Singapore Mediation Centre
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (March 2014) |
| Abbreviation | SMC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1997 |
| Services | Mediation |
Chairperson | Belinda Ang |
Executive Director | Loong Seng Onn |
| Website | http://www.mediation.com.sg |
Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) is a not-for-profit organisation structured as a company limited by the guarantee of the Singapore Academy of Law.[1]
Background
In 1996, a cross-profession committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) chaired by then Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, was formed to study how mediation in Singapore could be promoted outside the courts. The Committee made two main recommendations. One of which was the creation of a commercial mediation centre under the Singapore Academy of Law. This centre, the Singapore Mediation Centre, was launched on 16 August 1997. SMC is limited by the guarantee of the Singapore Academy of Law, a body presided by the Chief Justice of Singapore and governed by a Senate, most of whose members are also judges of the Supreme Court.[2]
Present Day
SMC is located within the Supreme Court's premises. Mediations at the SMC is usually held at the mediation chambers in the Supreme Court. Mediation provides strategic conflict management in which parties can resolve their own disputes, including commercial, contractual, or matrimonial disputes with the help of a neutral third party. The mediator acts only as a facilitator to guide and regulate the process. The outcome of the mediation is determined by the parties themselves. Mediation is an interest-based approach that is non-confrontational, and focuses on solving problems in regards to the parties' interest. Examples of mediation services are the Pilot Healthcare Scheme, which offers subsidised mediation services for disputes between patients and healthcare institutions, and mediation for disputes arising from the Personal Data Protection Act.[3]
SMC is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Justice Belinda Ang; and assisted by a Board of Advisors who provide strategic advice to enable SMC to achieve its mission.[4] SMC has 3 panels of mediators, classed as International, Principal and Associate Mediators.[5]
In 2015, SMC handled a record 337 cases — the highest number since it opened in 1997. 49 matters were related to construction disputes.[6]
References
- ^ "Singapore Law: Singapore Mediation Centre". Singapore Academy of Law. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ "Laws of Singapore: Chapter 03 Mediation". Singapore Academy of Law. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ Mediation centre to focus on business disputes
- ^ "About Us". Singapore Mediation Centre. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ "Mediators and Neutrals". Singapore Mediation Centre. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ [1]
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