A 25-member delegation of Indian lawyers from Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, led by Mr. Suvir Sidhu, Founder of Upaay, successfully concluded a five-day legal learning and exchange visit to Singapore from October 22–26, 2025. The visit marked an important milestone in advancing India’s “Look East Policy” and coincided with the 60th anniversary of India–Singapore diplomatic relations.
The delegation engaged extensively with Singapore’s judicial, professional, and dispute-resolution institutions. Their itinerary included visits to the Supreme Court of Singapore, State Courts, Family Justice Courts, and the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), where members observed proceedings and exchanged insights on comparative judicial practices.
Meetings were also held with the President and Executive Committee of The Law Society of Singapore, as well as partners from leading law firms including TSMP Law Corporation, Drew & Napier LLC, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, and WongPartnership LLP. The group visited premier ADR institutions such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), along with the High Commission of India and Pro Bono SG, Singapore’s national legal aid body.
Discussions during the visit spanned key themes including cross-border litigation and arbitration, the 2025 SIAC Rules, mediation capacity-building, technology and AI in legal services, and access to justice.
At Maxwell Chambers, Mr. Sidhu presented a letter of acknowledgment from the Chairman of the Bar Council of India to Ms. Lisa Sam, President of The Law Society of Singapore. Both sides expressed intent to explore joint professional development programmes and deepen institutional cooperation.
The visit coincided with the tenth anniversary of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and the 40th anniversary of Pro Bono SG, where Mr. Sidhu received a commemorative volume marking the occasion.
Key outcomes of the exchange include:
• Initiation of training and internship pathways for Indian lawyers and law students;
• Facilitation of research collaborations and professional exchanges, particularly focused on North India;
• Strengthening of partnerships among ADR institutions in both jurisdictions.
The delegation also included two law students—one each from University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University, and Jindal Global Law School—reflecting Upaay’s commitment to nurturing young legal talent and exposing them to global best practices early in their careers.
Speaking at the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Sidhu said:
“This exchange reinforced the shared values of professionalism, ethics, and innovation that define both jurisdictions. Our interactions in Singapore have opened new pathways for collaboration in education, ADR, and access to justice.”
The initiative underlines Upaay’s continued efforts to promote excellence, ethics, and accessibility in justice delivery, while strengthening India–Singapore legal ties for the decade ahead.
For more information about Upaay and its initiatives, visit www.upaay.co