Way being paved for commercial court next year

Singapore

SINGAPORE is a step closer to establishing itself as the world's third neutral jurisdiction in the world, with the impending setting up of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) early next year. To pave the way for this, the Law Ministry on Tuesday submitted in Parliament two Bills - the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill and the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill.

The proposed amendments establish SICC as a division of the High Court. It will comprise a diverse panel of judges, including eminent international jurists and existing Supreme Court Judges. Foreign-qualified lawyers will be allowed to represent parties in court, as long as the cases have no substantial links to Singapore. Court proceedings at SICC w…