SICC Finds, on Novel Issue, that Arbitral Tribunal’s Unilateral Correction to Award Did Not Enlarge Three-month Timeframe to Set Aside Award

19 Dec 2023 CaseWatch

In DBX and another v DBZ [2023] SGHC(I) 18, the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) held that a party who wishes to set aside a Singapore arbitral award must file its application within three months from the date of receipt of the award (Three-month Time Bar) notwithstanding that the arbitral tribunal had issued corrections to the award on its own initiative; the Three-month Time Bar is not extended in situations of unilaterally corrected awards (c.f. where corrections are issued pursuant to a party’s request).

The SICC thus declined to set aside two awards on the basis that the application, which was brought within three months from the date of receipt of the tribunal’s corrections but beyond three months from the date of receipt of the award, was time-barred.

Our Partner Monica Chong Wan Yee, Senior Associate Leau Jun Li (Phoebe) and Associates Wong Chun Mun and Foo Hsien Weng acted for the successful respondent before the SICC. The team representing the same successful party in the underlying arbitrations was also led by our Partner Monica Chong Wan Yee.

This update takes a look at the SICC’s decision.

If you would like information and/or assistance on the above or any other area of law, you may wish to contact the Partner at WongPartnership whom you normally work with or the following Partner:

Monica CHONG Wan Yee
Partner – Commercial & Corporate Disputes
d +65 6517 3748
e monicawy.chong@wongpartnership.com
Click here to view Monica’s CV.