect.
(2) Where leave of the Court is so granted, judgment may be entered in the terms of
the award.
(3) Notwithstanding section 3, subsection (1) shall apply to an award irrespective of
whether the place of arbitration is Singapore or elsewhere.

No judicial review of award

47. The Court shall not have jurisdiction to confirm, vary, set aside or remit an
award on an arbitration agreement except where so provided in this Act.

 Hence, orders for certiorari, mandamus, etc. are not available to vary, set aside or
remit an award.
 Furthermore, an application under Order 69 Rule 2 to declare that an award is not
binding, would no longer be available as it is not specifically provided for in the Act.

 Section 48 lays down a number of reasons for which the High Court may set aside an
award. This Section is based on Article 34 of the Model Law. Setting aside the
award is not the same as an appeal, which is dealt with under Section 49

Court may set aside award

48. —(1) An award may be set aside by the Court —
(a) if the party who applies to the Court to set aside the award proves to the satisfaction
of the Court that —

(i) a party to the arbitration agreement was under some incapacity;

(ii) the arbitration agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties have
subjected it, or failing any indication thereon, under the laws of Singapore;

(iii) the party making the application was not given proper notice of the appointment
of an arbitrator or of the arbitration proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his
case;

(iv) the award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the
terms of the submission to arbitration, or contains decisions on matters beyond
the scope of the submission to arbitration, except that, if the decisions on matters
submitted to arbitration can be separated from those not so submitted, only that part of
the award which contains decisions on matters not submitted to arbitration may be set
aside;

(v) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure is not in
accordance with the agreement of the parties, unless such agreement is contrary to any
provisions of this Act from which the parties cannot derogate, or, in the absence of such
agreement, is contrary to the provisions of this Act;

(vi) the making of the award was induced or affected by fraud or corruption;

(vii) a breach of the rules of natural justice occurred in connection with the making
of the award by which the rights of any party have been prejudiced; or

(b) if the Court finds that —

(i) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration
under this Act; or
(ii) the award is contrary to public policy.

(2) An application for setting aside an award may not be made after the expiry of 3
months from the date on which the party making the application had received the
 award, or if a request has been made under section 43, from the date on which that
request had been disposed of by the arbitral tribunal.

(3) When a party applies to the Court to set aside an award under this section, the Court
may, where appropriate and so requested by a party, suspend the proceedings for setting
aside an award, for such period of time as it may determine, to allow the arbitral
tribunal to resume the arbitration proceedings or take such other action as may
eliminate the grounds for setting aside an award.

 The term “corruption” can be construed very widely as under the Prevention of
Corruption Act. Basically taking any advantage is corruption. Corruption is not
limited to just bribery alone.

 Award is contrary to public policy. Note that the scope of public policy is not defined,
so it can be very broad, and a possible “unruly horse” if the phrase is not strictly
construed.

Hainan Machinery Import & Export Corp [1996] 1 SLR 34.2

- Comments: Public policy did not require that this court refuse to enforce the award
obtained by the plaintiffs. There was no allegation of illegality or fraud and
enforcement would therefore not be injurious to the public good. The comity of
nations required that the awards of foreign arbitration tribunals be given due
deference [initial arbitration in tribunal from China] and be enforced unless
exceptional circumstances exist. [and hence still not defined] As a nation that aspired
to be an international arbitration centre, Singapore must recognise foreign awards if it
expected its own awards to be recognised abroad.

Harris Adacom Corp v Perkam Sdn Bhd [1991] 3 MLJ 504

- The defendant had entered into a distribution agreement with Harris Corporation, an
American company, under which it owed the sum of RM538,000. Harris Corporation
then sold its interests and assigned all its rights to the plaintiff. When the defendant
failed to pay the debt, the plaintiff commenced arbitration proceedings in the United
States. The defendant did not appear despite due notice and an award was made in
favour of the plaintiff. The plaintiff applied to register the award under the
Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards Act
1985.
- The defendant opposed the application on the grounds that: (i) it was contrary to
public policy to enforce the award as the plaintiff was an Israeli company.
- Held – “On the allegation that the plaintiff is an Israeli based company and, therefore,
it is against public policy to have the award enforced, it is common ground that, in the
foreign office declaration produced to this court, if it is so found that the plaintiff is an
Israeli based company, it is against public policy to enforce it as trade with Israel is
prohibited.

2
The respondent alleged that decision not based on law; no allegation of illegality or fraud, CIETAC award
enforced.
- Is the fact so? This court need only refer to exh P7 referred to in the affidavit of Paul
Owen Suttie at p 14 that the Malaysian Government`s stand vis-a-vis the state of
Israel is not applicable and has no relevance in our present case and does not support
the defendant`s argument. I find merit in the statement of LJ Zito of Harris Adacom,
in a letter to the defendant, dated 12 July 1990 (exh A5) in the affidavit of DP Naban,
encl (1), that clearly puts the correct position that the plaintiff is a United States
corporation. The plaintiff like any other company has a 68% stake in a subsidiary
company engaged in development and manufacturing operations in Israel but what is
important for our consideration, and to be clear about, and the court is clear on this,
that the products covered by the distribution agreement have been and would have
continued to be developed, manufactured and supported from the plaintiff`s United
States operation. For the reason stated above, I reject the defendant`s argument that it
is against public policy to have this award enforced.

 Note that Section 48(3) does not amount to a real remission as it is intended to enable
the tribunal to remedy only the alleged irregularities. One cannot review the case on
its merits.

 It must also be noted that Section 48(1)(a)(vi), (vii) and (viii) can be possibly applied
in situations where there can be said to be ‘misconduct” on the part of the arbitrator,
although there is no concept of misconduct in the present Arbitration Act as compared
to the old Act.

 With regards to Section 48(1)(a)(vii) (breach of the rules of natural justice), Lord
Tucker in Russell v Duke of Norfolk [1949] 1 All ER 109 states that whatever
standard is adopted,, the person concerned should have a reasonable opportunity of
presenting his case (audi alteram partum). What does the phrase “breach of the rules
of natural justice” mean? As was said by Lord Morris in Wiseman v Borneman
[1971] AC 309, “Natural justice, it has been said, is only fair play in action”.

 In criticizing awards made by arbitrators, it is often alleged that findings have been
made with little or no evidence, or that the aggrieved party was not given a chance to
explain matters more fully, more so, as they cannot know what the arbitrators were
thinking.

Bulfracht (Cyprus) Ltd v Boneset Shinninn Co Ltd (The “Pamphilos”) [2002] 2

Lloyds Rep 681 (This case involved inter alia Section 68 of the English Arbitration Act,
which is somewhat similar to Section 48 of the new Singapore Arbitration Act.)

 Colman J – “The arbitrator’s duty was to give the parties a fair opportunity of
addressing them on all factual issues material to their intended decision as to which
there had been no reasonable opportunity to address them during the hearings…..
 It has to be emphasized, however, that the duty to act fairly is quite distinct from the
autonomous power of the arbitrators to make findings of fact. Thus, whereas it may
normally be contrary to the arbitrator’s duty to fail to give to the parties an
opportunity to address them on proposed findings of major areas of material primary
 facts which have not been raised during the hearing or earlier in the arbitral
proceedings, it will usually not be necessary to refer back to the parties for further
submissions every single inference of fact from the primary facts which arbitrators
intend to draw, even if such inferences may not have been previously anticipated in
the course of the arbitration. Particularly where there are complex factual issues it
may often be impossible to anticipate by the end of the hearing exactly what
inferences of fact should be drawn from the findings of primary fact which have been
in issue. In such a case the tribunal does not have to refer back its evidential analysis
for further submissions.”

- recent English case relevant to rules of natural justice or duty to act fairly – st
george’s investment v Gemini consulting 2004 EWHC 2353 (Ch)
o held tt arbitrator entitled to use his expert knowledge to arraive at his
award; knowledge which he wld be reasonably expected to have and
provded he isuses it to evaluate the vid called and not to introd new and
diff evid
o otherwise his duty to expose those matters for comnt by party concerned
o arbitrator is also entitled to arrive at award by deploying evid in awy diff
fr the way parties’ witnesses have deployed them; provided tt it addresses
matter which has been put into arena

 Appeals against the award on a Question of Law

Appeal against an Award

- What’s the difference btwn setting aside an award and appealing against an award?
- Setting aside relates primarily to attacking the award based on
irregularity.
- Appealing deals with the merits of the case – not so much on arbitration –
but on the question of law arising out of the award made in the
proceedings.

Appeal against award

49. —(1) A party to arbitration proceedings may (upon notice to the other parties and to
the arbitral tribunal) appeal to the Court on a question of law arising out of an award
made in the proceedings.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the parties may agree to exclude the jurisdiction
of the Court under this section and an agreement to dispense with reasons for the
arbitral tribunal’s award shall be treated as an agreement to exclude the
jurisdiction of the Court under this section.

(3) An appeal shall not be brought under this section except —

(a) with the agreement of all the other parties to the proceedings; or
(b) with the leave of the Court.
 (4) The right to appeal under this section shall be subject to the restrictions in section
50.

(5) Leave to appeal3 shall be given only if the Court is satisfied that —
(a) the determination of the question will substantially affect the rights of one or
more of the parties;
(b) the question is one which the arbitral tribunal was asked to determine;
(c) on the basis of the findings of fact in the award —
(i) the decision of the arbitral tribunal on the question is obviously wrong; or
(ii) the question is one of general public importance and the decision of the arbitral
tribunal is at least open to serious doubt; and
(d) despite the agreement of the parties to resolve the matter by arbitration, it is just
and proper in all the circumstances for the Court to determine the question.

(6) An application for leave to appeal under this section shall identify the question of
law to be determined and state the grounds on which it is alleged that leave to appeal
should be granted.

(7) The leave of the Court shall be required for any appeal from a decision of the Court
under this section to grant or refuse leave to appeal.

(8) On an appeal under this section, the Court may by order —

(a) confirm the award;
(b) vary the award;
(c) remit the award to the arbitral tribunal, in whole or in part, for reconsideration in
the light of the Court’s determination; or
(d) set aside the award in whole or in part.

(9)The Court shall not exercise its power to set aside an award, in whole or in part,
unless it is satisfied that it would be inappropriate to remit the matters in question to the
arbitral tribunal for reconsideration.

(10) The decision of the Court on an appeal under this section shall be treated as a
judgment of the Court for the purposes of an appeal to the Court of Appeal.

(11) The Court may give leave to appeal against the decision of the Court in subsection
(10) only if the question of law before it is one of general importance, or one which
for some other special reason should be considered by the Court of Appeal.

- The new Act differs from the old Act as follows:

- The criteria for appeal: in old Act: if appealing to CA then must be
question of general imptance
- Under the new Act there are 5 conditions for appeal to HC, and for appeals
to CA there is also the added requirement of public imptance

3
The principles in The Nema are similar.
 Under Section 49(1) , an appeal must be on the basis of a question of law, and not
secondary facts.

- The court will only grant leave to appeal if the grounds in S 49(5) are satisfied.
- Note that under Section 49(5)(a), the rights of one or more of the parties
must be “substantially” affected.
- The phrase “obviously wrong” under Section 49(5)(c)(i) is a question of
law which is subjective.
- The phrase “open to serious doubt” under Section 49(5)(c)(ii) implies a
standard lower than “obviously wrong” under Section 49(5)(c)(i). If one
arbitrator out of three totally differs in opinion, that could qualify as
serious doubt. A decision may be “open to serious doubt”, but may not be
“obviously wrong”.

 It appears that “general importance” in Section 49(11) is of a broader standard than

“general public importance” in Section 49(5)(c)(ii) since different phrasing is used.
What is a matter of public importance? There is no decision on this point yet, but in
Jeyaretnam’s case, it was said that a matter of public importance is not a one-off case.

 Note that the present provisions with regards to appeals against awards contained in
section 49 (and the statutory criteria in Section 49(5) in particular) of the new Act
have replaced the judge-made guidelines in the the HL decisions in The Nema [1980]
2 Lloyd’s Rep 339 and The Antaios [1985] AC 191 (widely referred to as The
Nema/Antaios guidelines).

 Previously under the Nema/ Antaios guidelines, where the construction of a “one-off”
contract or clause was in issue, the discretion was to be strictly exercised and leave to
appeal normally refused unless the judge was satisfied that the construction given by
the arbitrator was “obviously wrong”.
- Where, however, what was in issue was the construction of a standard
form contract or clause a less guarded approach was adopted. In such a
case, the judge had to be satisfied as to two cumulative requirements
before being prepared to consider giving leave to appeal.
- First, he must be satisfied that the resolution of the question of
construction would add significantly to the clarity, certainty and
comprehensiveness of the law; and second when so satisfied, that there
was strong prima facie evidence that the arbitrator had gone wrong in his
construction.

- At the outset, I must state that while the criteria for appeal are set out in s 49 new Act
and at first glance contrast extremely with the old s 28, on careful examination, one
will find that our s 49 is merely a codification of the law as existed before the
commencement of the new Act.

- In the case of Nema the court expounded the guidelines on when the court should
grant leave to appeal.
- Law Commission’s Final Report on The Review of Arbitration Laws:
• The principles that had consistently been applied by the courts in granting or
refusing leave as enunciated in the leading case of The Nema are now spelt out
in this clause.

- The Nema principles are thus relevant and the new Act is a mere codification of the
law as stood then, revealed in parliamentary reports too.

- As stated in the Law Commission Report, our new Act was meant to incorporate the
guidelines therefore guidelines clearly relevant:

- Under s 49(5)(c), the court may grant leave only where on the basis of the findings of
fact in the award,
- (i) the decision of the arbitral tribunal is ‘obviously wrong’OR
- (ii) if the question is one of general public importance AND the decision of the
arbitral tribunal is at least open to serious doubt

- Thus it would appear that s 49(5)(c)(i) refers to a case where leave will be granted in
a one-off contract: i.e. where the arbitrator was ‘obviously wrong’. The test for
granting leave here appears to be the exact phrase used by Lord Diplock in The
Nema and the Antaios.

- Similarly, s 49(5)(c)(ii) mirrors the Nema/Antaios guidelines for granting leave in a

standard form case: i.e. the ‘less guarded approach’. The provision also has
cumulative requirements of the concepts of ‘general public importance’ and ‘open to
serious doubt’ as stated in the Nema/Antaios guidelines in the form of ‘adding to the
clarity of the law’ and ‘strong prima facie evidence that the arbitrator had gone
wrong’.

- However, it does appear that our s 49 may lay down even stricter requirements for the
granting of leave to appeal as s 49(5) also states as cumulative requirements that:
- The determination of the question must ‘substantially affect’ the rights of
one or more of the parties: s 49(5)(a), and
- The question must be one which the arbitral tribunal was asked to
determine: s 49(5)(b), and
- The question of law must have as its basis the findings of fact by the
tribunal: s 49(5)(c).

• As noted in the Law Commission’s Report, this it to prevent parties from trying to
review a tribunal’s findings of facts by expressing it in the form of a question of law,
and operates to ensure that the question of law has relevance to the facts as found
• Further, the power of the court to grant leave is discretionary and the court may refuse
leave unless it is just and proper in all the circumstances
• OTOH, it could be said that these ‘additional’ requirements for leave were always
also present before the enactment of the law, and the new AA just merely codified all
the principles applicable.

• The leave of the court will be required for any appeal from a decision of the court to
grant or refuse leave to appeal: s 49(7).

• After the court has heard an appeal against the award, another appeal from this appeal
is possible. [ie Tribunal  HC  CA]
- Here leave to appeal against the decision of the court is need and will only
be given if the question of law is one of some general importance, or for
some other special reason should be considered by the CA: s 49(11).
- thus while a distinction is drawn in the criteria required in an appeal from
the tribunal to the HC, and an appeal from the HC to the CA, there is some
overlap.
- Note also O 69 r 8: An application under the Arbitration Act for leave to
appeal against a decision of the Court to the Court of Appeal must be
made to the court within 7 days of the decision of the court.

 The Nema/ Antaios guidelines had been applied in Singapore in the cases of:

Invar Realty v JDC [1988] 3 MLJ 13.

 (1).General guidelines for the granting of leave to appeal were set out in The Nema
[1982] AC 724; [1981] 2 Lloyd`s Rep 239, as follows. Where a question of law
involved was the construction of a `one-off` clause the application of which to the
particular facts of the case was an issue in the arbitration, leave should not normally
be given unless it was apparent to the judge upon a mere perusal of the reasoned
award itself without the benefit of adversarial argument, that the meaning ascribed to
the clause by the arbitrator was obviously wrong. Rather less strict criteria were
appropriate where questions of construction of contracts in standard terms were
concerned. But leave should not be given even in such a case, unless the judge
considered that a strong prima facie case had been made out that the arbitrator had
been wrong in his construction.
 (2).The issues that were placed before the arbitrator upon which he made a finding
were more questions of fact rather than questions of law. He was asked to determine
whether the parties had agreed between them to extend the completion date by 101/2
months. The arbitrator answered the question in the affirmative after examining
contemporaneous documents and hearing oral evidence from the parties. On this view,
there could be no appeal to the High Court.
 (3).If the court were wrong on the above view, then the guidelines in The Nema
would be applied to determine whether leave should be given. Where, as in this case,
a standard clause was to be applied to a `one-off` event, stricter criteria should be
applied, ie if it was apparent to the judge upon a mere perusal of the reasoned award
itself without the benefit of adversarial argument that the meaning ascribed to the
clause by the arbitrator was obviously wrong; but if on such perusal it appeared to the
judge that it was possible that arguments might persuade him, despite first impression
 to the contrary, that the arbitrator might be right, he should not grant leave. On these
criteria, there was nothing in the award to indicate to the court that the arbitrator was
obviously wrong in his decision.
 (4).The award of the arbitrator in the instant case could not be truly called a reasoned
award. It was clearly an award to which s 28(6) applied.
 (5).There was no special reason why a notice to the arbitrator before the award was
made, that a reasoned award would be required, was not given by Invar. It followed
therefore that there was no jurisdiction for the court to grant leave to order the
arbitrator to give reasons. There should be finality to arbitration. Parties should not be
allowed to wait and see how the award came out before they decide whether or not it
should be a reasoned award. The principle behind this was fairness: reasons when
given were available to both sides and they could each consider whether or not they
should seek leave to appeal.
 (6).If the the award given by the arbitrator was a reasoned award, though inadequate,
and that s 28(6) did not apply, this court in considering whether leave should be
granted to order the arbitrator to state further reasons for his award had to bear in
mind at least the following two factors: (i) if further reasons were ordered and given,
what prospect was there that leave to appeal against the award to the High Court
would be granted in accordance with the guidelines set out in The Nema ; and (ii) no
request for reasons was made by Invar to the arbitrator before the award was given.
Invar had not satisfied any of these two criteria. In any event, a decision on those
questions of law raised by Invar in this application would not add significantly to the
clarity and certainty of the law. Each case would have to depend on its own facts. The
facts in this case were special.

American Home Assurance Co v Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd [1999] 3 SLR 682
 Held -- dismissing the appeal -- (1).The general principles governing the granting of
leave to appeal against an award made on an arbitration agreement under s 28 of the
Arbitration Act (Cap 10) (`the Act`) were as spelt out in the House of Lords decisions
in The Nema and The Antaios , and have come to be widely referred to as The
Nema/Antaios guidelines. These not only gave effect to the policy of the legislature to
accord greater recognition to the finality of awards in matters of legal determination,
but also illustrated the approach to be taken in particular circumstances encountered
in practice, for instance the nature of the question of law in issue and whether its
significance was confined to the arbitrating parties or was of wider interest.
 (2).Where the construction of a `one-off` contract or clause was in issue, the
discretion was to be strictly exercised and leave to appeal normally refused unless the
judge was satisfied that the construction given by the arbitrator was `obviously
wrong`. Where, however, what was in issue was the construction of a standard form
contract or clause a less guarded approach was adopted. In such a case, the judge had
to be satisfied as to two cumulative requirements before being prepared to consider
giving leave to appeal. First, he must be satisfied that the resolution of the question of
construction would add significantly to the clarity, certainty and comprehensiveness
of the law; and second when so satisfied, that there was strong prima facie evidence
that the arbitrator had gone wrong in his construction.
 (3).In the instant case, the main question of law in issue - the scope and effect of the
bonds issued by the appellants in favour of the respondents - had to be characterised
as `one-off` rather than standard. The resolution of this question depended entirely on
the true nature of the bonds which, it was trite law, was entirely a question of
construction. In turn, the question of construction involved taking into account not
only the words used by the parties to express their mutual obligations, but also the
factual matrix or surrounding circumstances, and when all this was considered, it led
to the conclusion that the question of law was `one-off` and not standard in character,
for two reasons. First, the evidence showed that the relevant portions of the bonds
were tailored to meet the parties` respective positions - the epitome of a `one-off`
case; and second, the decision on the question of construction one way or the other
would merely be another factual illustration of well-established principles and would
be incapable of adding anything to the existing jurisprudence. The appellants
therefore had to satisfy the court to the degree of an `obvious`, ie readily
demonstrable error - that the award of the arbitrator was bad in law. In any
event, if this was incorrect, they would not have succeeded in satisfying even the
less stringent criteria of a `strong prima facie case` of error.
 (4).Leave to appeal would be refused on the first issue. The bonds were clearly
performance bonds payable on demand and not repayment or refund guarantees.
Accordingly, the appellants were liable to pay on the respondents` demands made
under the bonds which were triggered by the exercise of their rights of termination or
rescission, notwithstanding that what was claimed was not repayment of the progress
payments paid to the shipyard but possession of the vessel and damages. Neither a
strong prima facie case was made out that the arbitrator had erred in his
construction of the bonds, nor could it be said that he was obviously wrong.

The Case Law Guidelines Elaborated

- The Nema/Antaios guidelines governed the approach that should be taken by judges
when deciding whether to grant leave to appeal against an arbitration award and have
now been incorporated into our s 49(5) AA.
- Note however that clear guidelines in Nema now superceded by s49(5)
- Do not have to show seriously wrong – merely that
- decision of tribunal open to serious doubt and tt
- pt is one of general public importance (the commercial community)

- As summarised by the learned CJ in the American Home Assurance Case,

Nema/Antaios state that:
- If the construction of a `one-off` contract or clause was in issue, the
discretion was to be strictly exercised and leave to appeal normally
refused unless the judge was satisfied that the construction given by the
arbitrator was `obviously wrong`.
- Where, however, what was in issue was the construction of a standard
form contract or clause a less guarded approach was adopted. In such a
case, the judge had to be satisfied as to two cumulative requirements
before being prepared to consider giving leave to appeal.
 - First, he must be satisfied that the resolution of the question of
construction would add significantly to the clarity, certainty and
comprehensiveness of the law; and second when so satisfied, that there
was strong prima facie evidence that the arbitrator had gone wrong in his
construction

- On the ‘std terms test’

- As noted by CJ Yong in American Home Assurance, this two-step approach has been
endorsed by the way in which the guidelines have been formulated in subsequent
authorities:

The Kerman [1982] 1 WLR 166

- Parker J phrased the guideline in the following words: ‘... even if the decision on the
question of construction in the circumstances of the particular case would add
significantly to the clarity and certainty of English commercial law, leave should not
be given unless the judge considers that a strong prima facie case that the arbitrator
was wrong has been made out.’ [this is the std terms test]
- Aden Refinery v Ugland Mgt [1987] QB 650
- Sir John Donaldson MR expressed his understanding of the guideline in the following
terms (at p 659 of the report): ‘In the case of standard terms ... [judges] are advised to
apply rather less strict criteria, taking account of whether or not a decision on the
question or questions of law would add significantly to the clarity and certainty of
English commercial law. But even then the advice is that leave to appeal should be
refused, unless the judge considers that a strong prima facie case has been made out
that the arbitrator has been wrong in his construction.

- On the one-off contract test

Aden Refinery Co Ltd v Ugland Management Co Ltd [1987] QB 650 at p 659

- Sir John Donaldson MR indicated that under ‘The Nema guidelines in the case of a
"one-off" contractual clause, judges are advised to refuse leave to appeal if they
consider that the arbitrator might have been right`.
- And in The Antaios Lord Diplock rephrased the test: `whether the arbitrator was in
the judge`s view so obviously wrong as to preclude the possibility that he might be
right`.

American Home Assurance v Hong Lam Marine

- This was an appeal against the dismissal of the appellants` application for leave to
appeal against the award of the arbitrator made in arbitration proceedings between the
appellants and the respondents.
- The appellants, who were insurers and underwriters who were the issuers of
performance bonds on behalf of a shipyard which had contracted to build a vessel for
the respondent shipowners
- When the shipyard failed to deliver the vessel the respts repossessed the vessel and
called on the performance bonds.
- In the arbitration btwn the respondents and appellants the arbitrator held that the
shipowners were entitled to recover the amount expended in completing the vessel.
- ca held:
- The guidelines to be applied in the exercise of judicial discretion to grant
leave to appeal against an arbitral award have been laid down in The
Nema and The Antaios. [see above for CJ’s summary of the guidelines]
- These guidelines gave effect to the policy of the legislature to accord
greater recognition to the finality of awards in matters of legal
determination.

On one-off and standard contracts: characterisation

- The essence of a `one-off` contract is that it is

- one negotiated, drafted and agreed to de novo to accommodate the
personal positions of the parties in the circumstance of the particular
transaction they have entered into.
- It has no wider application beyond the particular parties and their
respective positions.
- raises an issue of concern which is confined to the particular contracting parties and
`in which the general market and commercial fraternity has no interest`. It is a
`question of a singular character unlikely to recur`
- But the facts of and the speeches in The Nema also illustrate that to fall within the
category of `one-off` contracts a contract need not be wholly novel and original in its
conception, design and drafting. A contract may be `one-off` notwithstanding that its
basis is a standard form contract, if it has received substantial amendments and/or
additions to meet the particular needs and expectations of the parties.
- On the other hand, it is equally clear that it is not every amendment, addition or
deletion that is capable of converting a standard form contract into a `one-off`
contract.
- It is ultimately a question of degree, and where the line is to be drawn may on
occasions give rise to difficult questions. Nor will it necessarily be the case that a
contract will be incapable of being characterised as `one-off` by virtue of the fact that
it incorporates what may be described as some standard contractual terms. Although
again in each case it will be a question of degree, the mere existence of some standard
clauses will not result in what is primarily a `one-off` contract losing its dominant
identity.
- The same difficulties arise when defining a `standard form` contract or clause. The
traditional understanding of a standard form contract is that of a pre-prepared
contract, invariably in printed form, which the parties adopt either directly by signing
(whether in person or through agents) or indirectly by incorporation by reference or
some other mode of adoption: Thomas at para 5.2.4.13. As in the case of a `one-off`
contract, it is equally possible for
- a printed standard form contract or term to change its characterisation to a `one-off`
contract or term by virtue of its amendment by the parties. It will in each case be a
question of degree whether a particular amendment or cluster of amendments effect a
change in characterisation of the contract as a whole or any contractual term.
 Contrariwise it would appear possible for standard terms incorporated into a `one-off`
contract to retain their character as standard contractual terms provided they are
capable of existing independently and their construction is not coloured by the new
contractual environment: Thomas at para 5.2.4.15
- But the crux of the `standard` concept is that `the potential interest extends beyond
the immediate contracting parties to the community at large or to a determinable
section of the community`.
- In the instant case, the main question of law in issue - the scope and effect of the
bonds issued by the appellants in favour of the respondents - had to be characterised
as `one-off` rather than standard.
- The resolution of this question depended entirely on the true nature of the bonds
which, it was trite law, was entirely a question of construction. In turn, the question of
construction involved taking into account not only the words used by the parties to
express their mutual obligations, but also the factual matrix or surrounding
circumstances, and when all this was considered, it led to the conclusion that the
question of law was `one-off` and not standard in character, for two reasons.
- First, the evidence showed that the relevant portions of the bonds were tailored to
meet the parties` respective positions - the epitome of a `one-off` case; and
- Second, the decision on the question of construction one way or the other would
merely be another factual illustration of well-established principles and would be
incapable of adding anything to the existing jurisprudence.
- The appellants therefore had to satisfy the court to the degree of an `obvious`, ie
readily demonstrable error - that the award of the arbitrator was bad in law.
- In any event, if this was incorrect, they would not have succeeded in satisfying even
the less stringent criteria of a `strong prima facie case` of error

On what is ‘obviously wrong’ in a one-off contract

- In the final analysis, the important question is whether an error can be demonstrated
quickly and easily; if hours of legal argument are required, the applicant will not have
succeeded in satisfying the court that the award is `obviously wrong`.

On what is ‘strong prima facie case’ that was wrong in a std term contract
- In contrast, the courts will be more ready to entertain a question of law relating to the
construction of a standard form contract or clause than is the case with a `one-off`
contract or clause, notwithstanding the initial reference to arbitration. A less guarded
approach is adopted; and the courts are more willing to substitute their own
determination for that of the arbitrator.
- If the judge is satisfied that the arbitrator is right or is probably right or there is at the
very least a strong prima facie case that the arbitrator is right, then normally leave
ought to be refused (see, eg Aden Refinery (supra), notwithstanding that an appeal
might contribute beneficially to the development of the law.
- The test is clearly less strict than that applicable to the category of `one-off` contracts
and clauses, but otherwise raises difficulties as to its precise meaning.
- However some factors pointing towards the presumption in favour of finality:
- If the parties selected as an arbitrator an experienced lawyer of many year’s standing
- and in so far as the dispute centred on a question of construction of the contract and
other related issues of law, must be assumed to have had good reason for relying on
the arbitrator`s legal expertise.

On policy grounds:
- Finality as the intention of the Legislature
- Comments on American Home Assurance:
- Although this case decides whether leave to appeal should be granted under the old
repealed AA and not our new AA, it is still very relevant as it makes reference the
Nema/Antaios guidelines which are clearly relevant under our new AA. [see above.]

On std/one-off contracts: characterisation of the contract

- In the case we were dealing with performance bonds – which cld be construed as a std
contract. However, because of the special circumstances of the case, the bonds were
construed as one-off contracts.
- Thus it appears that the characterisation of a contract may not be so straightforward.
- The factual matrix of each case has to be carefully considered before one can
characterise the contract.

On ‘obviously wrong’
- Does this refer to obviously wrong on the facts or on the law?
- Seems like referring to the decision of law, as based on the findings of facts, is
obviously wrong.
- The requirement of ‘obviously wrong’ is necessary because of the principle of
finality, parliamentary intention, and the fact that the parties had themselves agreed to
go for arbitration and thus should be bound by the arbitral decisions.
- I.e. it must be more than debatable, it must be clear.
- I think that what will be considered ‘obviously wrong’ cannot just be an issue of law,
but there must be some policy decisions involved.

Finality
- Do not want long arguments: inefficient. Singapore hates inefficiency.
- Commercial reasons for wanting Singapore to be commercial international arbitration
hub.

On substantially affecting the parties’ rights

- If the claim was for 10k and you lost because of a question of law or interpretation,
have your rights been substantially affected?
- What if it was for $1?
- What if is was for $1 for a very fundamental question of law?
- Probably still cannot appeal
- What if lost 1m? Then to me would be a lot. But what if it was Bill Gates? What if
was poor contractor?
- Thus whether a parties rights were substantially affected would depend on the facts of
the case
- However, some guideline to consider would be that if want to appeal to CA, would
need to obtain leave if the amount claimed falls below $250k.

The Nema
 Here the case concerned whether continued strikes by stevedores had the effect of
frustrating a charterparty.
 Lord Diplock:
- As Lord Denning M.R. summarised it in dealing with the question of frustration in
the instant case: to justify interference with the arbitrator's award it must be shown (i)
that the arbitrator misdirected himself in law or (ii) that the decision was such that no
reasonable arbitrator could reach.
- Parliament's intention to promote greater finality in arbitral awards than was being
achieved under the previous procedure as it was applied in practice is evidenced by
the removal for judicial review for an error on the face of the record, and the need for
leave to appeal except where all parties consent.
- Where, as in the instant case, a question of law involved is the construction of a "one-
off" clause, leave should not normally be given:
- Unless it is apparent to the judge upon a mere perusal of the reasoned award itself
without the benefit of adversarial argument, that the meaning ascribed to the
clause by the arbitrator is obviously wrong.
- But if on such perusal it appears to the judge that it is possible that argument
might persuade him, despite first impression to the contrary, that the arbitrator
might be right, he should not grant leave; the parties should be left to accept, for
better or for worse, the decision of the tribunal that they had chosen to decide the
matter in the first instance.
- Rather less strict criteria are in my view appropriate where questions of construction
of contracts in standard terms are concerned.
- That there should be a high degree of legal certainty as to how such terms apply
upon the occurrence of events of this kind

The Antaios
- Here, in times when mkt prices for hire were rising, the shipowners withdraw their
vessel from the service of the charterers on the grounds that inaccurate B/Ls had been
issued.
- The arbitrator found that the breach by the charterers was non-repudiatory and did not
give the S/O a right of withdrawal.
- Hl held (lord diplock):
- On granting leave to appeal:
 Even in a case which turns on the construction of a standard term, the mere
fact that there are conflicting commercial opinions would not normally in
itself be a reason for departing from the Nema guidelines.
 Applications in such cases should ‘normally be dealt with on the papers
alone.’
 My Lords, to permit any prolonged and therefore costly arguments on
applications for leave to appeal to the High Court would only assist in
frustrating the policy of Parliament.
- On granting leave to appeal from a granting/refusal to grant leave to appeal [our s
49(7) sitn]:
 This brings me to the "(6A) question" canvassed in Staughton J.'s second
judgment of 19 November 1982: when should a judge give leave to appeal
to the Court of Appeal from his own grant or refusal of leave to appeal to
the High Court from an arbitral award?
 I agree with him that leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal should be
granted by the judge under section 1(6A) [Our s 49(7)] only in cases where
a decision whether to grant or to refuse leave to appeal to the High Court
under section 1(3)(b) [our s 49(5)] in the particular case in his view called
for some amplification, elucidation or adaptation to changing practices of
existing guidelines laid down by appellate courts; and that leave to appeal
under section 1(6A) should not be granted in any other type of case.
 Judges should have the courage of their own convictions and decide for
themselves whether, applying existing guidelines, leave to appeal to the
High Court under section 1(3)(b) ought to be granted or not.

 But now the statutory provisions in the new Section 49 replace the Nemas/ Antaios
guidelines. This point was well brought out in the English CA decision of The North
Pioneer [2003] 1 WLR 1015.
 It was emphasized that under Section 69 of the English Act (in pari materia with the
Singapore Section 49), before a Judge could grant permission to appeal, he was
required to find both that the decision of the arbitrators was obviously wrong or was a
point of general public importance and that the said decision was at least open to
serious doubt. Furthermore the Judge was to be satisfied that the question of law
arising out of the award would substantially affect the rights of one or more of the
parties.
 Lord Philips MR also pointed out that the guidelines laid down in The Nema by Lord
Diplock that the arbitrator had to be “wrong in his construction” had been superceded
by Section 69(3)(c)(ii) [Singapore Section 49(5)(c)(ii)] and imposed a test broader
than Lord Diplock’s requirement. Hence, changing circumstances can raise issues of
general public importance with regards to terms or clauses that are not covered by
judicial decision.
 It also follows that in certain arbitrations where there is more than one arbitrator
(there were 3 in the above case), differences in view between them may itself provide
a ground for contending that the decision of the majority is “at least open to serious
doubt”.

 In view of The North Pioneer 2003 1 WLR 1015, the guidelines previously adopted
by the Singapore courts in Invar Realty and American Home Assurance Co. will
have to be carefully studied.

 In northen elevator manufacturing v united engineers 2004 2 SLR 594 – CA had

chance to disting bet qn of law and error of law
- In tt case HC had granted leave to appeal on qn whether arbitrator cld
properly at law have assessed damages in manner he did
 - CA took view tt qn of law must nec be finding of law which parties
dispute and which req guidance of ocurt to resolve
- Merely an errofr of alw when arbitrator deos not apply principle of law
correctly and this does not entitle aggrieved party to appeal

 Liew ter kwang v hurry general contractor 2004 3 SLR 59 – decided under old act
also but may have some relevance wrt reqt of decisions of law applying for leave to
appeal
- 3 qns of law involved in std lump sum building contract and held inter alia
by Judith prakash J tt determoination of qns of law wld have substantial
effect on rights of one or more parties to arbitration
- leave to appeal accordingly given

Other Provisions regarding appeal

The Appeal Procedure
 On application or appeal the court may order the arbitral tribunal to state reasons for
its award where such reasons are absent: s 50(4)(a) or insufficient: s 50(4)(b).

 The Court may also order the applicant to provide security for costs of the appeal: s
50(5), subject to the restrictions in s 50(6).

 The need for quick resolution of the dispute is also reflected in s 52(2) where the
court in hearing an application for leave shall determine the application without a
hearing unless it appears to the court that this is required. This adopts Lord Diplock’s
approach in The Antaios, as the hearing of lengthy arguments would frustrate the
intention of the AA. As noted by Lord Roskill in The Antaios, ‘one purpose of
arbitration, especially in commercial disputes, is the avoidance of delays traditionally
if often unfairly associated with the judicial process. The award of an arbitral tribunal
can, it is supposed, be obtained swiftly and simply and without elaboration.’

Supplementary provisions to appeal under section 49

50. —(1) This section shall apply to an application or appeal under section 49.
(2) An application or appeal may not be brought if the applicant or appellant has
not first exhausted —
(a) any available arbitral process of appeal or review; and
(b) any available recourse under section 43 (correction or interpretation of award and
additional award).
(3) Any application or appeal shall be brought within 28 days of the date of the award
or, if there has been any arbitral process of appeal or review, of the date when the
applicant or appellant was notified of the result of that process.
(4) If on an application or appeal it appears to the Court that the award —
(a) does not contain the arbitral tribunal’s reasons; or
(b) does not set out the arbitral tribunal’s reasons in sufficient detail to enable the
Court to properly consider the application or appeal,
the Court may order the arbitral tribunal to state the reasons for its award in
sufficient detail for that purpose.
(5) Where the Court makes an order under subsection (4), it may make such further
order as it thinks fit with respect to any additional costs of the arbitration resulting from
its order.
(6) The Court may order the applicant or appellant to provide security for the costs
of the application or appeal, and may direct that the application or appeal be dismissed if
the order is not complied with.
(7) The power to order security for costs shall not be exercised by reason only that the
applicant or appellant is —
(a) an individual ordinarily resident outside Singapore; or
(b) a corporation or association incorporated or formed under the law of a country outside
Singapore or whose central management and control is exercised outside Singapore.
(8) The Court may order that any money payable under the award shall be
brought into Court or otherwise secured pending the determination of the application or
appeal, and may direct that the application or appeal be dismissed if the order is not
complied with.
(9) The Court may grant leave to appeal subject to conditions to the same or similar
effect as an order under subsection (6) or (8) and this shall not affect the general
discretion of the Court to grant leave subject to conditions.

Effect of order of court on appeal

 Where the court varies the award, the variation shall have effect as part of he arbitral
tribunal’s award: s 51(2).
 Where the award is remitted, the tribunal shall make a fresh award within 3 months,
or as the court may otherwise direct: s 51(3)
 In many old contracts and in particular insurance policies, arbitration clauses require a
party to first obtain an arbitral award as a condition precedent to commencement of
Court proceedings – Such clauses are known as Scott v Avery clauses, and in such an
instance a party would have no recourse but to recommence arbitration to get another
award.
 S 51(4) thus gives the court discretionary power to override the effect of such a clause
over the subject matter covered in the award which has been set aside or declared to
be of no effect.

Effect of order of Court upon appeal against award

51. —(1) Where the Court makes an order under section 49 with respect to an award,
subsections (2), (3) and (4) shall apply.
(2) Where the award is varied by the Court, the variation shall have effect as part of the
arbitral tribunal’s award.
(3) Where the award is remitted to the arbitral tribunal, in whole or in part, for
reconsideration, the tribunal shall make a fresh award in respect of the matters remitted
within 3 months of the date of the order for remission or such longer or shorter period as
the Court may direct.
(4) Where the award is set aside or declared to be of no effect, in whole or in part, the
Court may also order that any provision that an award is a condition precedent to the
bringing of legal proceedings in respect of a matter to which the arbitration agreement
applies, shall be of no effect as regards the subject-matter of the award or, as the case
may be, the relevant part of the award.

Application for leave of Court, etc.

52. —(1) An application for the leave of the Court to appeal or an application referred to
in section 21 (10), 36 (6) or 49 (3) (b) or (7) shall be made in such manner as may be
prescribed in the Rules of Court.
(2) The Court shall determine an application for leave to appeal without a hearing
unless it appears to the Court that a hearing is required.
(3) For the purposes of this section —
(a) an application for leave of the Court may be heard and determined by a Judge in
Chambers; and
(b) the Court of Appeal shall have the like powers and jurisdiction on the hearing of
such applications as the High Court or any Judge in Chambers has on the hearing
of such applications.

Some miscellaneous provisions

Notice and other requirements in connection with legal proceedings

53. —(1) References in this Act to an application, appeal or other step in relation to
legal proceedings being taken upon notice to the other parties to the arbitration
proceedings, or to the arbitral tribunal, are references to such notice of the originating
process as is required by the Rules of Court.

(2) Subject to any provision made by Rules of Court, a requirement to give notice to
the arbitral tribunal of legal proceedings shall be construed —
(a) if there is more than one arbitrator, as a requirement to give notice to each of them;
and
(b) if the arbitral tribunal is not fully constituted, as a requirement to give notice to any
arbitrator who has been appointed.

(3) References in this Act to making an application or appeal to the Court within a
specified period are references to the issue within that period of the appropriate
originating process in accordance with the Rules of Court.

(4) Where any provision of this Act requires an application or appeal to be made to the
Court within a specified time, the Rules of Court relating to the reckoning of periods,
the extending or abridging of periods, and the consequences of not taking a step within
the period prescribed by the Rules, shall apply in relation to that requirement.

(5) Provision may be made by Rules of Court amending the provisions of this Act —
(a) with respect to the time within which any application or appeal to the Court must be
made;
(b) so as to keep any provision made by this Act in relation to arbitral proceedings in
step with the corresponding provision of the Rules of Court applying in relation to
proceedings in the Court; or
(c) so as to keep any provision made by this Act in relation to legal proceedings in step
with the corresponding provision of the Rules of Court applying generally in relation to
proceedings in the Court.

(6) Nothing in this section shall affect the generality of the power of the Rules
Committee to make Rules of Court.

Proceedings to be heard otherwise than in open court

56. Proceedings under this Act in any court shall, on the application of any party to
the proceedings, be heard otherwise than in open court.

Restrictions on reporting of proceedings heard otherwise than in open court

57. —(1) This section shall apply to proceedings under this Act in any court heard
otherwise than in open court.
(2) A court hearing any proceedings to which this section applies shall, on the
application of any party to the proceedings, give directions as to whether any and, if so,
what information relating to the proceedings may be published.
(3) A court shall not give a direction under subsection (2) permitting information to be
published unless —
(a) all parties to the proceedings agree that such information may be published; or
(b) the court is satisfied that the information, if published in accordance with such
directions as it may give, would not reveal any matter, including the identity of any
party to the proceedings, that any party to the proceedings reasonably wishes to remain
confidential.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), where a court gives grounds of decision for a
judgment in respect of proceedings to which this section applies and considers that
judgment to be of major legal interest, the court shall direct that reports of the judgment
may be published in law reports and professional publications but, if any party to the
proceedings reasonably wishes to conceal any matter, including the fact that he was
such a party, the court shall —
(a) give directions as to the action that shall be taken to conceal that matter in those
reports; and
(b) if it considers that a report published in accordance with directions given under
paragraph (a) would be likely to reveal that matter, direct that no report shall be
published until after the end of such period, not exceeding 10 years, as it considers
appropriate.

Application to references under statutory powers

58. This Act shall apply in relation to every arbitration under any other written law
(other than the International Arbitration Act (Cap. 143A)), as if the arbitration were
commenced pursuant to an arbitration agreement, except in so far as this Act is
inconsistent with that other written law.

Immunity of arbitral institutions

59. —(1) The appointing authority, or an arbitral or other institution or person
designated or requested by the parties to appoint or nominate an arbitrator, shall not be
liable for anything done or omitted in the discharge or purported discharge of that
function unless the act or omission is shown to have been in bad faith.

(2) The appointing authority, or an arbitral or other institution or person by whom an

arbitrator is appointed or nominated, shall not be liable, by reason only of having
appointed or nominated him, for anything done or omitted by the arbitrator, his
employees or agents in the discharge or purported discharge of his functions as
arbitrator.

(3) This section shall apply to an employee or agent of the appointing authority or of an
arbitral or other institution or person as it applies to the appointing authority, institution
or person himself.

Service of notices
60. —(1) The parties are free to agree on the manner of service of any notice or other
document required or authorised to be given or served in pursuance of the arbitration
agreement or for the purposes of the arbitration proceedings.

(2) If or to the extent that there is no such agreement as is referred to in subsection (1),
subsections (3) and (4) shall apply.

(3) A notice or other document may be served on a person by any effective means.

(4) If a notice or other document is addressed, prepaid and delivered by post —

(a) to the addressee’s usual or last known place of residence or, if he is or has been
carrying on a trade, profession or business, his usual or last known place of business; or
(b) if the addressee is a body corporate, to the body corporate’s registered office,
it shall be treated as effectively served.

(5) This section shall not apply to the service of documents for the purposes of legal
proceedings, for which provision is made by Rules of Court.

(6) References in this Part to a notice or other document include any form of
communication in writing and references to giving or serving a notice or other
document shall be construed accordingly.

Reckoning periods of time

61. —(1) The parties may agree on the method of reckoning periods of time for the
purposes of —
(a) any provision agreed by them; or
(b) any provision of this Act having effect in default of such agreement.
(2) If or to the extent that the parties have not agreed on the method of reckoning
time, periods of time shall be reckoned in accordance with this section.
(3) Where the act is required to be done within a specified period after or from a
specified date, the period shall begin immediately after that date.
 (4) Where an act is required to be done within or not less than a specified period
before a specified date, the period shall end immediately before that date.
(5) Where the act is required to be done, a specified number of clear days after a
specified date, at least that number of days shall intervene between the day on which
the act is done and that date.
(6) Where the period in question being a period of 7 days or less would include a
Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday, that day shall be excluded.

Confidentiality of Arbitration Proceedings

- The case of Myanma Yaung Chi Oo Co Ltd v Win Win Nu and another [2003] 2
SLR 547 brought out several important features with regard to the confidential nature
of arbitration proceedings. In that case, the second defendant had commenced
arbitration proceedings against the Government of Myanmar. The Plaintiffs (a joint
venture between the Government of Myanmar and the first defendant) had filed the
present legal proceedings in Singapore against the first and second defendants. In an
application for striking out, the first defendant had inter alia referred to the arbitration
proceedings and exhibited documents in those arbitration proceedings.
- The main issue before the High Court was whether parties in arbitration proceedings
have a duty to maintain confidentiality of the documents in those proceedings, and
whether leave of court was necessary for disclosure. The learned judge (Kan Ting
Chu J) discussed relevant English and Australian decisions. He preferred the English
approach over the Australian. He agreed that it was more in keeping with the parties’
expectations to take the position that the proceedings are confidential (There was an
implied obligation on a party obtaining documents not to disclose them or use them
for any purpose other than the dispute in which they were obtained), and that
disclosures can be made in accepted circumstances (with the consent of the other
party or by order or leave of the court, where it was reasonably necessary or where it
was in the interests of justice).
- The learned judge also held that there was no need to obtain the leave of the court
before making the disclosure. However, after disclosure is made, the party which
argues that it was not reasonably necessary to disclose (the “reasonably necessary”
exception) can apply to expunge the disclosure and the court will then decide whether
it was reasonably necessary to disclose.
- It was held that the time of application, the disclosure of the arbitration pleadings and
documents were reasonably necessary as it was required to support the defendant’s
case that the plaintiff’s suit was vexatious and an abuse of court.
- However, by the time of the appeal, the arbitration tribunal had held that it had no
jurisdiction to hear the matter thereby ending the arbitration proceedings. Hence it
was no longer reasonably necessary for any disclosure to be made.

Mediation and Arbitration

 mediation increasingly popular and SMC under academy of law in addition to sg

international arbitration center
 note tt apptment of mediator as arbitrator is regarded as proper if agreement so
proides; in practice such apptmnent may not vbe desirable since person concerned is
acting as mediator and cld have heard each party alone and listened to their one sided
stories; cld be persuaded by any one side

Appointment of mediator
62. —(1) In any case where an agreement provides for the appointment of a
mediator by a person who is not one of the parties and that person refuses to make the
appointment or does not make the appointment within the time specified in the
agreement or, if no time is so specified, within a reasonable time of being requested by
any party to the agreement to make the appointment, the Chairman of the Singapore
Mediation Centre may, on the application of any party to the agreement, appoint
a mediator who shall have the like powers to act in the mediation proceedings as if he
had been appointed in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
(2) The Chief Justice may, if he thinks fit, by notification published in the
Gazette, appoint any other person to exercise the powers of the Chairman of the
Singapore Mediation Centre under subsection (1).
(3) Where an arbitration agreement provides for the appointment of a mediator
and further provides that the person so appointed shall act as an arbitrator in the
event of the mediation proceedings failing to produce a settlement acceptable to
the parties —
(a) no objection shall be taken to the appointment of such person as an arbitrator,
or to his conduct of the arbitral proceedings, solely on the ground that he had
acted previously as a mediator in connection with some or all of the matters
referred to arbitration; and
(b) if such person declines to act as an arbitrator, any other person appointed as an
arbitrator shall not be required first to act as a mediator unless a contrary intention
appears in the arbitration agreement.
(4) Unless a contrary intention appears therein, an agreement which provides for the
appointment of a mediator shall be deemed to contain a provision that in the event of
the mediation proceedings failing to produce a settlement acceptable to the parties
within 4 months, or such longer period as the parties may agree to, of the date of the
appointment of the mediator or, where he is appointed by name in the agreement, of the
receipt by him of written notification of the existence of a dispute, the mediation
proceedings shall thereupon terminate.

Power of arbitrator to act as mediator

63. —(1) If all parties to any arbitral proceedings consent in writing and for so
long as no party has withdrawn his consent in writing, an arbitrator may act as a
mediator.

(2) An arbitrator acting as a mediator —

(a) may communicate with the parties to the arbitral proceedings collectively or
separately; and
(b) shall treat information obtained by him from a party to the arbitration proceedings
as confidential, unless that party otherwise agrees or unless subsection (3) applies.
(3) Where confidential information is obtained by an arbitrator from a party to the
arbitration proceedings during mediation proceedings and those proceedings terminate
without the parties reaching agreement in settlement of their dispute, the arbitrator shall
before resuming the arbitration proceedings disclose to all other parties to the
arbitration proceedings as much of that information as he considers material to the
arbitration proceedings.

(4) No objection shall be taken to the conduct of arbitration proceedings by a person

solely on the ground that that person had acted previously as a mediator in accordance
with this section.

(5) For the purposes of this section and section 62 —

(a) any reference to a mediator shall include a reference to any person who acts as a
conciliator;
(b) any reference to mediation proceedings shall include a reference to conciliation
proceedings.

Act binds Government

Act to bind Government

64. This Act shall bind the Government.

Transitional Provisions

Transitional provisions
65. —(1) This Act shall apply to arbitration proceedings commenced on or after 1st
March 2002 but the parties may in writing agree that this Act shall apply to arbitration
proceedings commenced before that date.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Arbitration Act (Cap. 10, 1985 Ed.), where the
arbitration proceedings were commenced before 1st March 2002, the law governing the
arbitration agreement and the arbitration shall be the law which would have applied if
this Act had not been enacted.
(3) Where an arbitration agreement made or entered into before 1st March 2002
provides for the appointment of an umpire or an arbitral tribunal comprising 2
arbitrators, the law to the extent that it governs the appointment, role and function of
the umpire shall be the law which would have applied if this Act had not been enacted.
(4) For the purposes of this section, arbitration proceedings are to be taken as having
commenced on the date of the receipt by the respondent of a request for the dispute to
be referred to arbitration, or, where the parties have agreed in writing that any other
date is to be taken as the date of commencement of the arbitration proceedings, then on
that date.