SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic

Established in 2021, the SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic is administered by the SMU Pro Bono Centre with the help of professional mediators and SMU Law students. The clinic was proposed and set up by students from the SMU Mediation and Negotiation Club. The clinic provides pro bono (free of charge) mediation services to current SMU students to help them resolve their campus disputes.

The SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic operates on an appointment basis throughout the year (except for the months of April and November), depending on the availability of the mediator and the parties.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a dispute resolution mechanism where both parties negotiate with each other with a neutral third party (the mediator) facilitating the process. The mediator will guide the parties towards reaching a mutually beneficial solution and resolving the dispute. In contrast to a judge or arbitrator, the mediator will not make any finding or judgment, provide solutions or legal advice.

Why mediate your campus disputes with us?

If you foresee having heated arguments that lead to nowhere or cold wars with your fellow SMU schoolmate, campus mediation is an attractive alternative with the following benefits:

  1. Control over outcomes
    As a neutral third party, the volunteer mediators may provide their perspective to guide parties in understanding each other and reach consensus. You are free to look for creative and sensible ways to resolve your dispute. As mediation is a voluntary process, you can choose to settle only if both sides are satisfied with the proposed terms.
  1. Repairs/preserves relationships
    Our volunteer mediators will encourage both parties to communicate openly and guide you to work out how to move forward beyond the dispute as project group mates or schoolmates together. Any misunderstanding will be resolved peacefully.
  1. Confidentiality
    Both parties and the mediators must agree to keep what is said in the mediation session(s) confidential and not to disclose it to any outsiders without the consent from both sides.

Location

Singapore Management University
Yong Pung How School of Law
Pro Bono Centre
55 Armenian Street, Basement 2
Singapore 179943

How to contact us

To register for the SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic, you may:

  1. Call our hotline at +65 6828 1951
  2. Email us at mediationclinic [at] sa.smu.edu.sg
  3. Click on the link below to register for the SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the mediators?

The SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic will arrange for a volunteer mediator and a student mediator to jointly facilitate discussions between the parties. The volunteer mediators are professional mediators accredited by the Singapore International Mediation Institute. The student mediators are specially selected from current SMU Law students who have undergone a tailored training programme for campus mediation. Checks will be conducted to make sure that they do not have any conflicts of interest in the case.

What can I expect at the mediation session?

During the mediation session, the mediators will facilitate the discussion between both parties and encourage you to reach an amicable outcome.

Can I pick my mediators? How are they chosen?

You will not be able to choose your own mediators. The SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic will, to the best of our ability, choose the mediators best suited to assist with your case according to the subject matter and your preferred language of communication.

Can my friend attend the mediation with me?

Yes, your friend may attend the mediation session with you. You will have to inform us in advance and obtain the other party’s consent. Your friend must also agree to keep what is said at the session confidential.

What kind of disputes are eligible for the SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic?

Your dispute is eligible if it occurred on the SMU campus or relates to any school matters. Both parties to the dispute must be current students in SMU.

Can I refer my dispute to the SMU Pro Bono Centre Campus Mediation Clinic without the consent of the other party?

No, mediation is a voluntary process and it can only commence when all parties have agreed to it. However, you may contact us before getting the other party’s consent to discuss the suitability of your dispute for mediation.

Is the mediation free?

Yes, it is free of charge. You will not need to pay for the mediators’ fees, the venue rental fee, and the case management fee. These fees are all waived out of a pro bono spirit to give back to society.

Where will the mediation be held?
 

The mediation session will be conducted at the SMU Pro Bono Centre. You will be informed of the date and time of the mediation session.

How long is the mediation?

Typically, one mediation session may take around 2 to 3 hours. However, this varies depending on the progress of the session and the complexity of the dispute.

Is the mediation confidential?

Yes, the mediation is confidential. What is discussed in the mediation session between both parties and the mediators will be kept confidential according to the Mediation Act. Mediation is also “without prejudice”, meaning matters discussed and disclosed during the mediation process cannot be used against the other party in litigation or in arbitration.

Please note that an SMU Law student will be present to help with administrative issues during the session.

What will happen at the end of the mediation?

If the mediation is successful, a settlement agreement will be recorded in writing and signed by both parties. The terms of the agreement shall be followed by both parties.

For the avoidance of doubt, any agreement as a result of mediation between students will not have any binding effect on the school or SMU as they are not parties to the agreement.

Register For An Appointment