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Media Release: Singapore and Bahrain Partnership Enhances Trust and Neutrality for International Commercial Disputes
The Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) marks a significant step in its pioneering work in international commercial dispute resolution with the official launch of the Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC) in Manama. This follows a collaboration framework between the SICC and BICC to support the Kingdom of Bahrain in establishing an international commercial court for the resolution of transnational commercial disputes and the broader development of Bahrain as a dispute resolution hub. Based principally on the SICC, the establishment of the BICC affirms the SICC model's effectiveness in providing a trusted and neutral forum for the resolution of international commercial disputes and driving legal convergence to enhance certainty for cross-border commerce.
2 Marking the launch of the BICC on 5 November 2025, the King Hamad Lecture for Neutral Justice Ceremony was graced by, among other dignitaries, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon delivered the King Hamad Lecture titled “The Bahrain International Commercial Court: A Beacon of Neutral Justice,” reflecting on the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening international judicial cooperation and advancing the rule of law for international commerce.
3 The features of the collaboration include a groundbreaking option for parties to bring appeals from the BICC to the International Committee of the SICC. The availability of this transnational appeal mechanism, tapping on the expertise of the SICC, offers commercial parties an unprecedented, trusted channel for resolving complex disputes.
The Business Value of Legal Convergence
4 The significance of the collaboration between the SICC and the BICC for the international business community was explored at the subsequent Conference on “The Future of International Commercial Courts: Towards Transnational Justice” on 6 November 2025. The conference featured prominent speakers including Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Chief Justice of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, President of the SICC, Justice Philip Jeyaretnam, and President of the BICC, Professor Jan Paulsson.
5 In his welcome remarks, Chief Justice Menon underscored the collaboration’s value to business, describing law as the “global currency of trust” for international commerce. He highlighted that international commercial courts act as “Catalysts of Legal Convergence,” essential for building a predictable transnational commercial justice system.
6 The SICC-BICC collaboration provides immediate business value by:
• Enhancing Predictability: The jurisprudence of the SICC and BICC will contribute to the development of a convergent body of transnational commercial law, providing consistency for businesses operating across jurisdictions.
• Delivering Fair and Reliable Outcomes: The International Committee of the SICC establishes a robust mechanism for error correction, and users can be assured of the quality of commercial justice and commitment to neutrality it will provide.
• Promoting Global Standards: The SICC and BICC will help shape the future of transnational commercial justice by developing transnational procedural norms for the resolution of cross-border disputes and by supporting international arbitration as effective supervisory and enforcement courts.
7 Highlighting the significance of these developments for the international business community, Chief Justice Menon said: "The launch of the Bahrain International Commercial Court is a watershed moment for dispute resolution in the MENA region. The SICC is proud to have collaborated with the Bahrain judiciary to establish this new court on the model of the SICC. The avenue for appeals from the BICC to the new International Committee of the SICC, supports the system of transnational commercial justice. This unique feature will not only enhance user confidence but will also make an enduring contribution to the coherent development of modern transnational commercial law.”
8 Professor Jan Paulsson affirmed the commitment to commercial assurance: “I have had the privilege of observing how the SICC was created and how it has evolved into a remarkable institution. The transformative concept of a national court comprised of international judges responds to the quest for truly neutral adjudication of international disputes. The involvement of judges from different jurisdictions holds out the promise that the outcome of the dispute will not be perceived as driven by unwritten national specificities but rather attuned to the legitimate expectations of a variety of potential litigants—thus ensuring the perception of a level playing field. Benefitting from its close cooperation with Singapore, Bahrain believes that BICC, inspired by SICC, will prove itself to be a reliably unbiased forum for its entire region – and beyond.”
Enabling Commercial Opportunities
9 The SICC-BICC collaboration not only promotes greater trust and efficiency in cross-border dispute resolution but also strategically creates tangible commercial opportunities for Singapore law firms and businesses operating in the region.
10 To enhance these opportunities, the Law Society of Singapore is leading a delegation of lawyers from Singapore to Bahrain to attend the King Hamad Lecture ceremony and the conference. During the delegation’s trip, the following Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed on 6 November 2025 to strengthen legal ties between the respective institutions:
• The Law Society of Singapore and the Bahrain Centre for Dispute Resolution
• The Law Society of Singapore and the Bahrain Bar Society
11 These coordinated efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the respective institutions across borders enhance the supporting legal ecosystem and infrastructure for cross-border transactions, providing a more secure and supportive environment for companies doing business.
2025/11/07
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