At Riyadh International Disputes Week 2026: Supporting Cross-Border Trade and Investment Through Collaborative Dispute Resolution
Continuing the momentum from joint sessions in both 2024 and 2025, SIMC, Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) came together again at Riyadh International Disputes Week 2026 (RIDW 2026) to explore collaborative approaches to dispute resolution. RIDW is a leading international platform that brings together dispute resolution practitioners, institutions, policymakers, and businesses from across regions. The discussion focused on how mediation, arbitration, and litigation can work together to support cross-border trade and investment, and how specialised approaches can advance projects in the context of the global energy transition.
Charlene Chang, Deputy Secretary (Development), Ministry of Law Singapore delivering the opening address.
Opening Remarks
The programme opened with an address by Charlene Chang, Deputy Secretary (Development), Ministry of Law Singapore. She highlighted the importance of effective dispute resolution in sustaining cross-border trade and investment in an increasingly complex and interconnected global environment. She also emphasised Singapore’s ongoing commitment to developing a robust, trusted, and integrated dispute resolution ecosystem that supports commercial certainty and economic growth.
(From left to right) Moderator Toby Landau KC, Vice President of the SIAC Court of Arbitration; Barrister, Arbitrator, and Advocate at Duxton Hill Chambers, Gregory Vijayendran SC, Board Member at SIMC; Partner at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Karim Mariey, Member of SIAC Court of Arbitration; Partner at White & Case LLP and Crystal Tan, Divisional Registrar at SICC, District Judge at Supreme Court of Singapore.
Fireside Chat: Supporting Cross-Border Trade and Investment
The first session took the form of a fireside chat moderated by Toby Landau KC (Vice President of the SIAC Court of Arbitration; Barrister, Arbitrator, and Advocate at Duxton Hill Chambers). The discussion examined how alternative dispute resolution mechanisms can be deployed strategically to manage cross-border disputes efficiently while preserving commercial relationships.
The panel featured Gregory Vijayendran SC (Board Member at SIMC; Partner at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP), Crystal Tan (Divisional Registrar at SICC, District Judge at Supreme Court of Singapore), and Karim Mariey (Member of SIAC Court of Arbitration; Partner at White & Case LLP). Drawing on their respective institutional and practice-based experiences, the speakers explored how mediation, arbitration, and litigation can be aligned to meet the needs of international parties. The conversation highlighted the importance of early dispute management, procedural flexibility, and institutional cooperation in addressing cross-border disputes involving diverse legal systems and commercial cultures.
Panel Discussion: Navigating the Energy Transition
The second panel, moderated by Thomas Snider (Partner and Head of International Arbitration at Charles Russell Speechlys), focused on dispute resolution challenges arising from renewable energy and future fuel projects. As jurisdictions accelerate their transition toward sustainable energy, projects increasingly involve complex contractual structures, long time horizons, and multiple stakeholders, making the choice and design of dispute resolution mechanisms particularly critical.
Speakers Joza Al Rasheed (Partner-in-charge at Baker Botts), Dr Minli Tang (Partner at AllBright), and Michelle Li (Head, International Arbitration, Construction & Projects (China) at Rajah & Tann Shenzhen Representative Office) shared insights on how collaborative dispute resolution approaches can support project continuity, manage risk, and address disputes in ways that align with broader sustainability and investment objectives. The discussion emphasised the value of mediation and hybrid processes in resolving disputes efficiently while maintaining long-term commercial and strategic relationships.
The session concluded with Mariam Gotsiridze from Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA), who introduced SIDRA’s first Dispute Resolution Survey that will be focusing on the MENA region. She invited participants to take part in the survey by scanning a QR code, marking the start of a new regional study aimed at gathering insights from corporate executives, in-house counsel, lawyers, and legal advisers across the MENA dispute resolution community.
(From left to right) Moderator Thomas Snider, Partner and Head of International Arbitration at Charles Russell Speechlys, Joza Al Rasheed, Partner-in-charge at Baker Botts, Michelle Li, Head, International Arbitration, Construction & Projects (China) at Rajah & Tann Shenzhen Representative Office and Dr Minli Tang, Partner at AllBright.
Continuing Engagement Across Regions
RIDW 2026 offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on the role of collaborative dispute resolution in supporting cross-border trade and investment. SIMC remains committed to contributing to these discussions through continued engagement and collaboration with partners across regions.
