CJM v CJT: Application to Set Aside Arbitral Award - Singapore International Commercial Court

In CJM and others v CJT, the Singapore International Commercial Court dismissed the plaintiffs' application to set aside an arbitral award. The court ordered the plaintiffs to pay the defendant costs of S$85,000, which included pre-transfer costs, post-transfer costs, and disbursements. The court found the defendant's claimed costs to be reasonable, considering the voluminous documentation and complexity of the case.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL COURT

1.2 Outcome

Plaintiffs to pay the defendant costs of S$85,000 (all-in).

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

The Singapore International Commercial Court dismissed an application to set aside an arbitral award, ordering the plaintiffs to pay S$85,000 in costs to the defendant.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
CJMPlaintiffOtherApplication DismissedLost
CJNPlaintiffOtherApplication DismissedLost
CJOPlaintiffOtherApplication DismissedLost
CJPPlaintiffOtherApplication DismissedLost
CJQPlaintiffOtherApplication DismissedLost
CJRPlaintiffOtherApplication DismissedLost
CJSPlaintiffOtherApplication DismissedLost
CJTDefendantOtherCosts AwardedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Anselmo ReyesInternational JudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Chia Xin Ran AlinaRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Gani Hui Ying TracyRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Francis Xavier s/o Subramaniam Xavier AugustineRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Vergis S AbrahamProvidence Law Asia LLC
Zhuo JiaxiangProvidence Law Asia LLC
Asiyah binte Ahmad ArifProvidence Law Asia LLC

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiffs applied to set aside an arbitral award.
  2. The defendant sought costs of S$85,000.
  3. The plaintiffs disputed the quantum of costs.
  4. The defendant's Singapore counsel had to take full instructions on the matter.
  5. The arbitration took nearly 3 years.
  6. The award issued by the tribunal was almost 700 pages long.
  7. The affidavit in support of the plaintiffs’ setting aside application was 4,170 pages in length.

5. Formal Citations

  1. CJM and others v CJT, Originating Summons No 5 of 2021, [2021] SGHC(I) 9

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Hearing
Hearing
Hearing
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Costs
    • Outcome: The court ordered the plaintiffs to pay the defendant costs of S$85,000.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. No remedies sought

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Arbitration

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
CJM and others v CJTSingapore International Commercial CourtYes[2021] SGHC(I) 4SingaporeThe judgment refers to the previous decision where the plaintiffs’ application to set aside an arbitral award was dismissed.
CBX and another v CBZ and othersCourt of AppealYes[2021] SGCA(I) 4SingaporeCited for the principle that a voluminous record is a factor that may be considered in deciding whether to give an up-lift on pre-transfer costs.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
O 59 of the Rules of Court (2014 Rev Ed)
O 110 r 46 ROC
Appendix G of the Supreme Court Practice Directions

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Rules of CourtSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Arbitral Award
  • Setting Aside Application
  • Costs
  • Pre-transfer Costs
  • Post-transfer Costs
  • Disbursements
  • Voluminous Record

15.2 Keywords

  • Arbitration
  • Costs
  • Singapore International Commercial Court
  • Setting Aside
  • Rules of Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Costs95
Civil Practice75
Arbitration60
International Commercial Court Practice50
Jurisdiction40

16. Subjects

  • Arbitration
  • Civil Procedure
  • Costs