Singapore International Commercial Court(SICC)

Parliament approved the concept of setting up an international court to arbitrate international legal disputes here. As rightly pointed out by Shanmugam, international disputes are now handled in London and New York and there is a void that Singapore can fill. A Singapore International Court is our contribution to the international legal system, to provide a neutral judicial court for parties that do not feel comfortable going to New York and London. These western courts have been the default arbiters for international disputes and also have issues that some parties, especially Asians or countries that are not on friendly terms with New York and London, are not comfortable with.
 
SICC will fill this void and ‘will bank on Singapore’s outstanding “brand name” for good governance, low corruption and efficiency, its highly regarded judiciary and high quality legal services’. Well said. This is our capital, our unique position, our strength, to provide a neutral and fair justice system that is not beholden to any country or superpower. If SICC can do that, it will have its work cut out for it. No matter how good the reputation of New York and London, the western and American bias are not comfortable and at times unfavourable to some litigating parties.
 
Let’s hope the SICC bench consists of Singaporeans and not be another New York or London with no Singaporean faces. It will be as good as saying Singaporeans are unfit to serve in the international arena, that Singaporeans are half bakes and yes, the courts must be filled by foreign talents. We have to be ourself and take pride in being Singaporeans, real true blue Singaporeans, not those given a new pink IC. There is something special in true blue Singaporeans that is intangible and much more valuable than just pure academic abilities. The Singapore Govt must trust Singaporeans to have the ability to be the best, as good if not better than New York and London. The last thing we want to do is to become a branch of New York and London and share the same disease. Those legal minds in London and New York do not have 3 heads and 6 limbs. They are like us, with a head, a pair of eyes and 4 limbs.
 
I read the report in the media and there is no mention of foreigners becoming the judges in SICC. I hope it will stay that way, and SICC will surpass New York and London in providing justice to all, the Singapore way. We must raise the profile of the Singapore Brand, be proud of the Singapore Brand, and not be another bastardised brand. We don’t have to become bastards to be good.

Kopi Level - Yellow