Post Graduate Diploma in SIAC Arbitration

Post Graduate Diploma in SIAC Arbitration (PGDSIAC) 

A Professional Specialized Skill Training Program by Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI)

• Eligibility: Any Basic Qualification or any Formal Education with Diploma or Graduation appearing or passed.

• Total Fees: Rs. 7,500/-
  (Everything Included from Admission, Course Fees and Delivery of Certificate, no additional Fees Apart from it)

• Mode: Online

• Study Material:  Will be provided through Learning Dashboard/Portal

• Learning Type: Self Paced

• Duration:  3 Months (Preferably, but can be completed anytime as soon as you give the Exam)

• Enrollment:  Any Time, there is no Fixed Enrolment Date or Day. A candidate can choose any time and the enrolment will be processed real time.

• Exam: One Online Exam, MCQ and Subjective Type Questions of 100 Marks. Passing Marks 40%. If unsuccessful, you can give additional two attempts.

• Procedure: Fill the Apply Now Form →  Pay the Requisite Amount of Fees by Clicking Pay Now Button → Then Click on Payment Confirmation button and fill the form with all the Details → Then login to the Dashboard.

Course Overview

In the realm of international commercial dispute resolution, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) stands as one of the premier arbitral institutions in the world. As commercial transactions across Asia, Europe, and North America continue to expand, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and global investors routinely choose SIAC as their preferred arbitral forum. This preference is driven by Singapore’s supportive legal framework, neutrality, procedural speed, and high enforcement rate under the New York Convention. Consequently, modern dispute resolution demands professionals who possess an intricate, granular understanding of the SIAC Rules, case management mechanisms, and procedural timelines. The Post Graduate Diploma in SIAC Arbitration (PGDSIAC), offered by the Indian Arbitration Institution (IAI), is an advanced, practical training program designed to build high-level competence in institutional arbitration administered under SIAC rules.

The PGDSIAC curriculum provides an exhaustive exploration of the lifecycle of a SIAC arbitration, from pre-dispute contract drafting to the post-award enforcement phase. Candidates examine the jurisdictional nuances of SIAC arbitration agreements, the formal submission of the Notice of Arbitration, response protocols, and the appointment mechanisms governed by the SIAC Court of Arbitration. Special emphasis is placed on SIAC’s distinctive procedural mechanisms, such as the Emergency Arbitrator procedure, Expedited Procedure, Early Dismissal of claims and defenses, and provisions concerning the consolidation of proceedings and joinder of additional parties.

Furthermore, the program addresses the essential practical skills needed during an arbitration: organizing case management conferences, drafting procedural applications, understanding institutional fee structures, managing the exchange of evidence under international standards, and preparing for hybrid or virtual evidentiary hearings. Participants also study the institutional scrutiny process that SIAC awards undergo prior to final issuance, which ensures their procedural integrity and reduces vulnerability to challenges during domestic or foreign enforcement.

Designed for practicing attorneys, corporate legal counsel, contract specialists, and cross-border commercial consultants, the PGDSIAC combines rigorous statutory analysis with practical institutional insights. Graduates complete the program equipped with the operational knowledge, procedural fluency, and strategic insight required to represent clients or manage disputes effectively within the SIAC ecosystem.

Course Structure and Modules

The tentative modules are as follows and are subject to continuous updates based on guidelines issued by the IAI Board of Skill Studies:

Module 1: Introduction to Institutional Arbitration and the SIAC Framework

• Evolution of Singapore as a global arbitral hub and the role of the International Arbitration Act (IAA).

• Overview of the SIAC organization: The Board of Directors vs. The SIAC Court of Arbitration.

• Drafting effective SIAC model arbitration clauses, hybrid clauses, and jurisdictional choices.

Module 2: Commencement of Arbitration and Constitution of the Tribunal

• Drafting and filing the Notice of Arbitration, Response, and institutional fee payments.

• Appointment, challenge, and replacement of arbitrators under the SIAC Rules.

• Standards of independence, impartiality, and disclosure mandates for tribunal members.

Module 3: Special Procedures: Emergency Arbitrator, Expedited Procedure & Early Dismissal

• Invoking Emergency Arbitrator proceedings for urgent interim relief before tribunal constitution.

• Criteria, timeline, and application dynamics for the SIAC Expedited Procedure.

• Early Dismissal of claims and defenses: Grounds, procedural tests, and strategic deployment.

Module 4: Multi-Party, Multi-Contract Arbitrations, Consolidation & Joinder

• Managing disputes arising out of multiple related commercial contracts under SIAC Rules.

• Mechanisms and legal tests for consolidating concurrent arbitrations.

• Procedures for joinder of additional parties prior to and following tribunal constitution.

Module 5: Procedural Timelines, Evidence, and Hearing Management

• Case Management Conferences (CMC) and drafting Terms of Reference / Procedural Order No. 1.

• Evidentiary procedures, document production requests, and witness statements.

• Virtual, hybrid, and physical hearing administration under SIAC practice notes.

Module 6: Awards, Institutional Scrutiny, and Enforcement

• Form, structure, and content of final, interim, and partial SIAC arbitral awards.

• The SIAC award scrutiny mechanism by the Registrar and Court of Arbitration.

• Challenging and enforcing SIAC awards internationally under the 1958 New York Convention.

Importance of Doing this Course

As international commerce grows increasingly interconnected, businesses rely heavily on institutional arbitration to protect their commercial investments. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) handles hundreds of cross-border disputes annually, involving billions of dollars in claims. With businesses consistently nominating SIAC clauses in cross-border trade, construction, joint ventures, and technology transactions, specialized mastery of SIAC arbitration has become an essential asset in modern corporate and dispute practice.

Generic knowledge of domestic litigation or ad hoc arbitration is insufficient when operating before an elite international forum. The PGDSIAC provides in-depth, rule-specific training that enables practitioners to leverage institutional tools to their client’s tactical advantage. Understanding how to deploy emergency arbitrator provisions can protect vital assets before an arbitral tribunal is formed. Similarly, mastering early dismissal and expedited procedures allows practitioners to dispose of frivolous claims and secure final awards within accelerated timeframes, saving significant time and legal expense.

Moreover, earning this qualification demonstrates to employers, corporate boards, and clients that you possess dedicated fluency in international commercial dispute mechanisms. For corporate legal departments, having an in-house expert trained in SIAC arbitration reduces external legal spend and ensures contracts are structured to minimize jurisdictional ambiguity. For practicing advocates and dispute consultants, this credential serves as a clear differentiator, positioning them to manage institutional mandates and collaborate effectively with international legal teams.

Career Prospects

The Post Graduate Diploma in SIAC Arbitration prepares graduates for specialized roles across international law firms, multinational corporations, and arbitral institutions.

International Arbitration Counsel and Associates: Law firms handling cross-border commercial litigation and arbitration actively seek professionals who understand the procedural mechanisms of SIAC. Graduates can draft notices, statements of claim, and procedural applications, as well as prepare evidence and cross-examinations tailored to institutional practice.

In-House Legal Advisors in Multinational Corporations: Enterprises engaged in foreign trade, infrastructure, technology licensing, and logistics require in-house counsel who can negotiate dispute resolution clauses and oversee external international counsel. PGDSIAC holders are well-suited to manage corporate dispute strategy, assess liability exposure, and drive early amicable settlements.

Tribunal Secretaries and Arbitral Case Managers: International arbitral institutions and senior commercial arbitrators rely on tribunal secretaries and case managers to handle procedural administration, maintain case files, organize hearings, and assist in legal research. Understanding SIAC practice provides a strong foundation for securing these prestigious institutional appointments.

Cross-Border Commercial and Claims Consultants: Specialists working in project management, finance, maritime, and infrastructure often manage complex contractual disputes before formal escalation. A specialized diploma allows claims consultants and contract engineers to align their claims documentation with institutional arbitration standards, streamlining the dispute process.

Necessary Details

The Indian Arbitration Institution offers this professional program with transparent terms, flexible learning arrangements, and continuous admission to accommodate working professionals and students.

Eligibility The program is accessible to individuals seeking specialized institutional arbitration training:

• Any Basic Qualification or Formal Education with a Diploma or Graduation (appearing or passed).

This broad eligibility allows law students, business graduates, technical specialists, and working professionals to gain advanced, career-enhancing skills.

Total Fees The all-inclusive fee for the program is Rs. 7,500/-. This fee covers the entire educational and administrative lifecycle: admission registration, complete digital courseware, access to the learning portal, examination administration, and the physical delivery of the Certificate to your address upon graduation. There are no additional fees or hidden costs.

Mode and Study Material The program is conducted 100% Online. Enrolled participants receive complete access to the dedicated Learning Dashboard/Portal, where all course modules, annotated SIAC rules, procedural templates, case studies, and reading materials are hosted.

Learning Type and Duration The training is Self-Paced. While calibrated for an optimal duration of 3 Months, candidates are not bound by weekly quotas. You can progress through the materials at your own speed and sit for the final examination as soon as you are prepared.

Enrollment Enrollment is open Any Time throughout the year. There are no fixed terms, semester cutoffs, or batch dates. Every registration is processed in real time, granting immediate access to the study platform upon enrollment confirmation.

Examination Structure Certification requires completing One Online Exam comprising Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Subjective Questions totaling 100 Marks.

• Passing Marks: 40%

• Retake Policy: In the event an applicant does not clear the assessment on their first attempt, the IAI allows up to two additional attempts at no extra cost.

Application Procedure

1. Apply: Complete the Apply Now Form on the official portal.

2. Pay: Submit the requisite fee of Rs. 7,500/- by clicking the Pay Now button.

3. Confirm: Click the Payment Confirmation button and complete the form with your transaction details.

4. Access: Log in to the Learning Dashboard and start your course immediately.