Litigation & Arbitration
Prepared to go the distance, and to tell you when a settlement is the better result.
General information on commercial and civil disputes in Singapore, not legal advice. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.
In our words
Speak to
- Bhaskaran Sivasamybhaskaran.sivasamy@skandanlaw.com
- Sivakumar Rajagopalsivakumar.rajagopal@skandanlaw.com
Our lawyers are prepared to go the distance, but we are also on the lookout for rational business solutions and out-of-the-box opportunities. In some cases there is a moment in time when a settlement is to the client’s advantage. We keep our focus on this dynamic and keep our clients informed about settlement opportunities and the risk/rewards of continuing with litigation/ arbitration. And if and when we are called to the fight, we go full throttle.
We have acted for clients in local and cross border disputes. Our expertise covers contractual disputes, banking and finance , shareholder disputes, common law actions in misrepresentation, negligence and nuisance, defamation, employment, real and personal property and disputes involving partnerships and join ventures.
Our lawyers have specialist construction and engineering expertise and have acted for the key players in both the public and private sectors including owners, major contractors, specialist sub-contractors and suppliers as well as independent professionals such as architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and other professionals.
What we handle
- Commercial litigation and arbitration (including corporate, banking and employment disputes)
- Construction and engineering litigation
- Property disputes (including Tenancies)
- Insolvency Litigation
- Insurance litigation
- MCST and Strata Title Disputes
- Defamation
- Wills, Probate, Letters of Administration, Trust and Estate Matters
Fees
Fees depend on the scope of the matter. Ask us for a quote.
| Initial consultationReviewing your documents and explaining where you stand and the options open to you. | On enquiry |
|---|---|
| Letters and negotiationLetters of demand, replies and settlement negotiations before any claim is filed. | On enquiry |
| Court or arbitration proceedingsFiling or defending a claim and taking it through to a hearing. | On enquiry |
Where to start
Call us or send a short outline of your matter, and one of our directors will tell you the next step.
Common questions
I have received a letter of demand. What should I do?
Read it carefully, note the deadline and check the claim against your own records. A letter of demand is not a court order, but ignoring it can lead to a court claim, so it is usually wise to reply in time, even if only to say that you dispute the claim or are taking advice.
Read the full guide →How does a civil claim work in the Singapore courts?
Before suing, you are expected to try to resolve the dispute, usually starting with a letter of demand and an offer to settle. If that fails, the claim is started by an originating claim in a court chosen by the amount at stake, and the court then manages the case towards settlement or trial.
Read the full guide →Should I go to the Small Claims Tribunals or to court?
The Small Claims Tribunals hear certain consumer, service, property damage and residential tenancy claims of up to S$20,000, or S$30,000 if both sides agree, filed within two years. Lawyers cannot appear there. Larger, older or other types of claim go to the Magistrate's Court or a higher court.
Read the full guide →What is the difference between arbitration and going to court?
Court proceedings are public and allow appeals. Arbitration is a private process that the parties must agree to, usually in their contract, and its awards are final with only narrow grounds of challenge but can be enforced in many countries. Which suits you depends on the dispute and on what your contract says.
Read the full guide →How do I get paid for construction work under the Security of Payment Act?
Serve a payment claim on time under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act. If the other side does not respond or pay, you can apply for adjudication, a fast process run through the Singapore Mediation Centre. The deadlines are short and strictly applied, so it is important to track every date.
Read the full guide →How are disputes with my MCST or condo neighbours resolved?
Most start with a direct discussion with the MCST or neighbour, then mediation. If that fails, many condominium disputes can be taken to the Strata Titles Board, a specialist tribunal whose orders are binding. For leaks between floors, the law presumes the leak comes from the unit above unless shown otherwise.
Read the full guide →What can I do about a dispute with my landlord or tenant?
Start with the tenancy agreement, which sets out most of each side's rights on deposits, repairs and ending the lease. Put your position in writing. Residential tenancy disputes of two years or less, up to the claim limit, can go to the Small Claims Tribunals. Commercial lease disputes and larger claims go to court.
Read the full guide →Can I use a statutory demand to recover a debt?
If a company owes you more than S$15,000, or an individual owes you at least S$15,000, and the debt is not genuinely disputed, you can serve a statutory demand. If it is not paid, secured or compounded within 21 days, you may apply to wind up the company or make the individual bankrupt. It is not the right tool for a disputed debt.
Read the full guide →Still have a question? Ask us directly.
Have questions?
Send us a quick note below and let's figure things out together.