Annual Review of Singapore Construction Law Developments - 2024 Edition

We are pleased to announce the publication of the 2024 edition of our Annual Review of Singapore Construction Law Developments. Now in its fourth year, this publication provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of the most significant legal developments in Singapore construction law over the past year, with a particular focus on issues affecting projects or proceedings governed by Singapore law.

This year’s edition addresses a broad spectrum of topics reflecting the dynamic nature of the construction industry. Key highlights include developments in the interpretation of contracts - particularly the admissibility of extrinsic evidence and the role of antecedent agreements - alongside the Court of Appeal’s first reported decision on COVID-19 business interruption insurance claims. The review also covers important judgments clarifying the fraud exception to payment obligations under letters of credit, the high threshold for restraining calls on performance bonds on grounds of unconscionability, and the interplay between bond beneficiaries’ rights under bond and the underlying construction contract in the context of arbitration proceedings and stay applications. Further, it examines issues relating to the completion of works, limitation periods and warranty obligations for latent defects, and the statutory adjudication regime under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act.

Additionally, the publication reviews recent decisions on setting aside arbitral awards, underscoring the limited grounds for court intervention and the importance of procedural fairness. The 2024 edition also introduces the new SIAC Arbitration Rules 2025, highlighting key innovations designed to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase flexibility in arbitration proceedings.

Previous editions of the Annual Review of Singapore Construction Law Developments can be accessed here.