SIAC Investment Arbitration Rules (2017)—an overview

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Dharshini Prasad of WilmerHale and Jonathan Lim of WilmerHale
Practice notes

SIAC Investment Arbitration Rules (2017)—an overview

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Dharshini Prasad of WilmerHale and Jonathan Lim of WilmerHale

Practice notes
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An introduction to the SIAC Investment Arbitration rules (2017)

On 1 January 2017, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Investment Arbitration Rules (SIAC IA Rules) entered into force, applying by agreement to investment arbitrations commenced on or after that date.

While the SIAC IA Rules are specially designed for use in investment disputes involving states, state-controlled entities or intergovernmental organisations, they adopt features of SIAC rules for international commercial arbitration to simplify and streamline the investment arbitration process. The rules aim to address a number of concerns raised by users of investment arbitration, including perceptions that proceedings take too long, or that the arbitration process lacks transparency. The SIAC IA Rules also include a number of innovative provisions that address topical issues such as third-party funding and emergency interim relief.

The SIAC IA Rules are the product of an extensive public consultation process that began on 1 February 2016, when SIAC released a draft version of the SIAC IA Rules for comment—see News Analysis: Draft SIAC Investment Arbitration Rules

Dharshini Prasad
Dharshini Prasad

WilmerHale

Dharshini Prasad is a triple-qualified lawyer with the International Arbitration Group of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP in London where she focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes. She has advised States, State entities and corporations on commercial, investment and international law issues and has represented clients in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations under various arbitral rules (including the ICC, SIAC, LCIA and UNCITRAL rules). She has worked on disputes in civil and common law jurisdictions in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas and has particular experience with the energy, mining, private equity, ammonia and pharmaceutical sectors. Ms Prasad has also sat as arbitrator.

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Ms Prasad worked at a leading law firm in Singapore where her practice focused on international arbitration and litigation. She also worked at the United Nations International Law Commission in Geneva on issues of public international law, including the immunity of State officials and the scope and application of most-favoured nation clauses. 

In addition to LexisNexis, Dharshini is recognized for her expertise in international arbitration in Legal 500, Expert Guides and Who's Who Legal: Arbitration – Future Leaders. Clients describe her as a ‘strategic thinker’ and ‘destined for great things’. Apart from her work as counsel, Ms. Prasad contributes to industry publications and is an assistant editor for the Journal of International Arbitration. She also speaks on issues of international arbitration and has taught at New York University (Paris) and at the Austrian, SIAC and London School of Economics arbitration academies.

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Jonathan Lim
Jonathan Lim

WilmerHale

Jonathan Lim is a Senior Associate with WilmerHale in London. He has represented governments and private corporations in commercial and investment arbitrations under all major arbitration rules sited across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. He has also advised governments in Africa and Asia on a range of public international law issues and the drafting of arbitration legislation. In addition to his practice as counsel, Jonathan has a developing practice as an arbitrator, with appointments as sole and party-appointed arbitrator in proceedings seated in Europe and Asia. Jonathan also co-teaches a course on international arbitration at the National University of Singapore each January. He is listed in Who's Who Legal 2018 as a Future Leader in International Arbitration, and has been described by clients and peers as "a very smart all-round lawyer with a strong work ethic" and “a sure bet as a future global leader.”

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition:
IA definition
What does IA mean?

See Investment Association.

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