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As of 1 April 2006, more than 1,000 cases have been referred
to the SMC. Of those mediated, about 75% were settled. The types
of cases include (but 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's institutional partners and supporters have benefited
from its services in the form of tremendous savings in costs
and time. For example, the Supreme Court alone recorded savings
of more than $18 million and 2,832 court days as at 1 April
2006. Individual disputants benefit extensively as well. The
figures provided by the Supreme Court show that the savings
in legal costs for the parties are substantial. In a High
Court case involving 2 parties, it is not uncommon for parties
to save as much as $80,000 in total.
In a study conducted at the end of 2002, 1,044 disputants
who mediated at the SMC and provided feedback, 84% reported
costs savings, 88% reported time savings and 94% would recommend
the process to other persons in the same conflict situation.
The feedback from 900 lawyers who represented their clients
and provided feedback was similar - 84% reported savings in
costs, 83% reported savings in time and 97% of the lawyers
indicated that they would recommend the process to others
in a similar situation. These numbers were consistent with
the informal feedback the SMC had been receiving from lawyers
that mediation at the SMC was a useful process and had the
support of the bar.
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