SIAC Session for FICL Leadership and Members: Deepening Knowledge on International Arbitration
On September 7, 2024, at The Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) hosted an engaging and insightful international arbitration training program—SIAC Session for FICL Leadership and Members.
This training event was organized by Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) for Federation of Indian Corporate Lawyers (FICL), offering its members an exclusive opportunity to enhance their understanding of international arbitration frameworks.
The training program was held in conjunction with the SIAC Annual India Conferences 2024 - Delhi, which received support from FICL.
The session was spearheaded by two distinguished experts in the field—Vivekananda N., Deputy Registrar at SIAC, and Shivam Patanjali, Deputy Counsel at SIAC—both of whom brought a wealth of experience to the table. The focused discussions revolved around two critical topics that are of paramount importance to legal professionals dealing with cross-border disputes:
1. “Navigating Pathological Clauses” – Presented by Vivekananda N., this session delved into the intricacies of identifying and avoiding “pathological clauses”—flawed arbitration clauses that can lead to ambiguities, delays, and costly disputes. Vivekananda meticulously explained common pitfalls in drafting arbitration clauses, using real-world examples to illustrate how such clauses can derail the arbitration process. He emphasized the importance of precision in drafting, outlining best practices to ensure that clauses are enforceable and effective in facilitating smooth arbitration proceedings.
2. “Appointment of Arbitrators at SIAC and Drafting of Awards” – Shivam Patanjali led the second session, providing a comprehensive guide to the procedural aspects of arbitrator appointments under SIAC rules. He walked the attendees through the SIAC’s robust arbitrator appointment process, shedding light on the criteria and considerations that ensure impartiality and competence in arbitrator selection. In addition, Shivam provided key insights into the drafting of arbitral awards, highlighting the need for clarity, completeness, and adherence to both the substantive and procedural legal frameworks.
These sessions offered invaluable takeaways for participants, equipping them with practical knowledge and strategies to navigate complex arbitration disputes more effectively. Leaders and members of FICL—ranging from senior corporate legal professionals to general counsels—actively engaged in discussions, asking nuanced questions and sharing their own arbitration experiences. The interactive nature of the session fostered a collaborative learning environment, where participants could directly apply the insights gained to real-world scenarios.
The event not only enhanced the participants’ understanding of critical arbitration issues but also reinforced the importance of international arbitration as a key mechanism for resolving cross-border disputes in the corporate world. The SIAC experts provided actionable guidance, making the session a resounding success for those in attendance, who left with a clearer understanding of how to effectively manage arbitration clauses, appointments, and awards.
The said training program reflects FICL’s ongoing commitment to providing its members with access to world-class expertise and resources, fostering a strong legal community that is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of international corporate law.
On 26 November 2022, SIAC and FICL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), under which both organizations will collaborate to host in-person, hybrid, and virtual conferences, seminars, and workshops on international arbitration in India and Singapore, inviting key members from their respective arbitration communities to participate in major events organized by SIAC in India and FICL in Singapore.
