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The Importance Of Ethics In The Practice Of Mediation, Dorcas Quek Anderson
The Importance Of Ethics In The Practice Of Mediation, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
What is the predominant function of ethics for the mediation profession in Singapore? Do ethical principles assume greater significance in light of increasing institutionalisation of mediation programmes in Singapore? What can mediators, mediation advocates and mediation institutions do to ensure consistent adherence to ethical standards? These and other related issues were discussed in a webinar organised by the Singapore Academy of Law in May 2021 featuring Lim Tat, Chuan Wee Meng and this author as panellists, together with See Chern Yang as moderator. This article highlights the notable discussion points of the webinar, including the significance of mediation ethics, common …
Mediating Consumer Financial Disputes: Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre's Unique House Style, Eunice Chua, Beverly Wee
Mediating Consumer Financial Disputes: Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre's Unique House Style, Eunice Chua, Beverly Wee
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (“FIDReC”) was established in August 2005 with the purpose of providing a low-cost avenue for consumers to resolve their disputes with financial institutions. This article seeks to outline the role of FIDReC and its processes and, at the same time, seeks to define the house style of mediation that has served FIDReC well over the years. This article also highlights some of the different techniques adopted by FIDReC mediators in the course of facilitating the mediation.
Mediation: The New Normal?, Nadja Alexander
Mediation: The New Normal?, Nadja Alexander
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Imagine a tightrope walker, walking along a tightrope, holding a long, light rod. To help her balance, the performing artist continually moves the rod, changing the angle of the rod to maintain a constant – her balance in space. If she were to hold the rod in a fixed position, what would happen? She would fall off. In other words, the variation of the rod has the function of maintaining the deeper continuity which enables the artist to make it to the other end, alive. In this essay, the tightrope walker offers a metaphor for dispute resolution systems. In order …
What Users Say About Technology In Mediation: 2020 Sidra Survey, Part 3, Nadja Alexander, Allison Goh
What Users Say About Technology In Mediation: 2020 Sidra Survey, Part 3, Nadja Alexander, Allison Goh
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
In this post on the Kluwer Mediation Blog, the use and appreciation of technology in mediation among client users is analysed.
What Users Say About International Mediators And Mediation Institutions: Part 2, Nadja Alexander, Allison Goh
What Users Say About International Mediators And Mediation Institutions: Part 2, Nadja Alexander, Allison Goh
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
In this post on the Kluwer Mediation Blog, the key factors that influence users' choice of mediation institution and choice of the mediator are explored.
The Singapore Convention On Mediation: Supplying The Missing Piece Of The Puzzle For Dispute Resolution, Dorcas Quek Anderson
The Singapore Convention On Mediation: Supplying The Missing Piece Of The Puzzle For Dispute Resolution, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
In late 2018, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to adopt the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation and to make corresponding amendments to the Model Law on International Commercial Conciliation. The convention was named the Singapore Convention on Mediation (“Singapore Convention”) when it was signed by 46 countries on 7 August 2019, and will come into force on 12 September 2020. The Singapore Convention is meant to achieve for mediation what the New York Convention has done for international arbitration. Its future success is highly dependent on the sound application of its provisions by …
The Evolving Concept Of Access To Justice In Singapore’S Mediation Movement, Dorcas Quek Anderson
The Evolving Concept Of Access To Justice In Singapore’S Mediation Movement, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This article examines the key societal developments underpinning the growth of mediation in Singapore with the view to analysing the evolving conceptualisation of justice within mediation. The introduction of mediation corresponded with a shift from adversarial justice to an indigenous form of conciliatory justice, in which a respected mediator played an advisor role to the disputants and was trusted to ensure the fairness of the process. However, this trajectory was tempered by the need to ensure that Singapore mediation practice conformed with international practices concerning the protection of parties’ autonomy. The ambivalence concerning the mediator’s role has resulted in uncertainty …
Un Treaty On Mediation Signed In Singapore, Nadja Alexander, Shou Yu Chong
Un Treaty On Mediation Signed In Singapore, Nadja Alexander, Shou Yu Chong
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The Singapore Convention on Mediation is a multilateral treaty which offers a legal framework facilitating the circulation of international mediated settlement agreements (iMSAs) across national borders. The Singapore Convention achieves this by elevating iMSAs to the status of a new type of legal instrument recognised in international law: neither a contract nor a consent arbitral award, iMSAs that fall within the scope of, and that satisfy the conditions within, the Singapore Convention enjoy a unique status. As outlined below, the new Convention establishes a system for the recognition and enforcement of commercial iMSAs. This report is a follow up to …
Singapore Case Note: Enforceability Of Settlement Agreements, Nadja Alexander, Shou Yu Chong
Singapore Case Note: Enforceability Of Settlement Agreements, Nadja Alexander, Shou Yu Chong
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Since the signing of the Singapore Convention on Mediation in August this year, there has been an increased interest on the enforceability of settlement agreements, particularly those arising from mediation. The case of Law Chau Loon v Alphire Group Pte Ltd [2019] SGHC 275 from the Singapore High Court provides us with some general legal principles to consider when a settlement agreement is drafted. Although mediation did not take place between the parties in dispute, the principles stated by the High Court here remain relevant to the drafting of binding mediated settlement agreements (MSAs). This case is essential reading for …
Enforcement Of International Settlement Agreements Resulting From Mediation Under The Singapore Convention – Private International Law Issues In Perspective, Shou Yu Chong, Felix Steffek
Enforcement Of International Settlement Agreements Resulting From Mediation Under The Singapore Convention – Private International Law Issues In Perspective, Shou Yu Chong, Felix Steffek
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This article introduces the Singapore Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (“the Convention”). It discusses the enforcement of mediated settlement agreements under the Convention against the background of private international law. First, the Convention and its genesis are introduced. Second, the rationale and scope of the Convention are examined. Third, the Convention is placed in the context of private international law. Fourth, the requirements for enforcement of an international mediated settlement agreement (“IMSA”) under the Convention are laid out. Fifth, the grounds for refusal of judicial enforcement of IMSAs are examined. The article ends with a conclusion and …
Ten Trends In International Mediation, Nadja Alexander
Ten Trends In International Mediation, Nadja Alexander
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
In this essay, the author offers an international overview ofmediation developments in the 21st century and identifiescontemporary influences such as artificial intelligence andthird-party funding. With a focus on mediation ofcross-border disputes, the author identifies ten trends ininternational mediation. These include the changing profileof cross-border disputants and corresponding developmentsin international mediation practice and law. The role ofmediators and lawyers is analysed in the context of theprofessionalisation of the field through credentiallinginitiatives and the new specialisation of mediation advocacy.With the growing internationalisation of mediation, there hasbeen greater appreciation of diverse practice models and thecultural assumptions underpinning them. These developmentsare explored along with …
Supporting Party Autonomy In The Enforcement Of Cross-Border Mediated Settlement Agreements: A Brave New World Or Unchartered Territory?, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Supporting Party Autonomy In The Enforcement Of Cross-Border Mediated Settlement Agreements: A Brave New World Or Unchartered Territory?, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The last decade has seen a palpable rise of domestic and international instruments tofacilitate the enforcement of cross-border mediated settlement agreements. The EU MediationDirective required member states to provide for enforcement of such agreements. Common lawjurisdictions including Singapore, Ireland and Ontario have enacted legislation to allowmediated settlement agreements to be recorded as court judgments. Other countries haveprovided for such agreements to be akin to arbitral awards for enforcement purposes. Mostrecently, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has agreedto create multilateral convention and to amend the Model Law on International CommercialConciliation to facilitate cross-border enforcement of commercial disputes …
Expanding The Scope Of Dispute Resolution And Access To Justice, Masood Ahmed, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Expanding The Scope Of Dispute Resolution And Access To Justice, Masood Ahmed, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This note considers recent civil justice reforms in England and Singapore in enhancing the role of ADR, in particular mediation, as a means of increasing access to justice. The English and Singaporean civil justice reforms reflect the continual efforts to encourage the greater utilisation of ADR for appropriate cases. The current range of mechanisms may be charted along a “continuum of madatoriness”, ranging from compulsory attendance at mediation orientation sessions; the utilisation of costs sanctions; having an opt-out system; and mandating mediation with no exemptions. However, the English and Singaporean experiences illustrate some of the drawbacks in penalising parties for …
The Singapore Convention On Mediation - A Brighter Future For Asian Dispute Resolution, Eunice Chua
The Singapore Convention On Mediation - A Brighter Future For Asian Dispute Resolution, Eunice Chua
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
On 26 June 2018, the UnitedNations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) approved, largelywithout modification, the final drafts of the Convention on International SettlementAgreements Resulting from Mediation (the Singapore Convention) and amendmentsto the Model Law on International Commercial Mediation prepared by WorkingGroup II. These instruments aim to promote the enforceability of internationalcommercial settlement agreements reached through mediation in the same way thatthe New York Convention facilitates the recognition and enforcement ofinternational arbitration awards. This paper provides a critical analysis of theSingapore Convention and some commentary from an Asian perspective.
The Singapore Convention On Mediation - A Brighter Future For Asian Dispute Resolution, Eunice Chua
The Singapore Convention On Mediation - A Brighter Future For Asian Dispute Resolution, Eunice Chua
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
On 26 June 2018, the UnitedNations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) approved, largelywithout modification, the final drafts of the Convention on International SettlementAgreements Resulting from Mediation (the Singapore Convention) and amendmentsto the Model Law on International Commercial Mediation prepared by WorkingGroup II. These instruments aim to promote the enforceability of internationalcommercial settlement agreements reached through mediation in the same way thatthe New York Convention facilitates the recognition and enforcement ofinternational arbitration awards. This paper provides a critical analysis of theSingapore Convention and some commentary from an Asian perspective.
Book Review: The Negotiator's Desk Reference, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Book Review: The Negotiator's Desk Reference, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Negotiation theory and practice have evolved at a phenomenal pace since thepublication of Fisher and Ury’s seminal work Getting to Yes.1 The sheer breadth of topics inThe Negotiator’s Desk Reference2 (“NDR”) attests to how negotiation has advanced as a multidisciplinary field. Published in 2017 to replace its predecessor The Negotiator’s Fieldbook,3the NDR comprises 101 chapters written by very prominent academics and practitioners drawnfrom a wide range of professions, disciplines and cultures. According to its editors, more thanhalf of the contents are new, reflecting the new frontiers of the negotiation field.
Contemporary Issues In Mediation (Vol 3)Joel Lee & Marcus Lim Gen Eds, Eunice Chua
Contemporary Issues In Mediation (Vol 3)Joel Lee & Marcus Lim Gen Eds, Eunice Chua
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This is a book review of the third volume of Contemporary Issues in Mediation, published by the SingaporeInternational Mediation Institute.
How Should The Courts Know Whether A Dispute Is Ready And Suitable For Mediation? An Empirical Analysis Of The Singapore Courts’ Referral Of Civil Disputes To Mediation, Dorcas Quek Anderson, Eunice Chua, Tra My Ngo
How Should The Courts Know Whether A Dispute Is Ready And Suitable For Mediation? An Empirical Analysis Of The Singapore Courts’ Referral Of Civil Disputes To Mediation, Dorcas Quek Anderson, Eunice Chua, Tra My Ngo
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
In line with international developments in court-connected mediation, the Singapore courts have strongly supported the use of mediation and have taken steps to encourage litigants to attempt mediation. This article features the very first empirical analysis of the Singapore courts' referral of civil cases to mediation. Although focused on Singapore, the results of the study also inform the referral policies of other judiciaries that similarly engage in the practice of referring cases for mediation. The study uses a rigorous method to shed light on the crucial factors to be considered by the courts in referral practice and designing of mediation …
An Introduction To The Singapore Convention On Mediation: Perspectives From Singapore, Nadja Alexander, Shou Yu Chong
An Introduction To The Singapore Convention On Mediation: Perspectives From Singapore, Nadja Alexander, Shou Yu Chong
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
At the 51st Session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) on 25th June 2018, the final draft of the Convention on the Enforcement of International Settlement Agreements (the ‘Convention’) was recommended for submission to the UN General Assembly for its consideration, and the corresponding Model Law was adopted. A resolution to name the Convention the ‘Singapore Convention on Mediation’ was also approved. This concluded three years of vigorous debate in UNCITRAL Working Group II (Dispute Settlement) with participation by 85 member States and 35 international governmental and non-governmental organisations. The UN General Assembly has adopted …
Achieving Substantive Justice In Mediation Through Procedural Justice: An Illusory Or Realizable Goal?, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Achieving Substantive Justice In Mediation Through Procedural Justice: An Illusory Or Realizable Goal?, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Mediation has been plagued with a problem of legitimacy. Genn stated that mediation “does not contribute to substantive justice because mediation requires the parties to relinquish ideas of legal rights during mediation and focus, instead, on problem-solving”. Mediation appears to be all about procedural justice, a concept that is associated with perceptions of fair treatment. And procedural justice does not seem to have any discernible link with substantive justice, in terms of giving effect to well-accepted norms.This blog entry is drawn from a paper that was presented at the Australasian Dispute Resolution Research Network 6th Annual Roundtable and the LSAANZ …
Managing The Inter-Cultural Dimensions Of A Mediation Effectively: A Proposed Pre-Mediation Intake Instrument, Dorcas Quek Anderson, Diana Knight
Managing The Inter-Cultural Dimensions Of A Mediation Effectively: A Proposed Pre-Mediation Intake Instrument, Dorcas Quek Anderson, Diana Knight
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Being a culturally responsive mediator has become increasingly challenging amidst the growing cultural complexity within many societies. Drawing on the existing research on culture and the authors’ experiences of mediating disputes amongst diverse disputants in Australia and Singapore, this paper proposes an emic-constructivist approach for the mediator to understand the individual disputant’s unique cultural preferences. It also recommends bringing forward the exercise of understanding cultural preferences through conducting pre-mediation intake interviews. It is argued that this approach enables the mediator to embrace the parties’ cultural complexity and to design the mediation process based on their rich milieu of preferences. Finally, …
Uncitral And The Enforceability Of Imsas: The Debate Heats Up – Part 4, Anna Howard, Nadja Alexander, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Uncitral And The Enforceability Of Imsas: The Debate Heats Up – Part 4, Anna Howard, Nadja Alexander, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This is the last of four in a series of blog posts on Kluwer Mediation Blog. They were published in conjunction with the the 65th session of the UNCITRAL Working Group II on arbitration and conciliation. The Working Group has turned its attention to the settlement of commercial disputes and in particular on the preparation of an instrument on the enforcement of international commercial settlement agreements resulting from conciliation. (Note that in UNCITRAL speak, the term ‘conciliation’ is used interchangeably with ‘mediation’. ) In terms of the type of instrument, the Working Group is considering the possibility of a convention, …
When To Turn To Mediation In Telco Disputes, Dorcas Quek Anderson
When To Turn To Mediation In Telco Disputes, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The Ministry of Communications and Information(MCI) proposed the introduction of an alternative dispute resolution schemeto assist telecos and consumers in resolving their disputes. The mediationprocess is likely to be used. In response to this suggestion, Straits Times’ Tech Editor MsIrene Tham questioned whether mediation goes far enough to settle telcodisputes. This op-ed discusses the basic principles involved in the mediation process, as well as when mediation is appropriate and conversely when it is not. Recommendations are made on how to decide on the appropriate mode of dispute resolution for a particular dispute.
The State Courts Centre For Dispute Resolution: Serving The Society With Quality Dispute Resolution Services, Dorcas Quek Anderson
The State Courts Centre For Dispute Resolution: Serving The Society With Quality Dispute Resolution Services, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Court Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) has its origins in a 1994 pilot project in the Subordinate Courts (as it was known then) to have selected District Judges assist in resolving civil disputes using ADR processes. Within two decades, Court ADR has been extended to the entire gamut of cases filed in court, including civil claims, minor criminal offences and family disputes. Court ADR services, which have been known as “Court Dispute Resolution”, have become integral to the delivery of justice in the State Courts. As the Honourable The Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon has observed, ADR has been promoted as the …
Von Fischen Im Wasser Und Andere Mediationserzählungen [Of Fish In Water And Other Mediation Stories] (In German), Nadja Alexander
Von Fischen Im Wasser Und Andere Mediationserzählungen [Of Fish In Water And Other Mediation Stories] (In German), Nadja Alexander
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This essay offers an international and cross-cultural perspective on mediation. It builds on the contributions to this journal issue and extends the conversation to include (1) the role of culture in mediations models and (2) the taboo topic of directive, evaluative approaches. After reviewing various taxonomies of mediation models, the author’s mediation meta model is used as a framework to analyze diverse approaches of mediation including those presented in this issue. Historical-cultural perspectives provide further layers of depth and nuance that thicken the already complex storylines of the human mediation narrative. If mediation is to succeed in attaining truly global …
Mediation, Seng Onn Loong, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Mediation, Seng Onn Loong, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The mediation movement in Singapore was actively revived in the 1990s. Currently, mediation is not only used for private disputes but forms an integral part of the Singapore legal system. It is widely used as a mechanism of dispute resolution in courts, government departments, businesses and other specific industries.
Introducing A ‘Presumption Of Adr’ For Civil Matters In The Subordinate Courts, Joyce Low, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Introducing A ‘Presumption Of Adr’ For Civil Matters In The Subordinate Courts, Joyce Low, Dorcas Quek Anderson
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This article traces the development of court ADR programmes in the SubordinateCourts for civil disputes. It also discusses the implications of a recent PracticeDirection introducing a “Presumption of ADR”.
Dancing To The Rhythm Of The Role-Play: Applying Dance Intelligence To Conflict Resolution, Nadja Alexander, Michelle Lebaron
Dancing To The Rhythm Of The Role-Play: Applying Dance Intelligence To Conflict Resolution, Nadja Alexander, Michelle Lebaron
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The article presents information on effectiveness of dance and movement in negotiation teaching and training programs regarding conflict resolution particularly in multiple repeat mediations. Death of the Role-play, a publication, fosters enhanced creativity and methodological diversity in conflict management and mediation training. It depicts dance intelligence as useful and requisite components of conflict resolution education.
Finding The Appropriate Mode Of Dispute Resolution: Introducing Neutral Evaluation In The Subordinate Courts, Dorcas Quek Anderson, Chi-Ling Seah
Finding The Appropriate Mode Of Dispute Resolution: Introducing Neutral Evaluation In The Subordinate Courts, Dorcas Quek Anderson, Chi-Ling Seah
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) movement has gained significant traction over the last three decades and has been expanding at a rapid pace in many common law jurisdictions. The allure of ADR lies, in large part, in its recognition of litigants’ desire for self-determination and autonomy in resolving their disputes. ADR became even more attractive as dissatisfaction with the traditional court system grew. In the seminal Roscoe Pound Conference on Popular Causes of Dissatisfaction with the Administration of Justice in USA, the changing role of the courts was highlighted, casting ADR further into the spotlight.i Instead of offering only adjudication …
Opening The Mediation Window In The Arbitration House, Nadja Alexander
Opening The Mediation Window In The Arbitration House, Nadja Alexander
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Throughout the 20th century the arbitration house has dominated the landscape of international commercial dispute resolution withthe court house providing another part of the structural landscape. In the 21st century foundations are being laid for construction of a free-standing mediation house in international dispute resolution practice. Meanwhile a closer inspection of arbitration house reveals the ongoing construction of mediation and other ADR windows in its design. In this paper I explore how and why mediation windows are being built, their structural and functional soundness and the extent to which they may open up and transform arbitration.