SIAC announces launch of Restructuring and Insolvency Arbitration Protocol and Institute of Ethics in International Arbitration

29 September 2025

On 26 August 2025, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) launched the SIAC Restructuring and Insolvency Arbitration Protocol (“SIAC RIA Protocol”), a specialised mechanism to address disputes arising during, or in anticipation of, insolvency proceedings. SIAC will also be launching an Institute of Ethics in International Arbitration (“IEIA”) for training, research, and engagement in ethics in arbitration.

SIAC RIA Protocol

The SIAC RIA Protocol is a first for an international arbitration institution in introducing a specially designed mechanism for the resolution of restructuring and insolvency-related disputes. The SIAC RIA Protocol, which came into force on 26 August 2025, applies through party agreement and adapts the SIAC Rules with modifications to be time efficient. These modifications include the following:

  • Truncation of timelines: Certain timelines in the existing SIAC Rules have been modified and truncated in the SIAC RIA Protocol, including timelines for the filing of the response to the notice of arbitration, for party nominations of arbitrators, for dealing with a challenge to an arbitrator, for the submission of the draft award for scrutiny, and for the making of the final award.
  • Alignment with restructuring and insolvency context: Tribunals are specifically prompted to consider, at an early case management conference, questions of joinder of any third parties, potential jurisdictional challenges, the potential for mediation and settlement, and the need to report to a court or other adjudicative body on the commencement and status of the arbitration or the disclosure of any decision, ruling, order, or award of the tribunal to any third party or in any related insolvency proceedings.
  • Default seat and governing law: Unless the parties agree otherwise or the tribunal determines otherwise, Singapore shall be the seat of the arbitration, and Singapore law shall govern the agreement of the parties to submit disputes to arbitration under the SIAC RIA Protocol.
  • Simplified procedure: A sole arbitrator shall be appointed unless the Registrar determines, upon considering any proposals by the parties, the complexity, the quantum involved, or other relevant circumstances of the dispute, that three arbitrators ought to be appointed.

The SIAC RIA Protocol was developed by SIAC in close consultation with judges from Singapore and overseas, insolvency and arbitration experts and practitioners, the Court of Arbitration of SIAC, and based on feedback received during a public consultation exercise from December 2024 to January 2025.

The SIAC RIA Protocol is complemented with:

  • the SIAC Specialist Panel for Restructuring and Insolvency Disputes, a published list of specialist arbitrators with experience and expertise with restructuring and insolvency related disputes;
  • a Guidance Note for Parties and Tribunals on Arbitrations Under the SIAC RIA Protocol to provide practical guidance on the applicability and use of the SIAC RIA Protocol; and
  • model clauses for use by parties wishing to submit disputes to arbitration under the SIAC RIA Protocol.

Allen & Gledhill Partners Chong Yee Leong and Andrew Chan are members of the SIAC Specialist Panel for Restructuring and Insolvency Disputes.

Institute of Ethics in International Arbitration

SIAC is establishing the IEIA to underscore its commitment to preserving the values of fairness and integrity in international arbitration. The IEIA will drive cutting-edge research, deliver targeted and specialised research and training programmes, and spearhead expert-led initiatives aimed at setting, codifying, and advancing best practices on ethics for both arbitrators and international arbitration counsel.

Reference materials

The following materials are available on the SIAC website www.siac.org.sg: