Society of Construction Law (Singapore)

22 December 2025

Council Message - December 2025

Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Society of Construction Law (Singapore) newsletter. As we close out another eventful year in the construction law landscape, we are pleased to present two thought-provoking articles that reflect both the evolution and the ongoing challenges in our field.

In this issue, we begin with an analysis by the CMS team of the recent appellate decision in ICOP Construction (SG) Pte Ltd v Tiong Seng Civil Engineering (Pte) Ltd, which explores the complexities of contract termination at law and under contract, offering practical insights for parties contemplating termination and the evidential requirements involved.

Next, we feature a comparative piece by Alistair Cull, Quantum Expert at Diales, examining adjudication practices in the UK and Singapore. This article highlights key differences in approach, especially regarding claims for loss and damage, and considers the potential for hybrid dispute resolution models in the face of increasingly complex construction disputes.

Finally, we revisit a recent panel discussion that reflected on two decades of adjudication under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act (SOPA), where the panel discussed the achievements of adjudication as well as how adjudication can continue to serve the industry’s evolving needs.

Thank you for your continued support, and we’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026 in advance.

Warm regards,
Publications Committee
SCL (Singapore)

20 November 2025

Share Your Views: Draft SCLS Protocol for the Use of Joint Statements in Arbitration

The Society of Construction Law (Singapore) - Thought Leadership Committee embarked on an initiative to develop a protocol for the use of joint statements in arbitration proceedings (the “Protocol”). This initiative was endorsed by Justice Philip Jeyaretnam in his Keynote Address at the Society of Construction Law (Singapore) Conference 2025. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting procedural clarity, efficiency, and collaboration in the resolution of disputes arising out of construction projects. We hope that the Protocol will prove invaluable as a source of best practice for construction arbitration.

We would be grateful for any insights and suggestions you may have on the draft Protocol (click to download), which will be considered for incorporation into the final version. Your feedback will be instrumental in shaping what we hope will become a practical and widely supported document.

We would be grateful if you could submit your input by 26 December 2025 (Friday) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., after which the drafters of the Protocol (which consists of a working group led by Kelvin Teo and Kelvin Aw) will consider incorporating them into the final version.

We are also pleased to announce that the Protocol will be formally launched at a joint event with the Asia Pacific Institute of Experts (APIEx) on 28 January 2026. More details will follow shortly — we hope to see many of you there.

Thank you for your engagement and continued support of the Society’s initiatives. It is only through the support of the Society’s members that we continue to flourish and contribute to discourse on issues that arise in construction law and built environment industry issues in Singapore.

Warm regards,
Kelvin Teo, Chair of Thought Leadership Committee
Society of Construction Law (Singapore)

28 October 2025

Council Member's Message - October 2025

Dear members and friends of SCL(S),

As we approach the final months of 2025, I’m delighted to reach out to you in my capacity as Vice-Chair of the Council. It has been a productive year for our Society, and we have much to look forward to as we round off 2025 and prepare for the year ahead.

Firstly, I am pleased to highlight our upcoming seminar: “Adjudication in Singapore: Reflections and the Road Ahead”, scheduled for 6 November 2025. This session will take stock of the adjudication regime under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2004 (SOPA) and how, two decades on, adjudication has become a central feature of dispute resolution in our construction industry. We will reflect on its achievements, identify where it needs to evolve, and consider how it must adapt to new industry realities — an excellent opportunity for all professionals involved in construction law and dispute resolution. Society of Construction Law I encourage you to join us, engage with the discussion, network with fellow members over the post-seminar buffet, and renew your perspective on this fundamental mechanism.

Secondly, looking ahead to the start of 2026, we are thrilled to present our flagship year-opening event: the Annual Construction Law Update 2026, scheduled for 22 January 2026. This Update will bring you a full evening of learning and networking, including sessions on recent developments in construction law in Singapore and key developments in English law with relevance for our practice here. It provides an invaluable opportunity to sharpen your knowledge as we commence a new year full of opportunities and challenges in the built-environment sector.

Membership Renewal Reminder

At the same time, I would like to remind you that membership renewals commence in November. As a member of SCL (S), you enjoy access to premier educational events such as the ones above, networking opportunities, thought-leadership, and a community of construction law professionals from across the spectrum. Please ensure your renewal is processed promptly so you continue to benefit from all that our Society offers and so that you remain part of this vibrant and forward-looking community. In closing, thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. We are building both knowledge and connections together. As the pace of change in the construction and infrastructure sector continues to accelerate — from adjudication practices to evolving contract regimes and dispute-resolution models — your active participation in SCL (S) keeps you at the forefront of those developments.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming seminar on adjudication and again at the Annual Law Update in January. Together, let us embrace these opportunities to sharpen our skills, deepen our insights, and strengthen our professional community.

With warm regards and much anticipation,
Joanna Seetoh
Vice-Chair, SCL (Singapore)