TSMP Law Corporation head of IP & TMT Adrian Tan commented in a law.com story on the Singapore Convention, which had taken effect on the weekend of 12 September 2020.

“Culturally, Asian businesses dislike publicising disputes,” he said. “They also dislike resolving business conflicts in a forum that declares one side right, and the other side wrong.  Whichever side wins, in an arbitration or litigation, the business relationship is lost.

“Asian businesses which value relationships prefer a more nuanced and face-saving way of resolving problems. Mediation is therefore ideal.”

“Singapore is an independent nation, unlike Hong Kong, which is part of China,” he added. “This is important when parties have legal issues involving Chinese enterprises.”