Singapore-based disputes practice with a strong focus on international arbitration and cross-border commercial disputes, including proceedings under the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC).
Singapore-based Arbitration Counsel for Shareholder and Cross-Border Disputes
Silvester Legal LLC advises clients on international arbitration and cross-border commercial disputes. We regularly advise business owners, shareholders, investors, and corporations on resolving high-value and high-stakes disputes through arbitration seated in Singapore, particularly under the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Rules and before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC).
Our arbitration practice is built around one core principle: efficient, commercially grounded dispute resolution that protects long-term business value.
Types of Disputes We Handle
We act for majority and minority shareholders, founders, investors, and companies in complex arbitration matters, including:
- Buy-out disputes and valuation issues
- Deadlock situations and unfair prejudice claims
- Exit disputes and governance failures
- Reserved matters and breaches of shareholder or joint venture agreements
- Breach of contract and misrepresentation
- Termination disputes and non-performance
- Disputes involving cross-border structures and international operations
- Breach of fiduciary duties
- Misuse of company assets and governance failures
- Earn-out disputes and valuation adjustments
- Completion accounts disputes
Our experience in shareholder-centric disputes allows us to approach arbitration not
merely as a legal process, but as a structured business resolution mechanism.
SIAC and SICC Focus â Shareholder Disputes
Singapore is increasingly the preferred seat for resolving shareholder disputes involving Asian and international businesses. We advise clients on:
- Choosing SIAC arbitration or SICC litigation as the appropriate forum
- Drafting and enforcing arbitration clauses in shareholdersâ agreements
- Strategic use of interim relief, emergency arbitration, and asset preservation
- Parallel court and arbitration strategies where required
We are well-placed to assist international shareholders who prefer a neutral, efficient, and enforceable dispute resolution forum outside their home jurisdiction.
End-to-End Arbitration Services
We provide comprehensive arbitration support at every stage of the dispute:
- Drafting and reviewing arbitration agreements
- Advising on choice of seat, governing law, and arbitral institution
- Risk assessment and dispute avoidance strategy
- Case strategy, pleadings, and evidence management
- Tribunal selection and arbitrator nomination strategy
- Interim relief and emergency arbitration applications
- Managing multi-jurisdictional and virtual hearings
- Advising on recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards
- Coordinating with foreign counsel on enforcement proceedings
- Asset-tracing and enforcement risk analysis
Our approach is pragmatic, focused on timelines, cost control, and enforceability.
International Arbitration and Cross-Border Capability
Silvester Legal routinely advises on disputes involving:
- Multi-jurisdictional corporate structures
- Foreign shareholders and offshore holding companies
- Enforcement across jurisdictions under the New York Convention
Our cross-border capability is particularly relevant for:
- Multi-jurisdiction and Asia-Pacific disputes
- Asian investment and commercial disputes
- International shareholders seeking Singapore as a neutral seat
We work seamlessly with foreign counsel where required, while remaining the central strategic advisor for the client.
Notable Matters and Experience
Our arbitration experience is complemented by strong court advocacy in related proceedings before the Singapore courts.
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Why Clients Choose Silvester Legal
Clients choose us for arbitration because of our:
Focused expertise in shareholder and internal corporate disputes
Singapore-centric arbitration and SICC experience
Commercially driven advice, not just legal analysis
Strong cross-border perspective, particularly for international clients
Partner-led involvement and responsiveness
We understand that arbitration is not only about winning a case, but about protecting businesses, investments, and reputations.
Awards & Recognition
Our arbitration and disputes practice has been recognised by leading legal publications and industry bodies:
Related Information
Gain insight into how complex arbitration cases are managed and resolved through SIAC and SICC.
Speak to Our Team
If you are a shareholder, investor, or business facing a complex dispute, early strategic advice can significantly impact outcomes. Our arbitration team advises clients on forum selection, dispute strategy, and enforcement considerations before and after proceedings commence.
To discuss your arbitration or SICC-related dispute, please contact our disputes team.
Your Legal Team
Meet the lawyers and paralegals supporting your corporate and dispute matters.
Case Studies
Learn how complex disputes are approached and resolved across a range of corporate and commercial scenarios.
Case Study
Case Study
Case Study
Arbitration and SICC Disputes FAQs
Explore key questions and practical guidance for SIAC and SICC arbitration in Singapore.
Arbitration is a private dispute resolution process where parties agree to have disputes decided by an independent tribunal rather than courts, governed by Singapore arbitration laws.
Shareholders should consider arbitration when disputes involve cross-border elements, foreign shareholders, or offshore holding structures, or where neutrality, confidentiality, and enforceability of outcomes are critical. Arbitration is particularly effective for buy-out disputes, valuation disagreements, deadlocks, and minority oppression claims where court litigation in a single domestic forum may be inefficient or biased.
The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) is a leading global arbitration institution administering domestic and international arbitrations seated in Singapore.
SIAC offers a neutral and well-regarded arbitral framework, experienced international tribunals, procedural efficiency, and awards that are enforceable in over 160 jurisdictions. This makes SIAC especially attractive for international shareholder and joint venture disputes.
SIAC arbitration is well-suited for disputes relating to share buy-outs, valuation mechanisms, breaches of shareholdersâ agreements, deadlock situations, exit rights, governance failures, and unfair prejudice or oppression claims where arbitration clauses are in place.
SIAC is an arbitral institution offering private and confidential dispute resolution, while SICC is a specialist commercial court within the Singapore judiciary. We advise clients on whether arbitration under SIAC or litigation before the SICC is better suited to their dispute based on factors such as confidentiality, relief sought, and enforcement strategy.
Yes. Minority shareholders can use arbitration to seek contractual remedies, valuation-based buy-outs, injunctive relief, and other commercial outcomes, particularly where shareholdersâ agreements are carefully drafted. Arbitration often provides a faster and more neutral forum than domestic courts.
Generally, yes. Arbitration requires a valid arbitration agreement, usually contained in a shareholdersâ agreement or related commercial contract. We also advise on strategic options where arbitration clauses are absent or defective.
The seat determines the procedural law and supervisory court. Singapore is a preferred seat for international arbitrations.
Yes. Singapore is one of the worldâs leading arbitration seats, known for its pro-arbitration judiciary, modern legislative framework, and strong enforcement regime under the New York Convention.
Yes. Singapore-seated arbitral awards are enforceable in more than 160 countries under the New York Convention, making SIAC arbitration particularly effective for cross-border shareholder and commercial disputes.
Costs include arbitrator fees, institutional fees, and legal costs, and vary based on dispute value and complexity.
Yes. Parties may select arbitrators with relevant industry or legal expertise, subject to applicable rules.
Court intervention is limited and generally confined to supporting arbitration, such as interim relief or enforcement.
Awards may be enforced through Singapore courts and internationally under the New York Convention.
Yes. We regularly represent foreign shareholders, investors, and companies in Singapore-seated arbitration and SICC proceedings, including clients based in India and other jurisdictions.
Silvester Legal advises on domestic and international arbitrations with a strategic, commercially focused approach.
Clients turn to us for:
Proven experience: handling SIAC, SICC, and SCMA disputes
Global reach: representing clients from India, China, Russia, the UK, US, and more
Tailored strategy: balancing costs, timing, and enforceability
Cross-border strength: protecting rights and securing outcomes worldwide
