Mediation Direction

Mediation Direction: Helping Neighbours Through Facilitated Dialogue

Last updated 28 August 2026

Mediation Direction

A Mediation Direction is an order issued by authorised officers from Housing & Development Board (HDB), People’s Association (PA), Community Mediation Centre (CMC) or Community Relations Unit (CRU) to residents who are neighbours. The Mediation Direction is backed by law and must be complied with.

It requires the named individuals to attend a mediation session at the CMC or at a designated venue to discuss their issues amicably.

Attendance at the mediation session is compulsory.

Failure to comply with the Mediation Direction without a reasonable excuse is an offence under Section 13R of the Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015. If convicted, a person may be liable for a fine of up to $1,500.

Person Issued with a Mediation Direction

Only neighbours staying in the same building or within 100 metres from each other may be issued with a Mediation Direction.

A person may be issued with a Mediation Direction after an authorised agency has assessed that mediation is an appropriate avenue to help resolve the issues between the neighbours.

All parties issued with the Mediation Direction must attend mediation at the CMC or at a designated venue.

Cost of Mediation

No payment is required by any party who is issued with a Mediation Direction.

Mediators

The mediators who will be assigned to a mediation session are experienced CMC mediators who have mediated disputes between neighbours successfully. They can conduct the mediation session in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

The role of the mediators

The role of the mediators is to provide a safe and neutral space for the parties involved to share their issues openly, without taking sides.
Information shared during both the joint and private sessions is confidential. It will only be shared with the other party with your consent.

Attendance of Persons Not Named in the Mediation Direction

For Directed Mediation, only parties named in the Mediation Direction can attend the mediation session.

If a senior citizen requires an adult family member to accompany them, please contact the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) at 1800-2255-529 during office hours or submit the request at https://go.gov.sg/accompanying-person (opens in new tab) before the mediation session to request permission for their attendance.

In the said request, the name, NRIC/Passport number, contact number and the reason for the attendance of the additional person must be provided. The approval of such a request is subject to the discretion of the CMC.

Failure to Attend the Mediation Session

If a person who has been issued with a Mediation Direction, fails to attend the mediation session, they will be regarded as having failed to comply with the Mediation Direction unless a reasonable excuse is accepted by the CMC.

If a person has a valid conflicting commitment that was scheduled before the Mediation Direction was issued, and as a result is unable to attend the scheduled mediation session, they must submit the relevant supporting documents no later than 1 working day before the scheduled session at https://go.gov.sg/reasonable-excuse (opens in new tab) or contact the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) at 1800-2255-529.

Please note that work-related reasons will generally not be accepted.

Please also note that deliberately arranging conflicting commitments after the mediation session has been scheduled, and the resulting failure to comply with the Mediation Direction, is an offence under Section 13R of the Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015. If convicted, they would have to pay a fine not exceeding $1,500.

Valid reasonable excuse includes documented medical reasons (e.g. Medical Certificate) or documented compassionate reasons involving immediate family members (e.g. death or hospitalisation).  

Please submit the reason for absence no later than 1 working day after the scheduled mediation session at https://go.gov.sg/reasonable-excuse (opens in new tab) or contact the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) at 1800-2255-529.

If the reason is assessed to be valid, the CMC will reschedule the mediation session to take place two weeks from the last scheduled date. For more information, please contact 1800-2255-529 or visit the following link for further contact details: https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/about-us/contact-us (opens in new tab).

Duration of mediation session

A mediation session typically lasts between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the nature and complexity of the dispute.

If a session is scheduled to start at 9.00am, it will end by 1.00pm. If the session is scheduled to start at 2.00pm, it will end by 6.00pm.

If the mediation cannot be concluded with the allocated 4-hour slot, the mediation may be adjourned to the next earliest available slot.

The Mediation Journey for a Person Issued with a Mediation Direction

Step 1: Read the Mediation Direction Carefully

Take note of the date, time, venue and deadlines stated. Contact the CMC (opens in new tab) if there are any questions.

Step 2: Prepare for the Session

Before the mediation session, think about the issues that should be brought up for discussion and the outcomes to achieve.

There is no need to present evidence. Mediation is a facilitated conversation between parties, not a formal hearing.

Step 3: Attend the Session

Bring a government issued photo ID (e.g. NRIC/Passport/Driving Licence/Employment Pass or Work Permit) for verification and arrive 20 minutes before the session to complete the pre-mediation administration.

The mediation will take place at the Ministry of Law Services Centre (MSC), 45 Maxwell Road, #07-11 The URA Centre (East Wing), Singapore 069118 or at a designated venue.

Step 4: Outcome Reached

If all parties reach an agreement, they can choose to have it written down. The mediators will help to draft the terms of the agreement. Parties should read and understand the terms before they sign the agreement.

With a written agreement, the parties have the option to register their written agreement as a Community Dispute Resolutions Tribunals (opens in new tab) (CDRT) Order. For this to take place, all parties must provide their consent. The CMC Officer will assist with this process either on the same day after the mediation session or within two weeks from the mediation.

If they do not wish to provide consent, they do not need to do anything else after signing the agreement. The written agreement will remain as a CMC Agreement.

If all parties cannot reach an agreement, they can choose to proceed to the next step of filing a claim at the CDRT if they wish to.

The Mediation Outcomes and Effect

Written Agreement with Consent to Register as a CDRT Order

If all parties consent to register their agreement as a CDRT Order, the CMC will issue with them with a Notification of Consent. Either party can file their agreement and the Notification of Consent with the CDRT through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS) here (opens in new tab) .

A registered agreement will have the same effect as a CDRT Order. This will provide parties with expedited option to proceed to the CDRT to file for Special Direction (opens in new tab) in the event of a failure to comply with the registered agreement. For more information, please proceed to the CDRT website here (opens in new tab) .

Written Agreement Without Consent to Register as a CDRT Order

If either party or all parties do not wish to consent to register their agreement as a CDRT Order, they will still need to comply with the CMC Agreement. In the event of a non-compliance of the CMC Agreement, they can return to the CMC for a voluntary remediation session. The voluntary remediation session is free.

Alternatively, they also have the option to proceed to file a CDRT claim. For more information on how to file a CDRT claim, click here (opens in new tab).

Frequently Asked Questions

Before the Mediation Session

Can I appeal against the Mediation Direction?

Appeals against the issuance of a Mediation Direction will not be acceded to. The Mediation Direction was issued as community mediation can help neighbours find common ground and resolve the matter amicably. Parties are strongly encouraged to participate in the mediation session and use the opportunity to work towards a mutually acceptable outcome.

Please note that failure to comply with the Mediation Direction without reasonable excuse is an offence under Section 13R of the Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015.

Is mediation confidential?

Mediation is a confidential process. What is discussed during the session cannot be disclosed or used in any subsequent legal proceedings between parties.

The CMC will check with you on whether you consent for the contents of your agreement or notes from the mediation session to be shared with the agency which referred your case for Directed Mediation. Such disclosure of information will facilitate efficient and effective follow-up by the agencies in the event of future assistance on the same matter.

However, if you do not wish for such as a disclosure, you can opt out by clicking here. (opens in new tab) This will mean you will need to provide the agency with information directly if you require them to assist you with your case in the future.

What if I think the complaint against me is unfair or untrue?

The mediation session is an opportunity for both parties to explain their version of the matter without interruption. The mediator will not take sides, assess blame or make a decision for you.

Can the mediation be conducted online?

Directed Mediation cases are conducted in-person. If you require further assistance, please at 1800-2255-529 during office hours or submit your query online (opens in new tab).

What if I require language assistance?

Our mediators can conduct the mediation in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. If you require specific language assistance, contact us at 1800-2255-529 or submit your request online (opens in new tab) before the mediation session.

What if I have accessibility needs?

Please contact us at 1800-2255-529 or submit your request online (opens in new tab) if you have any accessibility needs, so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Do I need a lawyer?

No. Mediation is an informal conversation, not a legal hearing, and lawyers are not allowed to attend the mediation sessions.

If you require legal advice, it is advisable to seek it separately before the session. The mediator will guide the session and ensure both parties have the opportunity to share their concerns.

Can I bring photographs, recordings or documents?

Mediation is a conversation, not a formal hearing, so there is no need to bring evidence. However, if you feel that certain materials will help explain your concerns, you may bring them along. The mediators will decide how best to use them during the session.

During the Mediation Session

Can I speak to the mediator privately?

Yes. You can inform the mediator that you wish to have a private session. The mediator may arrange to speak to both parties privately to gather information that cannot be shared in a joint session.

After the Mediation Session

Will the agency that issued the Direction be informed of the outcome?

Yes. The agency that referred the case to the CMC will be informed of the outcome of the mediation.

How can a resident file a claim at the Community Dispute Resolution Tribunals (CDRT)?

To file a claim at the CDRT, you will have to do so online through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS) website (opens in new tab). You are required to:

Complete a pre-filing assessment to determine your eligibility
Provide your neighbour’s full name and address
- If you know your neighbour’s address but do not know his/her full name, you may conduct a property ownership search using Integrated Land Transformation Service (opens in new tab)
Provide evidence in support of matters that you will be raising in your neighbour dispute claim
- Evidence may be in written form, photographs, CCTV footage, audio and video recordings, police reports and so on. For more information on how to prepare and submit your evidence, you may refer to the Singapore Courts’ website (opens in new tab).
Furnish other supporting documents
State the remedies you are seeking, meaning, what you wish to achieve from making a claim and what you want your neighbour to do.

You will also have to pay $150 in filing fees.

General

What is the difference between voluntary mediation and directed mediation?

Voluntary mediation is initiated by the applicant who wishes to use the mediation service to discuss their matters with the other party facilitated by a trained mediator. Both parties have to agree to take part in the mediation process.

Directed mediation is initiated when an authorised officer issues a Mediation Direction (MD) requiring the named individuals to attend a mediation session. Attendance is compulsory. Failure to comply without a reasonable excuse is an offence under Section 13R of the Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015, and may result in a fine of up to $1,500.

Download our Mediation Direction booklet

Mediation Direction: What you need to know

English [PDF] (opens in new tab)

中文 [PDF] (opens in new tab)

Melayu [PDF] (opens in new tab)

தமிழ் [PDF] (opens in new tab)