YSIAC Inaugural Conference Held in Singapore

Planet Depos on Hand as Event Sponsor and Realtime Provider

By Tom Feissner

On June 4, 2015, over 200 young attorneys from 17 jurisdictions around the globe converged upon the Maxwell Chambers Alternative Dispute Resolution Center in Singapore to participate in the re-launching of the young lawyers division of the Singapore International Arbitration Center (YSIAC).  In his welcoming address, SIAC Chairman Lucien Wong stated that the purpose of YSIAC is twofold:  First, to promote the use of arbitration as a means of resolving regional and international disputes, and second, to provide a cross-cultural platform for young professionals to network.  Mr. Wong went on to say that in order to further these twin purposes, YSIAC has created a mentoring program as a way of building relationships between young attorneys and established practitioners.  He also explained that this “hands-on” approach to arbitration is intended as a way for aspiring arbitrators to familiarize themselves with SIAC arbitration rules and procedures.

In order to familiarize the attendees with the more practical aspects of conducting an arbitration, Planet Depos sent International Court Reporter Lisa V. Feissner, RDR, CRR, CRI to the conference to demonstrate the power of realtime court reporting when applied to international arbitrations.  As part of the demonstration, Mrs. Feissner provided realtime transcription of the remarks of the event’s guest of honor, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Education, Ms. Indranee Rajah, and the Q&A session that followed her remarks.

Minister Rajah began her address by describing how the legal landscape in Singapore has evolved since she was admitted to the bar.  As an example, she cited how arbitration, once considered a threat to the authority of the Singaporean judiciary, has now “taken off in a big way.”  Minister Rajah attributed this change to Asia’s tremendous economic growth and the need to resolve the commercial disputes that arise as a result.  She also attributed the expansion of Singapore’s legal services sector to legislative changes made in response to Ministry initiatives, such as allowing foreign lawyers to practice within the jurisdiction.  Minister Rajah credited these changes in attitude and practice as the reason why Singapore has risen to prominence as a hub of international arbitration.

Minister Rajah then called on the members of the audience to “capitalize” on this trend by building on the Ministry’s accomplishments.  She urged young attorneys to expand the scope of Singapore as an international dispute resolution center by utilizing not only the courts and the SIAC to their fullest advantage, but all of the resources that Singapore provides and intends to provide, such as the newly-created Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and the soon-to-be-established Singapore International Mediation Center (SIMC).

In conclusion, Minister Rajah reiterated her belief that “Asia is where the growth is,” and reaffirmed the Ministry of Law’s commitment to providing a comprehensive “suite of commercial dispute resolution options in Singapore” in order that the nation’s young lawyers be afforded every opportunity to “grow and develop as young arbitration practitioners.”

Afterward, Gary Born, President of the SIAC Court of Arbitration, joined Minister Rajah on stage for a question-and-answer session about the future of alternative dispute resolution in Singapore.  Joining them in the discussion were YSIAC Committee Co-Chairs Ankit Goyal of Allen & Gledhill and Koh Swee Yen of WongPartnership, LLP.  The remainder of the conference was then set aside for breakout discussions and networking groups among the participants, as well as panel discussions on such topics as advocacy techniques for arbitration and pointers and pitfalls for younger arbitration practitioners.

For more information about SIAC, please visit their website at http://www.siac.org.sg.  To schedule a court reporter for an arbitration in Singapore, please call us toll free at (888) 433-3767 or contact us via email at international@planetdepos.com.