New Centre for Arbitration and International Dispute Resolution to be Established
1. The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) will establish a new Centre at the NUS Faculty of Law driving leadership and innovation in arbitration and other forms of international dispute resolution (the “Centre”). Through independent research, thought leadership, international engagement and post-tertiary education, the Centre will reinforce Singapore’s position as a leading global and regional centre for international dispute resolution.
Cutting-Edge Research to Shape the Future of International Arbitration
2. Amid increasing tensions and uncertainty in the international trade and business environment, the Centre will undertake rigorous research and engagement with practice aimed at developing trusted, credible and sustainable dispute resolution frameworks.
3. The Centre will be led by Professor Stavros Brekoulakis, an international expert, academic and practitioner in international arbitration from the NUS Faculty of Law. Building on NUS’s expertise in international law and arbitration, the Centre will connect leading academics, arbitrators, practitioners, policymakers, judges, institutions and users from around the world. It will address issues shaping the future of international arbitration. These include transparency and accountability, ethics and professional governance, investor–State dispute settlement, and the contribution of Singapore and ASEAN to the development of international arbitration law and practice.
4. The Centre will complement Singapore’s existing world-class dispute-resolution institutions and infrastructure by providing a dedicated platform for research, policy development, publications and international conventions.
Proposed New Programme in International Arbitration
5. The Centre will develop a rigorous, research-led and interdisciplinary programme of advanced studies in international arbitration. The programme will combine advanced legal studies and research-led teaching with exposure to business, technology as well as engagement with leading international arbitrators, counsel, institutions and academics. It will strive to set a global benchmark in advanced education and professional development of future leaders in international arbitration.
6. Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Mr Edwin Tong SC said: “Singapore strongly supports multilateralism, and a dispute resolution system which is trusted, is rules based and which applies fairly. We will do our best to contribute towards the strengthening of a framework to support such a system. This will include innovative research and fresh thinking, in order to evolve the framework, and keep it relevant and fit for purpose. As an international dispute resolution hub in the heart of Asia, we believe that Singapore is well placed to contribute to these efforts, by bringing together global thought leaders with different perspectives from across the region and beyond.”
7. Professor Brekoulakis said: “International arbitration is entering a period of significant change. The challenges facing the field require fresh thinking about how the system can remain effective, credible and responsive to a changing global economy. I look forward to working with colleagues across academia, practice and policymaking to address these challenges and contribute to shaping the future of international arbitration. The Centre will bring together rigorous scholarship and the advanced practical understanding, with the ambition of establishing Singapore as a leading global centre for thought leadership and advanced education in international dispute resolution. I am grateful to the Ministry of Law for their commitment and support in making this important initiative possible.”
8. More information on the Centre will be shared in due course.
MINISTRY OF LAW
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
25 AUGUST 2026
Last updated on 25 August 2026