SIAC has firmly established itself as a leading global institution for resolving international disputes. Renowned for its impartiality, efficiency and flexibility, SIAC has experienced steady growth and continues to attract both commercial and individual parties from all corners of the world.
As Singapore strengthens its position as a premier destination for arbitration, SIAC’s expansion in both case filings and geographical reach highlights its increasing influence on the global stage.
Notable Survey Results
The Queen Mary University of London 2025 International Arbitration Survey (the “Survey”) ranked SIAC’s rules in the top two most preferred, globally.
According to the Survey, the SIAC Rules were commended for their innovative approach, responsiveness to user needs and, by some, for ensuring arbitration is confidential by default. The efficiency of the emergency arbitration process was also praised.
Additionally, the 2021 International Arbitration Survey: Adapting Arbitration to a Changing World states that SIAC is ranked second amongst the world’s top five arbitral institutions and is the most preferred institution in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cases Handled by SIAC
SIAC’s caseload mainly revolves around international commercial disputes and in 2024 SIAC continued to experience substantial growth in terms of case filings and geographical reach. SIAC handled 625 new cases, with 91% having an international element.
Cases involved parties from 72 jurisdictions, compared to 66 in 2023, setting a record and highlighting the centre’s global reach, also reflected in the geographical diversity of arbitrators’ appointments, with 43 jurisdictions represented.
Notably, South Korean parties emerged as the largest group of users, while China, India and the USA continued to be among the top contributors to SIAC’s caseload. In addition to its expanding caseload, SIAC has seen a rise in engagement from Russian parties.
SIAC reported a total sum in dispute of USD 11.86 billion in 2024, reflecting the continued trust placed in the institution by global businesses. In the same year, SIAC issued 167 awards, covering a diverse range of sectors including trade, commercial, construction, maritime and corporate law. In 2023, 47% of cases were categorised as ‘trade’, followed by ‘commercial’ (14%) and ‘maritime/shipping’ (13%). SIAC also resolves disputes in a variety of sectors, including banking, insurance, construction, energy, engineering and procurement.
Efficiency and Speed
SIAC’s responsiveness to increasing demands for faster dispute resolution is evident in the significant rise in requests for expedited procedures and early dismissals.
A total of 143 requests for expedited procedures were submitted in 2024, with 66 being approved, compared to 94 requests and 41 approvals in 2023. Similarly, SIAC allowed seven out of 13 early dismissal applications to proceed in 2024, up from three out of nine in the previous year. This surge reflects SIAC’s ongoing commitment to providing efficient arbitral processes.
Emergency arbitration also saw a marked increase, with 21 requests filed in 2024 - the highest since the procedure was introduced in 2010. This increase exemplifies SIAC’s responsiveness to urgent needs and capacity to manage complex, time-sensitive disputes.
Conclusion
SIAC’s continued growth in both caseload and international reach highlights its status as a leading arbitration institution globally. With expanding representation from diverse regions, a growing commitment to efficiency through expedited procedures and an increasing focus on diversity, SIAC is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of global dispute resolution.
As the number of international cases continues to rise, SIAC’s ability to provide efficient, high-quality arbitration services ensures it remains a preferred choice for parties seeking to resolve disputes across borders.
For more detailed statistics, please refer to SIAC’s 2024 Annual Report and 2023 Annual Report.