According to a report in Singapore Law Watch, ambitious plans to set up the Singapore International Court moved closer this week when the proposals were put before the Singapore Parliament.

Singapore already has the Singapore International Arbitration Centre which apparently heard 259 disputes last year with a total value in excess of $6 billion.

The Singapore Law Watch report emphasises Singapore’s wider plan to be the leading dispute resolution centre in South-East Asia.

The proposals put before Parliament include new rules for the regulation of law firms and foreign lawyers. It also provides for international judges to be hired to help SICC cases.