Established in 2021, the SMU Pro Bono Centre 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 the financially disadvantaged in Singapore.
The SMU Pro Bono Centre 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 mediation?
Mediation is a good alternative to litigation with these benefits:
- Saves time and costs
At this stage, lawyers need not be involved, and most mediated disputes can reach settlement within one session. Litigation meanwhile can incur high legal fees and drawn out proceedings that take months or even years to conclude.
- Control over outcomes
You are free to look for creative and sensible ways to resolve your dispute with the help of the volunteer mediators. As mediation is a voluntary process, you can choose to settle only if both sides are satisfied with the proposed terms.
- Preserves business/personal relationships
The volunteer mediators will encourage you to communicate openly and express how you think the relationship should move forward beyond the dispute. Hence, mediation is very useful if both sides have to continue to work together or have a long-standing relationship and do not wish to sour the relationship through litigation.
- Confidentiality
What is discussed in the mediation session(s) will be kept confidential according to the Mediation Act. Mediation is a “without prejudice” process, meaning matters discussed and disclosed during the mediation process cannot be used against the other party in litigation or in arbitration.
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 Mediation Clinic, you may:
- Call our hotline at +65 6828 1951
- Email us at mediationclinic [at] sa.smu.edu.sg
- Click on the link below to register for the SMU Pro Bono Centre Mediation Clinic.
Frequently asked questions
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Who are the mediators? |
The SMU Pro Bono Centre Mediation Clinic will arrange for a volunteer mediator to facilitate discussion between the parties. The volunteer mediators are professional mediators accredited by the Singapore International Mediation Institute. |
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What can I expect at the mediation session? |
During the mediation session, the volunteer mediator will facilitate the discussion between both parties and encourage you to reach an amicable outcome. |
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Can I pick my mediator? How are they chosen? |
You will not be able to choose your own mediator. The SMU Pro Bono Centre Mediation Clinic will, to the best of our ability, choose the mediator best suited to assist with your case according to the subject matter and your preferred language of communication. |
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Can my lawyer attend the mediation with me? |
There is no need for your lawyer to attend the mediation session with you. If you have hired a lawyer for your case, mediation in the clinic may not be suitable for you. Please check with our staff. |
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Am I eligible for the SMU Pro Bono Centre Mediation Clinic? |
In general, the clinic deals with disputes involving not more than SGD 25,000. Criminal matters are not handled by the clinic. After you register the case, the SMU Pro Bono Centre Mediation Clinic will confirm if your case is accepted for mediation. |
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Can I refer my dispute to the SMU Pro Bono Centre 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. |
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Is the mediation free? |
Yes, it is free of charge. You will not need to pay for the mediator’s fee, the venue rental fee, and the case management fee. These fees are waived out of a pro bono spirit to give back to society. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Is the mediation confidential? |
Yes, the mediation is confidential. What is discussed in the mediation session between both parties and the mediator 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. |
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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 all parties. |