Asia Pacific Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration in Singapore

The world-renowned CIArb Asia Pacific Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration was held in Singapore from 25 May to 2 June 2019. 

The course attracted a record number of 41 candidates from across the region mainly from Australia, China, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, as well as  Singapore.

This year, the course faculty was led by distinguished members, including Francis Xavier SC (CIArb Deputy President 2019) and Caroline Kenny QC (Chartered Arbitrator, CIArb Australia, President) with support from other notable international arbitration experts from across Asia Pacific and around the world - Thayananthan Baskaran (Malaysia), Chou Sean Yu (Singapore), Timothy Cooke (Singapore), Jo Delaney (Singapore), Camilla Godman (United Kingdom, CIArb APAC Director), Glenn Haley (Hong Kong), Brenda Horrigan (Australia), David Huebner (USA), Dr. Michael Hwang SC (Singapore), Rammit Kaur (Malaysia), Edmund Kronenberg (Singapore), Lau Kok Keng (Singapore), Michael Lee (Singapore), Amanda Lees (Singapore), Albert Monichino QC (Australia), Ben Olbourne (Australia), Kent Phillips (Singapore), Vinayak Pradhan (Malaysia), Paul Sandosham (Singapore), Tan Chuan Thye SC (Singapore), Richard Tan (Singapore), Mary Thomson (Hong Kong), Dr. Christopher To (Hong Kong) & Nicholes Turner (Hong Kong).

During the practical 9-day program, participants were taught the practice and procedures of international commercial arbitration, covering major forms of arbitration and arbitration institutions including the ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, AIAC. CIArb’s world-renowned Guidelines in International Arbitration were also looked at. In keeping with the close-knit nature of the Diploma, small group classes were held covering a wide range of topics such, as formation, validity and enforcement of arbitration agreements, and tutors drawing on professional experience guided groups through different case scenarios. Sessions also explored thematic subjects such as investor-state disputes, sports, as well as international maritime arbitration. CIArb is launching a dedicated Maritime Arbitration Diploma soon. The classes provided participants with solid knowledge of the principles of international commercial arbitration to apply in the future.

The Diploma further offered opportunities to meet with experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds and enhance the participants' professional networks. Various social activities were built in too. A welcome reception held at 1 Altitude Sky bar after the first day was followed by a Midweek dinner at Fullerton Hotel Bay Hotel - a fantastic opportunity to take in the exciting sights of the Marina Bay Sands - before the course dinner held at the Aura – National Gallery of Singapore which was addressed by Justice Quentin Loh, Judge of Singapore Supreme Court and Singapore Branch Patron concluded the official part of a memorable experience.

Next year, the Diploma will include more discrete themes, such as construction disputes, energy disputes, international finance disputes and technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) disputes and regional and international perspectives.

To register for expression of interest for the CIArb Asia Pacific Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration 2020, please contact our Business Development Manager for Asia Pacific, Mr. Chalee Nai Kin at cnaikin@ciarb.org