Law Society Arbitration Scheme
What is Arbitration?
Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution method that aims to provide parties a process and forum for the speedy resolution of disputes. Quick resolution of disputes will save costs compared to the possibility of long drawn out litigation.
The Law Society of Singapore administers the Law Society Arbitration Scheme (‘LSAS’). The scheme’s primary purpose is to help parties come to a resolution. The process save time and costs for parties.
Features of the LSAS
- The LSAS can be applied to all kinds of civil disputes, although the streamlined procedure is designed to expedite resolution of less complex claims.
- Besides general commercial disputes, the LSAS can be used to arbitrate disputes in the areas of employment, tenancy, renovation works, media, entertainment and travel amongst others.
- Parties are free to agree on their own arbitrators and thereby maintain party autonomy.
- In an arbitration with a substantive hearing, the arbitrator shall publish his final award expeditiously and as far as practicable no later than 120 days from the commencement of arbitration (subject to adjustments by the arbitrator).
- In a ‘documents-only’ arbitration, the arbitrator shall publish his final award expeditiously and as far as practicable no later than 90 days from the commencement of arbitration (subject to adjustments by the arbitrator).
- For matters where the sum in dispute is not more than $60,000:
- Arbitrations are, by default, conducted on a ‘documents only’ basis, unless parties opt for a hearing.
The LSAS Panel of Arbitrators
Parties under the LSAS can choose an arbitrator from the LSAS Panel of Arbitrators (‘Panel’). All arbitrators from the Panel are experienced lawyers who have satisfied the minimum criteria of arbitrator accreditation and arbitration experience set by the Law Society of Singapore.
The list of Panel members can be viewed here.
Fees
An arbitrator’s fees under the LSAS is fixed according to a scale prescribed by the Law Society.
Click here for a copy of the current LSAS Scale Fees.
Apply for Arbitration
Frequently Asked Questions
For a list of frequently asked questions on the LSMS, please click here.
Contact Us
For queries on the LSAS, please e-mail adr@lawsoc.org.sg.
Apply for Arbitration
To commence arbitration under the Law Society Arbitration Scheme (LSAS), the party initiating arbitration proceedings shall deliver to the other party a Notice of Arbitration stating their intention to commence arbitration proceedings under the LSAS Rules.
A copy of the Notice of Arbitration shall be delivered at the same time to The Law Society of Singapore via adr@lawsoc.org.sg.
The Notice of Arbitration shall include:
- The names and mailing addresses of the parties to the dispute;
- A short statement that parties are in dispute over a matter which is to be identified in brief terms;
- Reference to the agreement by which the dispute is to be arbitrated under these LSAS Rules;
- The names and professional details of 3 individuals nominated by the claimant as candidates for the role of single arbitrator of the dispute;
- A copy of the arbitration agreement; and
- A comprehensive Statement of Case signed by or on behalf of the claimant.
The copy of the Notice of Arbitration delivered to The Law Society shall be accompanied by a cheque drawn in favour of ‘The Law Society of Singapore’ in such sum as may from time to time be prescribed by The Law Society as the fee for commencing arbitration under these LSAS Rules.
To download the Notice of Arbitration, please click here.
Law Society Arbitration Scheme Resources
Find and download important forms and resources:
Fee Schedule
Find out about the relevant fees
Notice of Arbitration
Download the Notice of Arbitration
LSAS Handbook
Find out an overview of the LSAS including the LSAS Rules
LSAS FAQs
Find out frequently asked questions about the LSAS
Law Society Arbitration Scheme Panel
To find out about our qualifying requirements for the Law Society Arbitration Scheme Panel click here.
Arbitrators
Mr Allen Choong Kean Hin
Allen & Gledhill LLP
Mr Andrew Chan Chee Yin
Allen & Gledhill LLP
Mr Arul Andre Ravindran Saravanapavan
Arul Chew & Partners
Mr Aziz Tayabali Samiwalla
Aziz Tayabali & Associates
Ms Bhargavan Sujatha
Gavan Law Practice LLC
Mr Chan Kia Pheng
LVM Law Chambers LLC
Mr Chia Chor Leong
Breakpoint LLC
Mr Chia Ho Choon
Ho & Wee LLP
Mr Chia Peng Chuang Michael
Chris Chong & CT Ho LLP
Mr Choa Sn-Yien Brendon
Patrick Ong Law LLC
Mr Choo Yu Jin Jonathan
Vantage Chambers LLC
Mr Chooi Yue Wai Kenny
Adsan Law LLC
Mr Colin Seow
Colin Seow Chambers LLC
Mr Edmund Jerome Kronenburg
Braddell Brothers LLP
Ms Fong Lee Cheng, Jennifer
Eldan Law LLP
Mr Francis Xavier, S.C.
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Mr Govindarajalu Asokan
Govind Law Corporation
Mr Henry Heng Gwee Nam
Kennedys Legal Solutions Pte Ltd
Ms Ho Chye Hoon
KEL LLC
Mr Jason Lim Chen Thor
Jason Lim Law Chambers
Mr Joseph Tay Weiwen
Shook Lin & Bok LLP
Mr Krishna Ramakrishna Sharma
Fleet Street Law LLC
Mr Leo Cheng Suan
Infinitus Law Corporation
Mr Loh Kia Meng
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Mr Madan D T Assomull
Assomull & Partners
Mr Mahendra Prasad Rai
Cooma & Rai
Ms Monica Neo Kim Cheng
Chan Neo LLP
Mr Naresh Mahtani
Adelphi Law Chambers LLC
Mr Nicholas Philip Lazarus
Justicius Law Corporation
Mr Pancharatnam Jeya Putra
AsiaLegal LLC
Mr Paul Sandosham
Clifford Chance Pte Ltd
Mr Raymond Chan
Chan Neo LLP
Mr Rengarajoo s/o Rengasamy Balasamy
B Rengarajoo & Associates
Mr Samuel Chacko
Legis Point LLC
Mr Steven John Lam Kuet Keng
Templars Law LLC
Mr Surenthiraraj s/o Saunthararajah
Harry Elias Partnership LLP
Mr Tan Chee Meng, S.C.
WongPartnership LLP
Mr Tan Liam Beng
Elbee Law LLC
Dr Ti Seng Wei Edward
WongPartnership LLP
Mr Tito Shane Isaac
Tito Isaac & Co LLP
Mr Vellayappan Balasubramaniyam
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Mr Yap Teong Liang
T L Yap Law Chambers LLC
Qualifying Requirements for Admission to the Panel of Arbitrators
Members who seek to be admitted to the LSAS Panel of Arbitrators must satisfy the following requirements:
- they have been in practice as an advocate and solicitor (as defined in the Legal Profession Act) for a period of not less than 10 years in aggregate; and
- they must provide undertakings, namely, to act as an arbitrator if appointed by the Society at the scale of fees as determined by the Law Society from time to time and (subject to the relevant consents and undertakings) to permit persons nominated by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee to understudy them to attend the arbitration hearings conducted by them and to provide such instructions as they deem suitable; and
- they must satisfy the following requirements:
- they are a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb) or Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb); or
- they have acted as an arbitrator and written at least two reasoned awards.
