FAQs

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What does the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) do?

• The Community Mediation Centre (CMC), a centre under the Ministry of Law, offers mediation service to residents in Singapore facing relational and community disputes.
  
  There is no cost for the service.

What are the benefits of mediation?

• Mediation at the CMC offers the following benefits:

  • Location: We offer in-person mediation at 21 locations islandwide. Virtual mediation is an option for less complex disputes.

  • Time: A mediation session takes about 2 to 4 hours.
    It is available on Mondays to Fridays and on Saturday mornings.

  • Privacy: Matters discussed during mediation and identity of the parties are kept confidential.

  • Cost: It is free.

Do I need evidence to lodge a case with the CMC?

• You do not have to produce any evidence before applying for mediation at the CMC.

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What are the disputes that are suitable for mediation at the CMC?

• Mediation at the CMC is a viable option for resolving disputes between neighbours, family members, friends, co-workers, landlords, tenants or other interpersonal relationships.
  
  However, it is not suitable for contractual or commercial disputes.

For a more comprehensive list of the types of disputes that are appropriate for mediation at the CMC, please click here.

Why is the CMC accepting a mediation application without carrying out any investigations?

• The CMC does not carry out investigations. Our primary focus is on facilitating discussions between disputing parties.
  
  Through mediation, we aim to help parties communicate effectively, explore solutions and reach mutually beneficial agreements.

Can the CMC accept cases involving neighbour disputes in private condominium or landed property?

• We accept cases involving neighbour disputes both in public and private estates which include landed properties, condominiums and private apartments.

Can the CMC mediate if I have a dispute with my main tenant or landlord?

• We provide mediation service for non-contractual disputes between landlords and tenants and between co-tenants.
  
  Do check with us on the specific eligibility criteria and procedures related to your dispute, before applying for mediation.

Do I need evidence to lodge a case with the CMC?

• You do not have to produce any evidence before applying for mediation at the CMC.

How many people can attend the mediation session?

• Excluding family disputes, we allow up to two persons from each party, who are directly involved with the dispute, to attend the mediation session.

• For a satellite mediation session, only one person from each party will attend the session.

Can I get my family members/agent to attend the mediation session on my behalf?

• If your family member or agent has been issued with a Power of Attorney to manage your affairs, you can authorise them to attend the session on your behalf.

• For all other reasons, please contact us.

• For Court-Directed Mediation, only parties named in the Order of Court will attend the mediation session.

Can I get a lawyer to attend the mediation with me?

• At the CMC, lawyers are not allowed to attend the mediation sessions with the parties.
  
  If you require legal advice, it is advisable to seek it separately before the mediation session.

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What happens after I apply for mediation?

When an application for voluntary mediation is received at the CMC, the process is as follows:

• Acknowledgment: You will receive an acknowledgment of your application.

• Assessment: We will assess your case to determine its suitability for mediation.

• Invitation to the other party (Respondent): If your application is found suitable for mediation at the CMC, we will invite the Respondent for mediation and update you on the outcome of the respondent.

• Scheduling: When both parties agree to attend mediation, we will schedule a mediation session and inform you of the date, time and location.

• Mediation Session: On the scheduled date, you and the Respondent will meet with our mediator.  The mediator will facilitate a discussion between both parties, in an attempt to foster greater understanding and possibly an amicable resolution.

• Outcome: Once an agreement is reached, our mediator will document the terms. You will have the opportunity to review the document before signing it. You will also receive a copy of the signed agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, we will close the session respectfully. You may choose to explore other options to address the dispute, which may include seeking legal advice or proceeding to file an application with the Courts.  

• Follow-up: If required, the CMC may offer follow-up mediation sessions.

If the Respondent ignores or declines the CMC invitation, what are my other options? Can I bring the case up to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT)?

• For voluntary mediation, we can only proceed to arrange a mediation session when both parties are willing to participate.
  
  Non-Neighbour Disputes
  If the Respondent declines or fails to respond to a mediation invitation, you may choose to explore other options to address the dispute, which may include seeking legal advice or proceeding to file an application with the Courts. 
  
  Neighbour Disputes from Tampines (During Pilot Phase)
  If the Respondent declines or fails to respond to a mediation invitation, you can seek the assistance of the Community Relations Unit (CRU) by calling their hotline at 3300 3300, between 9am to 9pm on weekdays.
  
  Neighbour Disputes from all other Towns (During Pilot Phase)
  If the Respondent declines or fails to respond, we will issue you with an outcome letter. You have the option to file a claim at the CDRT.

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What happens during mediation?

• This is the CMC mediation process. 

  • Registration: Arrive at least 20 minutes before the session. Our officer will receive you, verify the identities of the parties and make sure everything is in order before the start of the mediation session.

  • Opening Statement: Our mediator will invite you into the mediation room where you and the other party will be seated. The mediator will then begin with an opening statement which includes an explanation on the mediation process and some ground rules.

  • Joint Session: The Applicant will start with his/her sharing of the issues that have come for mediation. Then the Respondent will have an opportunity to respond. Our mediator(s) will help to summarise the key issues raised.  

  • Private Session: If there are sensitive matters that require a private discussion, the mediator may speak to each party separately. Matters revealed during a private session are kept confidential unless permission is given to reveal such information. Our mediator may alternate between joint and private sessions to explore different solutions with both parties. 

  • Conclusion:
    
    Settlement with an agreement
    Once an agreement is reached, our mediator will document the terms. You will have the opportunity to review the document before signing it. You will also receive a copy of the signed agreement.
    
    No settlement
    If an agreement cannot be reached, we will close the session respectfully. You may choose to explore other options to address the dispute, which may include seeking legal advice or proceeding to file an application with the Courts.

Can I record the mediation session?

• The mediation at the CMC is a confidential process, as outlined in the CMC Act, Cap 49A.

• To maintain confidentiality and to provide a safe space for parties to share without fear, no photography, videography or audio recording is allowed during the mediation session.

• Should we realise that a recording has taken place, the party responsible will be asked to delete the content, in the presence of the mediators or the CMC officer.

Is a CMC Settlement Agreement legally binding?

• Once a Settlement Agreement is signed, it is binding on the parties who signed it, which means that you can use the document as evidence to support legal proceedings.

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What happens if the other party breaches the agreement?

• You can apply for voluntary remediation one month after the last mediation session through our online application form. You can also apply by calling the MinLaw Enquiry Line at 1800 2255 529* during office hours.
  
  Non-Neighbour Disputes
  If voluntary remediation does not materialise, you may choose to explore other options to address the dispute, which may include seeking legal advice or proceeding to file an application with the Courts. 
  
  Neighbour Disputes from Tampines (During Pilot Phase)
  If voluntary remediation does not materialise because the Respondent declines or fails to respond, you can apply for Directed Remediation by calling the MinLaw Enquiry Line at 1800 2255 529* during office hours. This means attendance at a CMC mediation session is compulsory for both parties.
  
  Neighbour Disputes from all other Towns (During Pilot Phase)
  If voluntary remediation does not materialise because the Respondent declines or fails to respond, we will issue you with an outcome letter. You have the option to file a claim at the CDRT.

*Please note that airtime charges may apply to calls made from mobile phones.

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Who are the CMC mediators?

• The CMC mediators are volunteers who are appointed by the Minister for Law.
  
  They have been carefully selected, trained and assessed before they are appointed to their role. They are also required to remain relevant in their role through regular mediations and training.

Is the CMC recruiting any new volunteers?

• The CMC recruits new volunteers every year, with applications closing at the end of September.
  
  Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend the Selection Interviews, which are usually held from October to November each year.

How to qualify as a CMC mediator?

• There is a 5-stage process:

  • Application

  • Selection

  • Assessment

  • Apprenticeship

  • Appointment

• You can apply here.

How to be a CMC mediator?

• To apply as a volunteer CMC mediator, you will have to meet the following criteria:

  • A Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident.

  • Aged 30 years or older.

  • Fluent in both written and spoken English.

  • Proficient in a local language or dialect.

  •  Familiar with using the Zoom platform for conducting mediation.

  • Active involvement in community or voluntary work, either currently or in the past, is important.

  • Attained at least a Level 1 Accreditation from the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) within the last two years.

  •  An interest in contributing to building a gracious and harmonious community in Singapore.

• You can apply here.

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I would like to request a briefing by the CMC.

• Please call the MinLaw Enquiry Line at 1800 2255* 529 during office hours or submit your request using the online form here.

Where can I find the annual reports by the CMC?

• The CMC does not publish annual reports. If you require certain type of statistics, please submit your request using the online form here.

I would like to conduct a media interview.

• Please call the MinLaw Enquiry Line at 1800 2255 529* during office hours or submit your request using the online form here stating the nature and purpose of your request.

I would like to collaborate with the CMC on an event. Who can I speak to?

• Please call the MinLaw Enquiry Line at 1800 2255 529* during office hours or submit your request using the online form here stating the nature and purpose of your request.

Where do I get The Community Mediation Centre statistics report?

• The CMC does not publish statistics reports. If you require certain type of statistics, please submit your request using the online form here.

My agency would like to request for CMC’s collaterals. E.g. brochures

• Please call the MinLaw Enquiry Line at 1800 2255 529* during office hours or submit your request using the online form here.

*Please note that airtime charges may apply to calls made from mobile phones.