2023 in Southeast Asia witnessed several significant decisions issued by apex courts across various countries, and exciting new initiatives which promise an eventful 2024 ahead. In this post, we’ve put together a summary of 2023’s key highlights.   Developments in Arbitral Rules and Regulatory Frameworks 2023 was an eventful year for arbitral institutions in Southeast…

On 17 January 2023, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (“Timor-Leste”) became the 172nd country to accede to the United Nations Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 (the “New York Convention”)1)United Nations, Timor-Leste accedes to Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2023/unisl339.html.. Thereafter, in accordance with the convention’s…

Today is the last day of 2020. For most of us, 2020 has been a particularly unusual year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prompted by necessity, arbitration in Southeast Asia adapted to the sea-change by: (i) using technology for virtual hearings, events and to build on existing diversity initiatives, (ii) developing domestic arbitration case law…

On 11 April 2016, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (“Timor-Leste”) commenced the first ever compulsory conciliation proceedings under Annex V, section 2 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”). The proceedings concern the disputed maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Australia in the Timor Sea. Australia objected to the conciliation on…