Why Choose Us
The Advantages of a Considered Process
Dispute resolution through mediation and arbitration offers substantive advantages over litigation — in cost, time, confidentiality, and outcomes that parties can live with.
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What Batik Partners Brings to Each Matter
These are not general claims — they reflect the specific structure of our practice and the professional standards we apply across every engagement.
Accredited Practitioners
All our mediators and arbitration counsel hold formal accreditations and operate under applicable professional codes, including the SMC's standards.
Faster Resolution
Most mediated commercial matters conclude within four to six weeks. Arbitration, while longer, remains significantly faster than court proceedings for comparable disputes.
Private Proceedings
All sessions and correspondence are subject to confidentiality obligations. Commercial information, negotiating positions, and the existence of the dispute itself are protected.
Cost-Proportionate Fees
Our fees are set with reference to the scope and complexity of each matter. We provide fee estimates at the outset and discuss scope before additional work is undertaken.
Cross-Border Experience
We have handled matters involving parties from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Greater China, the Middle East, and Europe — administered under SIAC, ICC, and HKIAC rules.
Enforceable Outcomes
Settlement agreements are drafted with enforceability in mind. Arbitral awards issued in Singapore are recognised and enforceable in over 170 countries under the New York Convention.
Practitioner Expertise
Experience That Is Particular, Not General
Dispute resolution is a distinct practice. Our practitioners are not generalists who occasionally mediate — they have spent careers developing the specific skills that effective facilitation and advocacy require. Rajan Krishnamurthy has been involved in over two hundred commercial mediation sessions. Serena Choo has appeared as counsel in arbitrations with seat in Singapore, London, and Hong Kong.
- Accredited mediators and trained arbitration counsel
- Industry-specific knowledge across construction, finance, and commercial sectors
- Regular participation in institutional training and professional development
Process & Technology
A Structured Approach at Each Stage
We use a defined intake and preparation process for every matter. Parties receive clear documentation of what to expect, what they are asked to prepare, and how the session will be conducted. This reduces uncertainty and helps parties arrive at the table in the right frame of mind.
- Pre-session consultation for all parties
- Structured agenda and time allocation
- Secure document handling and case management
Client Service
Clear Communication Throughout
We respond to enquiries within one business day. Parties are kept informed at each stage of the process. We do not use complex legal language where plain language will suffice, and we are candid when the nature of a matter makes a particular outcome unlikely.
- Named point of contact for each matter
- Regular progress updates and clear timelines
- Honest assessment of likely outcomes and process options
Value & Pricing
Fee Transparency From the Start
We provide a written fee estimate before work commences on any matter. Where additional scope arises, we discuss it before proceeding. Our services start at S$180 for a commercial mediation session, with arbitration representation priced according to the scope of the proceedings.
- Written fee estimates prior to engagement
- No surprise charges for standard correspondence
- Significantly lower overall cost compared to litigation for equivalent matters
Results & Outcomes
Outcomes That Hold
Mediated settlement agreements reflect what the parties have themselves agreed. This makes them considerably more likely to be honoured than imposed judgments. Arbitral awards carry the weight of the New York Convention, providing enforcement pathways in over 170 jurisdictions.
- Party-owned settlement agreements in mediation
- Arbitral awards enforceable under New York Convention
- Lower re-litigation rates compared to court judgments
Comparison
How Facilitated Resolution Differs
A direct comparison between what parties typically encounter in litigation versus what Batik Partners provides.
| Feature | Typical Litigation | Batik Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Confidentiality | ||
| Timeline (typical commercial matter) | 1–3 years | 4–12 weeks |
| Party control over outcome | ||
| Preservation of commercial relationship | ||
| Cross-border enforceability | Jurisdiction-dependent | |
| Fee transparency at outset | ||
| Flexible scheduling |
What Sets Us Apart
Distinctive Features of Our Practice
Singapore Convention Alignment
As a Singapore-based practice, we draft settlement agreements with the specific requirements of the Singapore Convention on Mediation in mind — enabling cross-border enforcement without separate court proceedings in signatory states.
Pre-Dispute Engagement
We are willing to engage with parties at a very early stage — before positions have hardened — to assess whether a negotiated pathway is feasible. This early involvement often changes the trajectory of a dispute significantly.
Multi-Jurisdictional Familiarity
Our team has worked on matters governed by English, Singapore, Indian, and PRC law, giving us practical familiarity with how legal systems shape parties' expectations and risk assessments.
Referral-Friendly Structure
We work comfortably alongside referring legal counsel, maintaining clear boundaries between our role and that of party representatives — and never soliciting the underlying legal retainer.
Recognition
Professional Standing
200+
Commercial mediation sessions facilitated
12
Years serving Singapore's commercial community
94%
Of mediated matters reaching a settlement agreement
18+
Jurisdictions represented in arbitration proceedings
SMC Accredited Mediators
Singapore Mediation Centre
SIAC Panel Appointments
Singapore International Arbitration Centre
Law Society Members
Law Society of Singapore
Take the Next Step
These Benefits Apply to Your Matter
A brief conversation is often enough to determine whether mediation, arbitration, or direct negotiation is the appropriate pathway. We are here to help you think it through.
Discuss Your Situation