SIMC announces Lit-Med-Lit Protocol, new board members, India and Japan workshops

2023 is off to a strong start for SIMC, building on the momentum of a record-breaking 2022

March 2023

Dear Friend of SIMC,

Building on the momentum of a record-breaking year, 2023 has been off to a strong start for the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC). We hope to maintain the momentum and thank you for your continuing support.

In 2022, SIMC's caseload increased 13% over 2021. Total dispute value soared by more than 60% to US$4.8 billion.

In tandem with this growing trend, coupled with the reopening of international borders and resumption of business travel, cross-border commercial transactions will rise, leading to an increased likelihood of business disputes. SIMC is poised to meet the sustained demand for mediation by offering its personalised case management services and various protocols such as co-mediation, Arb-Med-Arb (with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre) and Med-Arb (with the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration) to suit the needs of parties. More on the latest Lit-Med-Lit Protocol(with the Singapore International Commercial Court) below.

On the training front, our next Specialist Mediators Workshops will be held in India and Japan in the first half of 2023. We are also launching our new Mediation Advocacy Programme which has been recognised by the International Mediation Institute. This programme will arm lawyers and in-house counsel with the practical skills to ensure clients maximise their chances of settlement and get the most out of the mediation process. Watch this space for further announcements!

Key Highlights

SIMC Announces Appointment of New Board Members

SIMC welcomes Mr. Toby Landau KC and Mr. Sun Wei who join us as new members of the Board of Directors, effective from 1 February.

Mr. Landau has appeared in hundreds of major international commercial, investor-State and inter-state arbitrations, as well as ground-breaking cases in the highest courts of England, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan and the Caribbean. Mr. Sun has extensive experience in international arbitration, litigation and civil enforcement on construction, energy, finance and corporate equity disputes, covering jurisdictions such as the U.S., Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Argentina and Ghana.

SIMC is deeply grateful to outgoing Board members Professor Lawrence Boo, Ms. Ng Chai Ngee and Ms. Lim Seok Hui for their strong support and service over the many years. They stepped down on 31 January and we wish them all the very best in the years ahead.

The Promotion of Singapore Convention and Advocacy for Mediation in Central America and the Caribbean Produces Positive Results

(Top photo) Mr. George Lim (third from the right) met with Bahamian's Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister Michael Halkitis (fourth from the left), together with Mr. John Bassie, Global President of CIArb (second from the right).

(Bottom photo from left to right) Mr. George Lim met Costa Rica's Minister of Justice and Peace, Mr. Gerald Campos Valverde and Mr. Arnoldo André Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In Jan /Feb 2023, SIMC Chairman George Lim, Senior Counsel, was invited to meet with Ministers from the Bahamas and Costa Rica in connection with the signing of the Singapore Convention on Mediation (SCM) by their countries.

In Nassau, George met with Mr. Michael Halkitis, Minister of Economic Affairs. In San José, he met with Mr. Gerald Campos Valverde, Minister of Justice & Peace, Mr. Arnoldo André Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as former President, Mr. Óscar Arias Sánchez, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the armed conflict in Central America.

We are pleased to report that following the meetings, both countries have indicated commitment to sign and ratify the SCM, with training opportunities for mediators and neighbouring countries indicating interest to also sign the SCM.

(Photo from left to right) Mr. George Lim delivered a presentation at the XIV Congreso de Arbitraje Internacional (CAI) Costa Rica and met with Novel Prize laureate, Mr.Óscar Arias Sánchez.

SICC x SIMC Litigation-Mediation-Litigation (LML) Protocol Launch

(Right to left): Justice Philip Jeyaretnam, President of SICC, Mr. Chuan Wee Meng, CEO of SIMC, Ms. Gloria Lim, CEO of SIAC, and moderator Mr. Siraj Omar SC, Co-Managing Director, Disputes Resolution, Drew & Napier, after the fireside chat at the launch at the Supreme Court of Singapore of the LML Protocol and SICC Model Jurisdiction Clause for International Arbitration Matters.

SIMC and the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) have collaborated on a Litigation-Mediation-Litigation (LML) framework to promote amicable resolution of international commercial disputes.

Parties may choose to adopt the LML Protocol, which has been in effect since 12 January 2023, by incorporating the model LML Clause into their agreements. Alternatively, parties may, by separate agreement, adopt the LML Protocol at any other time, e.g. after a dispute has arisen.

Lit-Med-Lit Protocol in the News

CNA

Lianhe Zaobao

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For news clipping, click here to view.

SIMC Joins OneMillionTrees Movement to contribute to a greener and more sustainable Singapore

On February 24, SIMC participated by planting 16 trees in the OneMillionTrees Movement which is a critical part of Singapore National Parks’ City in Nature vision and a key pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Our passion at SIMC extends beyond mediation and we believe in a strong culture of community development and social responsibility. It is a meaningful experience contributing to our Green City Initiative and restoring our rich natural biodiversity and environment.

In Jan/Feb, SIMC also presented at the following events:

The National Mediation Forum of Jordan, organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Law Organization, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial Council of Jordan
The Crisis Management Toolkit: How to navigate PR and legal challenges, organised by Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
WongPartnership's Talk : Including mediation clauses in agreements - A more effective way to dispute resolution?
Introduction of mediation to senior executives of the NUS Chinese EMBA Programme
Briefing Workshop on ADR options for businesses with Singapore Business Federation’s Market Advisors

Meanwhile, should you have any questions, wish to refer a case for mediation, or arrange a meeting or talk on international mediation for your team or clients, simply reply to this email or contact us at secretariat@simc.com.sg.