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Justice Goh Joon Seng presented the first copy of the publication commemorating the Singapore Mediation Centre's 1st Anniversary "Our First Year in Finding Solutions Together" to the Guest-of-Honour, the Honourable the Chief Justice Yong Pung How

One year has passed since the Singapore Mediation Centre ("SMC") was launched by the Honourable Chief Justice Yong Pung How. The SMC held its first anniversary celebration at the Canning Room of the Westin Stamford & Westin Plaza Hotel on Saturday, 12 September 1998. The Chief Justice graced the occasion as the Guest-of-Honour. The celebration was attended by about 200 guests, including the Judges and Judicial Commissioners of the Supreme Court, Mediators of the SMC, and prominent members of the legal and other professions.

The First Anniversary Celebration began with a welcome address by the Chairman of the SMC, the Honourable Justice Goh Joon Seng. At the end of Justice Gohís speech, His Honour presented the SMCís first anniversary commemorative book, entitled "Our First Year in Finding Solutions Together", to the Chief Justice.

Guests checking out "Our First Year in Finding Solutions Together"

"Our First Year in Finding Solutions Together" records the achievements of the SMC to date. It also acknowledges the contributions made by SMCís supporters, including its Mediators, the Advisory Committee on Construction Mediation ("ACCOM"), the Singapore Information Technology Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee ("SITDRAC"), ADR-friendly law firms, local and foreign ADR partners, and counterparts, and the SMC team.

The Guest-of-Honour, the Chief Justice then delivered his speech. At the end of his speech, the Chief Justice launched the first Mediation Week in Singapore, Mediation Week 1998.

Mediation Week 1998, held from 14 to 18 September, both dates inclusive, was the first event of its kind in Singapore. It was organised by the SMC in association with the Supreme Court, the Subordinate Courts and the Singapore Academy of Law. During Mediation Week 1998, all mediation services were provided for free. The usual mediation fees, starting from $750 per party per day, and the administration fee of $250 were both waived during Mediation Week 1998. This was possible because of the SMC Mediators who very generously volunteered their services. Also about 165 law firms and business and professional organisations sponsored the weekís activities. The response from the members of the public to Mediation Week 1998 was overwhelming, clearly demonstrating the desire for the use of a more amicable and cost-efficient method for resolving disputes. Up to 145 disputants and their representatives availed themselves of the opportunity to mediate during Mediation Week 1998 and about 100 lawyers assisted their clients at these mediations.

Another event held during Mediation Week 1998 was Campus Mediation Week ñ a programme organised in conjunction with Eagles Mediation and Counselling Centre and Temasek Polytechnic. Campus Mediation Week saw the promotion of mediation as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") in schools. The emphasis was on peer mediation. Contests and other fun-filled educational activities were organised to teach our younger generation ways to resolve differences constructively.

After the Chief Justice launched Mediation Week 1998, there was a panel discussion presented by 4 SMC Mediators. They shared their trials and tribulations and successes of mediating at the SMC. This light-hearted episode demonstrated the more unconstrained, people-oriented aspect of mediation. There was also an accreditation ceremony whereby, 15 new Mediators were accredited. A sumptuous lunch was then served to round up this happy occasion.

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