Comparing the international commercial courts of China with the Singapore international commercial court

Abstract

The article critically reviews the litigation framework of the Chinese International Commercial Court ('CICC') using a comparative approach, taking as a benchmark the Singapore International Commercial Court ('SICC')-another Asian international commercial court situated within the Belt and Road Initiative ('BRI') geography. It argues that the CICC, despite being lauded as a visionary step toward an innovative, efficient and trustworthy dispute resolution system, does not live up to those grand claims on closer scrutiny. The discussion shows that the CICC is in many respects insular and conservative when compared with the SICC. The distinctions between the two litigation frameworks may be explained by the differences in objectives. Whereas the SICC was created to compete for international judicial business and bolster Singapore as a leading dispute resolution hub, the CICC is presently designed to provide a legal safeguard in BRI disputes with Chinese elements. This article also identifies major challenges confronting the CICC and sets out proposals for change.