From 1st January 2022, arbitrations commenced under the rules of the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) are subject to new rules, explains Fiona Cain, Counsel at global law firm Haynes Boone.
The 4th edition of the rules was issued by the SCMA to ensure that their arbitrations remain relevant and attractive for parties and also to reinforce cost efficiency for maritime and international trade arbitrations.
Similar to the changes to other arbitration rules in the past 18 months, the SCMA rules have been updated to allow for service of documents by email, and for tribunals to sign awards electronically and/or in counterparts, unless otherwise agreed.
SCMA have also revised the procedure for the appointment of arbitrators. SCMA arbitrations may now proceed following the appointment of two arbitrators until the two arbitrators cannot agree on any matter relating to the arbitration, or until just before the oral evidential hearing, when a third arbitrator should be appointed.
In addition, the appointment of a third arbitrator is no longer necessary if the case proceeds on documents only and the arbitrators agree, while parties may no longer change their legal representatives after constitution of the Tribunal, without its approval.
Excerpted from Ship Management International. To read the full article, click here.
