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Maxwell Chambers is an integrated alternative dispute resolution complex located in Singapore.

Maxwell Chambers provides hearing rooms and facilities for the conduct of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) hearings in Singapore. It also hosts the regional offices of a number of ADR institutions, arbitrators, and international arbitration practitioners.[1]

Maxwell Chambers was established with seed money from the Singapore Government. The intention is for ownership to transfer to the private sector in due course.[2]

In anticipation of the growth in arbitration work in Singapore, Maxwell Chambers is considering future expansion into a satellite office close to the current flagship facility.[3]

History

The origins of Maxwell Chambers[4] can be traced as far back as 2002 when the Legal Services Working Group of the Economic Review Committee chaired by then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stressed the need for “good infrastructure and facilities” to make Singapore a regional alternative dispute resolution service centre.

In 2005, the Ministry of Law started planning for the development of an integrated dispute resolution complex. The architects visited arbitration hearing centres around the world to get design ideas, and then added “a Singapore touch”.[5]

In January 2007, Singapore's former Custom House was chosen as the site[2] and design work commenced. Upon the completion of refurbishment works in July 2009, the building opened for hearings.

Maxwell Chambers was officially launched in January 2010.[5]

Reception

The establishment of Maxwell Chambers was nominated by Global Arbitration Review as one of the “Best Developments” in the arbitration industry in 2010.[6]

Global Arbitration Review’s first survey on hearing centres in 2013[7] found that Maxwell Chambers was one of the top three hearing centres that leading international arbitration lawyers were most likely to "recommend to a friend". Survey respondents remarked that Maxwell Chambers was “perfect”, “the standout facility” and “currently the gold standard”.

Building

Maxwell Chambers occupies the former Custom House located in Tanjong Pagar in Singapore’s central business district. Built in the 1930s during the British colonial era, the building was the headquarters of the Department of Customs and Excise for over 60 years.[8]

Following the refurbishment of the building, it was renamed Maxwell Chambers and was in 2010 marked the 88th historic site in Singapore by the National Heritage Board.[9]

The building was awarded the International Architecture Award for Best New Global Design (2010) by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.[10]

In 2012, the building was also awarded an Architectural Heritage Award by Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority.[11]

Facilities

Maxwell Chambers has 12 custom-designed and fully equipped hearing rooms and 12 preparation rooms, a business centre,[12] and a lounge for arbitrators.[5] It also provides audio-visual and video conferencing facilities and simultaneous translation and transcription.[12]

Tenants

Maxwell Chambers houses the regional offices of several ADR institutions[4] including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), the ICC Court of Arbitration, the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center, and the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA). The Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) will also be based at Maxwell Chambers.[13]

A number of barristers’ chambers and arbitrators are also based at Maxwell Chambers including Essex Court Chambers, 20 Essex Street,[14] 39 Essex Street, One Essex Court,[15] Bankside Chambers[16] and Hanotiau & van den Berg[17]

Signature Events

In addition to providing hearing facilities and office space, Maxwell Chambers also organises a number of signature events:

  • Singapore International Arbitration Forum (SIAF)
  • Maxwell ADR Forum
  • Maxwell Lectures

References

  1. ^ a b Crowe, Chris (16 August 2010). "Asia's arbitration explosion". International Bar Association. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Facts & Statistics on Singapore's Legal Sector" (PDF). Ministry of Law, Singapore. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b Ahmad, Jawad; Yeap, Andre. "Section 2: Overviews - Arbitration in Asia". The Asia Pacific Arbitration Review 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Sulaiman, Uzma Balkiss (7 February 2010). "Maxwell Chambers opens in Singapore". Global Arbitration Review. 5 (1).(subscription required)
  5. ^ Ross, Alison (5 June 2011). "Singapore: City state reflects on progress". Global Arbitration Review. 6 (3).(subscription required)
  6. ^ Samuels, David (4 February 2014). "Hearing Centres Survey". Global Arbitration Review's Guide to Regional Arbitration. 2. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  7. ^ "The Building that Never Slept". inSYNC - Singapore Customs Newsletter (10). January 2011.
  8. ^ Spykerman, Kimberly (9 October 2010). "Custom House marked as a historic site". The Straits Times.
  9. ^ The International Architectural Awards 2010 Archive (PDF). The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. 2010. p. 62.
  10. ^ Wong, Jeanne (5 October 2012). "Maxwell Chambers wins URA Architectural Heritage Award". AsiaOne. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  11. ^ a b Yeo, Alvin; Maniam, Andre (4 February 2010). "New integrated dispute resolution complex opens in Singapore". Practical Law. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  12. ^ Lim, George. "Back to "MediAsian"". Who's Who Legal. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  13. ^ "MoJ oversight costs London dear". The Lawyer. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  14. ^ Dowell, Katy (26 June 2012). "One Essex Court and 39 Essex Street prepare for Singapore launches". The Lawyer. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  15. ^ Elward, David (28 February 2011). "New Zealand trio set up shop in Maxwell Chambers'". Global Arbitration Review.(subscription required)
  16. ^ Alison, Ross (9 December 2011). "Boutique firm to gain Singapore outpost". Global Arbitration Review.(subscription required)

Further reading

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