Germany
On October 7, 2024, Germany’s Legal Venue Strengthening Act was signed into law, establishing commercials courts in Germany. There is a 500,000 euro value threshold for disputes to qualify for Germany’s commercial courts, which can also hear disputes between companies and their management. Exclusions from commercial court jurisdiction include business law cases that have a legal effect on third parties. The law also permits the use of the English language in certain civil proceedings.
For more information, please visit https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2024-10-20/germany-new-law-establishes-commercial-courts-and-allows-english-in-some-court-proceedings/
Singapore
2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), which was established on January 5, 2015. SICC provides international litigants with a neutral forum for cross-border commercial disputes, including disputes governed by foreign law. SICC combines elements of arbitration and litigation to provide flexible and tailored dispute resolution. Disputes are heard by local and international judges specializing in commercial disputes, and foreign lawyers may practice before SICC in certain circumstances.
Singapore commemorated the anniversary at the SICC Conference 2025. More information is available at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/news-and-resources/news/news-details/joint-media-release–singapore-international-commercial-court-marks-its-10th-anniversary-with-conference-on-transnational-commercial-justice-and-dispute-resolution
Credit: Lee Applebaum
Posted by Doug Toering and Brian Markham of Mantese Honigman, P.C.
