Answer ... The award must be in writing and be signed by the sole arbitrator or by a majority of the arbitrators (provided that the reason for any omitted signature is stated). The award must state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the parties have agreed otherwise or the award is made by consent of the parties. The award must mention the date of the award and the place of arbitration; the award is deemed to have been made at the place of the arbitration. After the award has been made, a signed copy of the award must be delivered to each party (Section 38 of the Arbitration Act; Article 31 of the UNCITRAL Model Law).

For more information about this answer please contact: Alvin Yeo and Koh Swee Yen from WongPartnership LLP

Answer ... There is no time limit prescribed for rendering an award. Specifically, under Section 36 of the Arbitration Act, the court has the power to extend the time for making an award for such period and on such terms as it thinks fit when the time is limited by the arbitration agreement. There is no equivalent power under the International Arbitration Act.

In this regard, the Singapore courts have held that an undue delay in the making of an award in and of itself does not suggest that the arbitrator or tribunal is partial or lacks independence, or constitute a breach of natural justice, and is not a basis on which the award may be set aside (PT Central Investindo v Franciscus Wongso [2014] 4 SLR 978; Coal & Oil Co LLC v GHCL Ltd [2015] 3 SLR 154)

For more information about this answer please contact: Alvin Yeo and Koh Swee Yen from WongPartnership LLP