Changes

The Defendant shipowners appealed to the Judge-in-Chambers.

The judge dismissed the appeal, on the following grounds.

## There appearing to be no bona fide intention by the Defendants to have the Plaintiffs’ claim arbitrated. Rather, by their conduct in the case, the Defendants appeared to be trying all ways and means to avoid an adjudication of the matter.

The wording of section 6(2) of the Singapore International Arbitration Act is different from that in the comparable provision in section 9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (UK). As the English statute does not expressly empower the court to impose conditions upon a stay, the view has been expressed that in England, if the criteria for a stay of court proceedings in favour of arbitration are made out, the court is obliged to stay proceedings for arbitration without conditions.