Survey results reveal Hong Kong and Singapore as ‘premier seats of arbitration’ in Asia

The Queen Mary University of London has just released the results of its most recent 2025 International Arbitration Survey, which announces the preferred rankings of international arbitration rules, seats and other key aspects of arbitration. The report is based on 2402 questionnaire responses received and 117 interviews conducted, the largest and most representative pool of participants yet.

The five most preferred seats for arbitration globally were London, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Beijing and Paris. In the Asia Pacific, Hong Kong and Singapore were equally ranked as the most preferred seat.

Karah Howard, an expert in international arbitration at Pinsent Masons, said: “Hong Kong SAR has ascended as a premier seat of arbitration in Asia Pacific, alongside Singapore, and globally has regained its position as third most preferred seat, as highlighted by the 2025 Queen Mary International Arbitration Survey.”

“The survey reveals Hong Kong SAR's preference by 31% of respondents, alongside Singapore with 31% and London’s 34% as top choices,” she said.

“This recognition underscores Hong Kong SAR’s robust legal framework and strategic significance, especially in transactions involving Mainland China. Interviewees noted Hong Kong’s privileged status as the ‘gateway to mainland China’.”

Mohan Pillay, an expert in international arbitration at Pinsent Masons MPillay, said: “In the previous 2021 Queen Mary survey, Singapore emerged as the most popular seat globally alongside London.”

“This remains the same in the latest survey,” he said.

“Singapore is ranked, with London, among the top five seats globally and is the only Asian seat listed in the top five in Europe, North America and the Caribbean/Latin America.”

The ICC’s arbitration rules were the top ranking, with 39% of responders including them as one their preferred rules, but the HKIAC and SIAC rules were close behind, each receiving votes for 25% of the arbitration professionals who responded to the survey.

Pillay said: “The survey reveals that respondents enjoyed excellent experiences with mechanisms for expediting arbitrations.”

“The SIAC rules, praised by interviewees for being innovative, include a brand-new streamlined procedure for lower value and simple claims providing for documents only arbitration,” he said.

Howard said: “The HKIAC continues to be a preferred institution, with 25% of respondents in Asia Pacific selecting its rules, equal to SIAC at 25%, with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) retaining top position at 39% of respondents.”

“The HKIAC's commitment to procedural flexibility and efficiency has made it a cornerstone in the arbitration landscape ascending it to most preferred set of arbitration rules in Asia Pacific, compared to third place in 2021, with interviewees commending the HKIAC’s sense of innovation and the Secretariat’s handling of sanctions-related disputes,” she said.

“Similarly, the Hong Kong's enhanced ranking and HKIAC's esteemed position reflect the city's ongoing efforts to foster a conducive environment for international arbitration, reinforcing its status as a leading hub for resolving cross-border disputes.”