FAQ

1. What is the difference between seeing a mediator and a lawyer?

The mediator’s goal is to help parties work out the best way for them to deal with, and get out of, their conflict. The mediator works to bring parties in conflict together to have an open discussion about their concerns and assists parties in moving forward. A mediator does not give legal advice nor evaluate your legal case against the other party.

A lawyer will advise you on your legal rights and remedies against the party you are in conflict with.

The Singapore court system encourages parties in conflict to use alternate dispute resolution processes like mediation before seeking legal rights and remedies against one another through the court system.

Using mediation to resolve a dispute, in general, is less costly than the legal fees involved in a court case.

2. If we do agree at the end of mediation and sign an agreement to record the points we agree on, is this binding and enforceable?

A document recording the points of agreement that parties have come to is admissible in court and may be enforceable by parties to the agreement.

3. If the mediation does not help me in my conflict, what happens?

You will still be able to pursue all the legal rights and remedies against the other party. These rights and remedies will not be taken away or reduced by your having participated in the process of mediation.  This is because the mediation process you participate in is private and confidential.  This means that all information within the mediation process cannot be shared or disclosed to anyone outside of the mediation without the consent of all who have participated in the mediation.

Secondly, participation in a mediation is without prejudice, that is, any agreement and all information that is disclosed or said during a mediation cannot be used against you in any other forum.

4. If I want to have a mediation but the party I am in conflict with doesn’t, what can I do?

Mediation is dependent on each party in the conflict being willing to participate and enter the mediation process voluntarily. Only when parties willingly participate in the process, will the resulting agreement on the way forward and out of the conflict be of sufficient meaning so that parties will carry out its terms.

If the other party is unwilling to try mediation, you can come for a 1-hour session where our Mediation Specialist can assist you to manage the dispute better.  Our Mediation Specialist will help you process the conflict and teach you skills to communicate better with the parties you are in conflict with.

If feasible, our Mediation Specialist can help you to contact the unwilling party to explain the mediation process, with a view to persuading such a party to try the mediation process.  This service is chargeable at $40 per call.

5. How can I start the process of mediation?

Please click on the Mediation Enquiry Form and submit your details accordingly. Our Intake Officer will contact you to arrange a 1-hour consult session with our Mediation Specialist to begin the process.

Contact Us

Mediation Enquiry Form