SIAC Rules (2025, 7th Edition) — Statement of Defence
Archetype: Pleading
This document is prepared under the SIAC Rules (2025, 7th Edition), effective 1 January 2025. The Pleading archetype sets out bare material facts and traverse only, with no legal argument; contrast the Memorial archetype.
This template numbers every paragraph, including optional ones, as though included. Delete any paragraph or clause that does not apply to this filing and renumber sequentially before submission.
Preliminary Matters
Include the following paragraph only if the Respondent elects, pursuant to Rule 7.2 of the SIAC Rules (2025, 7th Edition), to include its Statement of Defence (and Statement of Counterclaim, if any) in its Response:
The Respondent elects to include its Statement of Defence in its Response to the Notice of Arbitration. This election is optional for the Respondent under Rule 7.2, in contrast to the Claimant's position under Rule 6.4.
This arbitration may proceed under the Streamlined Procedure or the Expedited Procedure. If either applies, confirm the applicable timetable with the Registrar or Tribunal before filing this Statement of Defence.
Jurisdiction Gate — Time-Bar Warning. Any jurisdictional objection is governed by Rule 31.2(a) of the SIAC Rules (2025, 7th Edition), which is dual-limbed: an objection to jurisdiction must be raised no later than in a Statement of Defence or, with respect to a counterclaim, in a Statement of Defence to a Counterclaim. Confirm which limb applies before filing.
STATEMENT OF DEFENCE
Where a counterclaim is pleaded within this document (see Section 12 below), the title should read "STATEMENT OF DEFENCE AND STATEMENT OF COUNTERCLAIM."
SIAC Case No.: [Insert case number, if assigned]
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION UNDER THE SIAC RULES (2025, 7th EDITION)
BETWEEN
[Claimant's name] of
[Claimant's address]
("Claimant")
— and —
[Respondent's name] of
[Respondent's address]
("Respondent")
Submitted on behalf of the Respondent by: [Representative's title] [Representative's name]
Date: [Date]
Introduction
This Statement of Defence is submitted pursuant to Rule 33.3, pleading material facts only.
Third-Party Funding Disclosure
Pursuant to Rule 38.1 of the SIAC Rules (2025, 7th Edition), the Respondent discloses that no third-party funding agreement exists as at the date of this Statement of Defence.
Where a third-party funding agreement exists, substitute the following for paragraph 2: Pursuant to Rule 38.1 of the SIAC Rules (2025, 7th Edition), the Respondent discloses the existence of a third-party funding agreement. The identity and contact details of the funder are [funder details].
The Parties
[Admit/deny identity of the parties as pleaded.]
Jurisdiction
No jurisdictional objection is raised.
Where the Respondent objects to jurisdiction, substitute the following for paragraph 4: The Respondent objects to jurisdiction on the following basis: [bare factual and legal basis — no argument].
General Traverse
Save as expressly admitted below, the Respondent denies each allegation in the Statement of Claim.
Paragraph-by-Paragraph Reply
Use "Not Admitted" for allegations outside the Respondent's own knowledge, rather than a positive denial.
SoC ¶ | Allegation (summary) | Response |
Material Facts (Respondent's Version)
[Bare facts only.]
Affirmative Defences
Affirmative Defence 1: [bare basis].
Include the following paragraph only if the Respondent pleads set-off:
Set-Off. Pleaded in the amount of [amount], as a defence pursuant to Rule 33.3(b) — kept separate from any counterclaim pleaded in Section 12 below.
Loss and Damage Response
Position on [amount]: [admit / dispute].
Statement of Counterclaim
Include the following section only if the Respondent pleads a counterclaim. This reuses the pleading-archetype element set; there is no free-standing "Statement of Counterclaim" article in the SIAC Rules — the basis is Rule 33.3.
Material facts supporting the counterclaim. [Insert.]
Breach alleged. [Bare characterisation.]
Relief and quantum. [amount].
Relief Sought
The Respondent seeks: (a) dismissal of the Statement of Claim; (b) [amount] on the Counterclaim; (c) costs; and (d) further or other relief.
Delete limb (b) if no counterclaim is pleaded, and re-letter accordingly.
Reservations
The Respondent reserves the right to amend or supplement this Statement of Defence pursuant to Rule 33.5.
Annexure Schedule
Pursuant to Rule 33.7 of the SIAC Rules (2025, 7th Edition), this Statement of Defence shall be accompanied by copies of all supporting documents that have not previously been submitted by any party. The Tribunal may, after considering the views of the parties, further direct that this submission be accompanied by supporting witness statements and expert reports.
Respectfully submitted,
[Representative's title] [Representative's name]
On behalf of the Respondent
Date: [Date]
Seat Overlay
SIAC being the administering institution does not mean the seat of arbitration is Singapore — confirm the seat under the arbitration agreement and insert the applicable seat-law overlay accordingly.
5.0 out of 5 on Google
Read reviewsAs seen in
Frequently asked questions
A template isn't binding on its own - like any contract, it becomes binding once it's properly completed and signed. Templates in our curated library are professionally drafted for US or UK law; review any template before you sign it.
Yes. Chat with GitLaw to edit any section, or make changes directly in the editor.
Yes, read about team plans here.
Describe what you need in the chat and GitLaw will draft it for you.
Templates in our curated library are professionally drafted for US or UK law. The wider library comes from the GitLaw community and public sources - a solid starting point, but check any template fits your situation before you rely on it.
Mostly US and UK law. Some templates use general commercial terms that work across jurisdictions, and many note which law they're written for.
It depends on the situation. Templates work well for routine business agreements. For anything involving significant money, complex IP, employment, or areas you're unsure about, it's worth getting professional advice before you sign. GitLaw provides templates and tools, not legal advice.
Open any template in GitLaw and describe the change you want in the chat — 'make clause 4 mutual' or 'add a 30-day notice period', for example. GitLaw drafts the revised language and shows it as a suggested edit. You accept, reject, or keep editing from there.
Yes. Upload a Word, PDF, or Markdown file and GitLaw will open it in the editor. You can review, edit, or chat with GitLaw about it the same way you would with any template from the library.
Trusted by thousands of businesses
From template to signed, in one place
Every template opens in an editor with an AI agent alongside it.
Open
Pick a template and open it. Nothing to download, and no credit card to start.
Free to open
Edit with AI
Describe your situation in chat and the agent adapts the wording, clause by clause.
Tracked changes you can review
Send and sign
Share it for negotiation, then collect signatures without leaving GitLaw.
eSign included
Built for your legal work, with practicing lawyers
Trained on 5.5K+ clauses and specialist areas of law. Built with a standards committee of independent lawyers.
As seen in
Start free
No sales calls, no credit card. Just chat with GitLaw.
GitLaw provides templates and tools, not legal advice. Templates are a starting point, not a substitute for advice on your situation - for anything significant, speak to a qualified lawyer.