Book Review

In his review of Chan Leng Sun’s Arbitral Awards (second ed.), Alain Farhad argues that the book serves not merely as a doctrinal treatise on arbitral awards under Singapore law, but also as a reflection of the maturity, coherence, and international legitimacy of Singapore’s arbitral jurisprudence. Through a detailed examination of the statutory framework governing arbitral awards – including Singapore’s Arbitration Act and International Arbitration Act, the UNCITRAL Model Law, and the New York Convention – Chan’s work systematically addresses the full life cycle of arbitral awards, from issuance to enforcement and challenge. Particular attention is given to Singapore courts’ consistent commitment to party autonomy, finality of awards, judicial restraint, and a strong pro-enforcement approach. This book also explores how the predictability and transparency of Singapore’s jurisprudence contribute to Singapore’s reputation as a trusted arbitral seat. Ultimately, Alain Farhad’s review contends that Arbitral Awards both documents and reinforces Singapore’s emergence as a sophisticated and reliable arbitration hub, while offering valuable lessons for legislators, courts, arbitrators, and practitioners in other jurisdictions.