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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 and 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a list of frequently asked questions on the LSAS, please click here.

Contact Us

For queries on the LSAS, please e-mail adr@lawsoc.org.sg.