The Seminar on Cost Management in Construction Disputes at SIAC was successfully held

On April 9, 2025, as part of HICAC 2025, CNC Counsel successfully hosted a seminar titled “Techniques for Cost Management in Construction Disputes at SIAC” at Vien Dong Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City. The event garnered the attention of lawyers, legal experts, engineers, and representatives from enterprises operating in the fields of construction, investment, and commercial arbitration.

The seminar not only provided updates on the new features of the SIAC Arbitration Rules 2025, but also focused on discussing effective cost management strategies — a critical issue in international construction disputes.

Speakers at the Seminar “Techniques for Cost Management in Construction Disputes at SIAC”

Topic presented at the Seminar “Techniques for Cost Management in Construction Disputes at SIAC”:

Session 1: Introduction to SIAC Arbitration and Innovations under the SIAC Rules 2025, presented by Ms. Mah Sue Ann – Senior Strategy & Development Manager (Legal), SIAC

Section 2: 5 Ways to Optimize Costs in SIAC Arbitration for Vietnamese Parties, presented by Mr. Le The Hung – Managing Partner, CNC Counsel

Section 3: Legal Tips on Cost Management under SIAC Rules, presented by Mr. Kelvin Aw – Partner, CMS (Singapore)

Section 4:  Considerations around cost when engaging experts in SIAC arbitration, presented by Mr. Maximilian D. Benz – Quantum Expert, SJA (Singapore)

CNC Counsel – Bridging international expertise with the practical demands of Vietnamese enterprises

Presenting at the seminar, Mr. Le The Hung – Managing Partner of CNC Counsel – gave his opinions:

“We aim to disseminate official information, and more importantly, to create opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to, in a manner similar to that of international enterprises, access and resolve disputes fairly and effectively.”

 — Mr. Le The Hung giving his speech at the Seminar —

In the context of Vietnamese enterprises increasingly participating in large-scale and cross-border projects, keeping up with changes in international arbitration rules, with the notable example being the SIAC 2025 Rules, will facilitate further proactivity and efficiency in dispute resolution strategies.

Session 1. Introduction to SIAC Arbitration and Innovations under the SIAC Rules 2025

At the seminar, Ms. Mah Sue Ann – Senior Strategy & Development Manager (Legal), SIAC – provided a detailed overview of the notable updates in the SIAC 2025 Arbitration Rules, including:

• Preliminary determination mechanism, which enables the Arbitral Tribunal to quickly decide on clear-cut legal issues, significantly saving time and costs;
• Expedited procedure, applicable to low-value disputes or when agreed upon by the parties, to simplify the resolution process;
• Emergency interim relief, an improved procedure that allows parties to request urgent measures even before submitting a Notice of Arbitration, offering greater flexibility;
• Updates on timelines and proceedings, aiming to shorten response times and ensure final awards are issued within a specific timeframe, thereby accelerating the dispute resolution process.

Ms. Mah Sue Ann – SIAC’s Representative – giving her speech at the Seminar

Ms. Mah emphasized that these innovations reflect SIAC’s ongoing efforts to enhance procedural efficiency, improve flexibility and transparency, while also meeting the increasingly high expectations of the international enterprise community.

Section 2. 5 Ways to Optimize Costs in SIAC Arbitration for Vietnamese Parties

In his specialized presentation, Mr. Le The Hung, based on his practical experience in counseling and representing Vietnamese enterprises, shared five strategies to optimize costs in SIAC arbitration as follows:

• Select an appropriate procedure, making use of the expedited or streamlined procedure when applicable to save time and costs;
• Prepare the documents thoroughly, as clear and complete documentation would allow enterprises to reduce time spent on requesting additional information and avoid unnecessary disputes;
• Make effective use of experts, engaging experts at the right time and avoiding overlapping roles would help avoid unnecessary increases in costs.
• Manage your document and evidence, incorporating technology into the management for more efficiency, which helps save the costs of printing and storage
• Agree on the costs with the lawyers and relevant parties in advance to avoid unexpected costs.

He noted that while these strategies may sound straightforward, they are not easy to implement without experience or lawyers who are familiar with SIAC arbitration procedures.

Section 3. Legal Tips on Cost Management under SIAC Rules

Mr. Kelvin Aw, a Partner at CMS (Singapore), offered a structured perspective on arbitration cost management, drawing from years of professional experience:

• Arbitration costs should not be treated as a mere “afterthought”; rather, they should be planned from the early stages of the project.
• Proper budgeting, effective progress and evidence management are key factors in optimizing arbitration-related financials.
• Particularly for Vietnamese enterprises, he emphasized the risk of “reactive handling,” which often leads to unnecessary waste of resources.

Mr. Kelvin Aw giving his speech at the Seminar

Section 4.  Considerations around cost when engaging experts in SIAC arbitration

Wrapping up the sharing session, Mr. Maximilian D. Benz, a Quantum Expert at SJA (Singapore), provided an in-depth analysis of the role and key considerations when engaging technical experts in complex construction disputes.

“An expert is a strategic weapon, but if misused, they can become a liability.”

For Vietnamese parties in particular, he recommended selecting experts who are capable of presenting arguments clearly and logically, with experience appearing before international arbitration tribunals. This ensures that their testimony carries weight and is properly assessed by the tribunal.

Mr. Maximilian D. Benz – Quantum Expert, SJA (Singapore)

CNC – Gradual Consolidation of Market Position through Dispute Resolution Expertise

With years of experience assisting enterprises in handling disputes at international arbitration institutions, including SIAC, CNC Counsel not only possesses a thorough understanding of arbitration procedures but also the capability to optimize strategy and costs for each client. Today’s achievements reflect a persistent journey of supporting enterprises through legal challenges.

The recent seminar was not just an opportunity for CNC to share updates on the SIAC Rules; it was also a strong demonstration of the CNC legal team’s expertise in international dispute resolution.

Sharing information on the SIAC 2025 Rules is a necessary step in equipping the enterprise community in Vietnam with a solid legal foundation. It also serves as an opportunity for lawyers, lecturers, and law students to learn about new international arbitration standards, contributing to the development of a high-quality workforce in the legal industry of Vietnam.

The seminar drew special attention from professionals and users worldwide. Due to its high level of interest and influence, the event was also covered by several reputable media outlets such as the Journal of Construction, Vietnam Lawyer Journal, and Cong Ly Media.

Some pictures taken at the Seminar “Techniques for Cost Management in Construction Disputes at SIAC”

The seminar concluded successfully

Link to the picture collection: Pictures from Seminar Techniques for Cost Management in Construction Disputes at SIAC