Singapore

Singapore has been seeking to expand its international dispute resolution offerings and its importance as a resolution centre is reflected by the adoption of the United Nations Singapore Convention on Mediation in late 2018. It launched the SIMC in 2014 and the Singapore International Commercial Court in 2015.

Singapore has taken specific national steps to develop international commercial mediation by enacting legislation on mediation (the Mediation Act) and its subordinate legislation, the Mediation Rules, which both came into operation on 1 November 2017. The Mediation Act’s coverage includes international commercial mediation and strengthens the framework for enforcement of mediated settlements conducted in Singapore. The Mediation Act also allows parties to a mediation agreement to apply for a stay of court proceedings in relation to the same dispute.