 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction The Singapore Mediation Centre ("SMC") is the flagship mediation
centre of Singapore. It was incorporated on 8 August 1997, and
officially launched by the Honourable Chief Justice Yong Pung
How on 16 August 1997.
The SMC is a non-profit organisation guaranteed by the Singapore
Academy of Law. It is linked institutionally with many professional
and trade associations and receives the support of the Supreme
Court of Singapore, the Subordinate Courts of Singapore and
the Singapore Academy of Law.
The SMC has successfully spearheaded the mediation movement
in Singapore and is dedicated to the promotion of amicable and
efficient settlement of disputes. It aims to create an environment
in which people can work together to find enduring solutions
to conflicts and tensions created by human interactions. It
contributes to the building of a harmonious society, and a thriving
business community, by broadening awareness of, and providing
access to, constructive means of dispute resolution and conflict
management.
Mediation and Other Alternative Dispute
Resolution ServicesAs of 1 April 2006, more than 1,000 disputes were referred to
the SMC. Of those mediated, about 75% were settled. The types
of cases include (and are not limited to) banking disputes,
construction disputes, contractual disputes, corporate disputes,
contested divorces and divorce ancillary matters, employment
disputes, family disputes, information technology disputes,
insurance disputes, negligence claims, partnership disputes,
personal injury claims, shipping disputes and tenancy disputes.
The SMC has saved tremendous costs and time for its institutional
partners and supporters. For example, the Supreme Court alone
recorded a savings of more than $18 million. Individual disputants benefit extensively as well. According
to the figures provided by the Supreme Court, it is estimated
that the savings in legal costs for the parties are substantial.
In a High Court case involving 2 parties, it is not uncommon
for the parties to save as much as $80,000 in total. Our partners,
clients and supporters are appreciative of the savings that
mediation and other non-confrontational methods have produced.
In particular, they value the positive impact that the use of
non-confrontational methods of resolving disputes has on relationships
and the work environment.
Panel of Neutrals The group of people who are primarily responsible for the satisfaction
enjoyed by our partners, clients and supporters are members
on the SMC Panel of Mediators and Neutrals. The SMC has a panel
of accredited mediators and other neutrals that includes retired
Supreme Court Judges, Members of Parliament, former Judicial
Commissioners, Senior Counsel and leaders from different professions
and industries. All SMC neutrals have undergone formal mediation
training and rigorous evaluation. They are accredited and appointed
to the SMC panel only after they have been assessed to have
the necessary skills and appropriate temperament. There are
presently 108 such mediators on the SMC panel. The SMC has also
established an international panel of mediators that consists
of internationally renowned neutrals.
Training and Education Apart from helping individuals and organisations to resolve
disputes in an amicable manner, the SMC has also established
itself as a training expert in the fields of negotiation, mediation
and conflict management in Singapore and the region.
Our clients include Government Ministries and Departments, tertiary
institutions, professional and trade associations and business
organisations. The workshops conducted by the SMC continue to
receive positive feedback from the participants. For example,
in a recent 2-day pilot training programme conducted for the
Ministry of Education, 100% of the workshop participants in
a summary evaluation of the overall workshop rated it as "Very
Good" and "Excellent". 100% of the workshop participants also
rated the course instructors as "Very Good" and "Excellent"
in terms of their substantive knowledge, ability to respond
to questions effectively and ability to provide practical guidance.
The reputation of the SMC as a premier training institution
has generated training opportunities in Austria, Cambodia, Malaysia,
Malta, Mexico, the Philippines and Thailand. These workshops
conducted overseas are similarly highly rated. As a result,
the SMC has been enjoying repeated engagements from our international
clients as well.
"The judiciary has always been supportive of mediation and
will continue to do so. Mediation is here to stay. ... The public
and commercial sectors will have to shift out of the litigation
gear and be willing to attempt mediation. The Singapore Mediation
Centre should be the first stop for the parties to try to resolve
their disputes."
The Honourable Chief Justice Yong Pung How
Launch of the Singapore Mediation Centre, 16 August 1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
