Building Bridges to

Reconciliation

Annual Report 2013/14

CMC Annual Report 2013/14

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Contents

Key

Achievements

Pg 3

Key

Statistics

Pg 5

Our

Community

Mediators

Pg 8

On-going

Initiatives

Pg 12

Organisation

Chart

Pg 13

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1 Key Achievements

1.1 Mediator Management Framework

The Framework was implemented in August 2012. It has provided a structured

approach towards the recruitment, development and management of our volunteer

mediators. The Framework was further enhanced to provide our mediators with

professional development opportunities such as the CMC’s in-house training

programmes as well as co-sponsorship1 for mediation-related workshops offered by

recognised institutions such as Temasek Polytechnic and the Centre for Effective

Dispute Resolution.

Through such training and development opportunities, the CMC aims to deepen the

competencies of our community mediators. This will enable our mediators to

remain effective when dealing with the more complex community disputes that we

see today.

1.2 Review of Operational Processes We have reviewed our operational processes as part of our continuing effort

towards service excellence. The key changes are:

1.2.1 Shorter waiting time to arrange a mediation session

Previously, when an applicant requested for a mediation session, an invitation

would be sent to the respondent. The respondent would be given up to 28 calendar

days to accept or reject the invitation. Therefore, applicants had to wait up to 28

days for the outcome of their mediation requests.

The CMC has reviewed its processes to shorten the waiting period from 28 calendar

days to 7 working days. This shorter waiting period will enhance the attractiveness

of mediation as recourse for community disputes.

1 The CMC will pay 80% of the course fees, while mediators pay 20%. Mediators must meet certain criteria to be eligible for co-funding. Mediators have a service obligation to continue volunteering with the CMC for a fixed period of time after completion of the course(s).

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1.2.2 Streamlined procedures for the CMC(Central)

The cases mediated at the CMC(State Courts) are referred by the Magistrates. Due

to the high volume of Magistrate referrals, the mediation sessions scheduled at the

CMC(State Courts) are fixed at 2 hours per session.

Conversely, cases handled by the CMC(Central) are direct intakes from walk-ins or

referrals from partner agencies, and mediation sessions were arranged based on

the parties’ availability. A 4-hour time slot was usually catered for the mediation

sessions conducted at the CMC(Central), but it was observed that the majority of

the sessions were completed within two hours.

To optimise the capacity of the CMC, the 2-hour per session schedule practised at

the CMC(State Courts) has been extended to the mediation sessions arranged at

the CMC(Central), thus resulting in an increase in the number of mediation sessions

available at the CMC(Central).

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2 Key Statistics

>7,000 in caseload

75% success rate

525 mediated in 2013

More than 7,000 community

disputes have come through

the CMC’s doors since its

establishment in 1998.

The CMC has seen a good rate

of success, with about ¾ of

the cases mediated being

resolved.

Cases registered in 2013 which

resulted in mediation.

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2.1 Number of Mediated Cases over the Last 5 Years

2.2 Breakdown of Registered Cases in 20132

2 Include referrals from Government agencies, Family Service Centres and Community Clubs.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

742

498

593 610

525

Nu

mb

er

of

Me

dia

ted

Cas

es

Year

Direct Intake 23% Referral by

Others2 1%

Referral by Town Councils

2%

Referral by Members of Parliament

6%

Referral by Housing &

Development Board 11%

Referral by Singapore Police

Force 12%

Referral by Magistrates

(State Courts) 45%

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2.3 Relationship of Disputants in 20133

3 “Others” refers to cases which do not fall under any of the stated categories, such as cases involving a landlord and his/her tenant, business-to-business (non-commercial), and business owner and consumer disputes.

Neighbours 56%

Others3

26%

Family Members 6%

Friends 9%

Co-workers 3%

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3 Our Community Mediators

At the CMC, cases are mediated by a pool of 146 mediators from all walks of life

who are conversant in a variety of local languages and dialects. This enables the

CMC to conduct mediation sessions in more than one language or dialect, which is

an important requirement in a multi-racial society like Singapore.

Individuals who wish to join the CMC as community mediators are required to

undergo a selection interview. Shortlisted candidates will attend a two-day Basic

Mediation Workshop (BMW). Those who successfully complete the BMW must

observe a mediation session and co-mediate two real-life cases under the guidance

of an experienced mediator. Subsequently, those found suitable will be appointed

by the Minister for Law as mediators for a three-year period, which is renewable.

The CMC’s Mediators (as at March 2014)

Mr Ajmer Singh, PBS

Mr Amat Bin Sawan, PBS

Madam Ambika Rajendram

Mr Ameerali Abdeali, JP, PPA(G), PBM, PBS

Mr Anand K. Thiagarajan

Mr Ang Kiat Seng Jeffrey, PBM

Mr Ang Swee Nam Alec, PBM

Mr Arunachala Thevar Baskaran

Mr Bakerche B. Mohd, BBM, PBM, PBS

Mr Balasamy Rengarajoo, PBS

Mr Chan Kai Ler

Mr Chan Kong Thoe

Mrs Chan Patsy

Mr Chandra Sekaran Pillai, PBM

Mr Cheng Choon Hoe, PBM

Mrs Cheng-Yeoh Amy, PBM

Mr Cheong Fook Chiong David, PBM

Mr Chew Yew Kuen Michael, PBM

Mrs Chia Swee Tin, JP, PBM

Ms Chiang Ah Choo, PBM, PBS

Mr Chong Kia Khin

Mr Choo Yuen Chiah Tommy

Mr Chu Wee Kian Justin

Mr Er Swee Nguan

Mr Foo F.Y. Patrick

Mr Foo F.Y. Patrick

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Mr G. Anthony Samy, BBM, PBM

Mr Gan Chun Kiat Kenny

Mr Gan Ong Peng

Mr Ganesan s/o Kulandai, PBM

Mr Gerald Balendran Singham, BBM, PBM

Madam Giam Lay Eng Marcellina, PBM

Mr Goh Han Hian Anthony

Mr Goh Hock Leng Adrian

Mr Goh Miah Meng

Mr Goh Peng Hong, PBM

Mr Goh Sioh Chin, PBM, PBS

Mr Gopala Krishnan, JP, BBM, PBM

Madam Ho Khon Yin Sharon

Mr Ho Kong Sin Christopher

Ms Ho Mui Kin Lilio, PBM

Madam Jamunarani Manunethi, PBM

Dr Jayarani Tan

Mr Jayems Dhingra

Dr Joshua VM Kuma, PBM

Mr Jufri bin Osman

Madam Kadariah Maunah

Madam Kalsom Binte Ali

Madam Kamaria Binte Djorimi

Mr Kamil Mashoed

Mr Kee Hung Cheng Steven, PBM

Mr Koh Swee Chiok, PBM

Mr Koh Tong Por Moses

Mr Krishna Ramakrishna Sharma

Dr Kwoh Chee Keong, PBM

Mr Lau Hooi See Larry, PBM

Mr Lau Kim Sui Andy

Madam Lau Yan Yong Christina

Mr Law Shun Yong, BBM(L)

Mr Lee Boon Yew James

Mr Lee Kay Swee

Mr Lee Kok Eng

Mr Lee Poh Leng

Mr Lee Wai Pang Kelvin

Ms Lela Kaur

Mr Leong Fook Seng, PBM

Mr Leong Jong Pin James

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Ms Leow Soon Gee Christina

Mr Lim Boon Leong Richard

Mr Lim Chee Kong

Mr Lim Heng Meng Francis, PBM

Mr Lim How Seng, PBM

Mr Lim Joo Yeong, PBM, PBS

Ms Lim Kee Chiok Jenny

Mr Lim Kian Kok Leonard

Dr Lim Lan Yuan, JP, BBM, PPA(G), PBM

Mr Lim Puay Sia, PBM, PBS

Mr Lim Seng Min, PBM, PB, PBS

Mr Lim Sing Lip Philip

Mr Lim Teck Whai Terence

Mr Ling Leong Sing Michael

Mr Loh Choong Seng

Mr Loo Sin Chong Francis

Mr Low Chee Khan Jason

Mr Low Lee Hean Edmund, PBM

Mr Low Peng Kit, BBM(L)

Mr M.Y. Mohamed Rafeeq

Mr Ma Keow Yuen

Mr Ma Poh How, PBM, O. St. J.

Mr Mirza Khan s/o Fareed Khan

Mr Mohamed Fareez Bin Mohamed Fahmy

Mr Mohamed Feroz Bin Abdul Hamid

Madam Neo Ah Kwai Jennifer

Mrs Ng Boey Lin Maureen, PPA (P)

Mr Ng Chin Cheong Simon

Mr Ng Lee Chye John, PBM

Mr Ng Ngiap Khiang Francis

Mr Ng Yong Ern Raymond

Mr P. Thirunal Karasu, BBM, PBM

Mr Pang Loo Seng, BBM, PBM

Mr Phan Kim Huat Peter

Mr Poh Heo Tat Arthur

Mr Poh Tiong Bee, PBM

Mr Poh Yong Meng Stephen, PBM

Ms Puah Pei Yun Jasmine

Mr Quek Tee Dhye

Mr Raja Mohan M K, PBM

Mr Rajendren s/o Ramaswamy

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Mr Ramachandran Perumal

Ms Sabiha Shiraz Husain

Madam Salamah Bte Abdoll, PBM

Mr Sarjit Singh, PBM

Mr Seah Yee Men Vincent

Mr Selvakumar Simon s/o Silvaraj

Mr Sim Beng Cheong Robert, PBM

Mr Sim Lai Teck, PB, PBS

Mr Sivajothee Nanda Kumar

Mr Soh Tze Churn Jack, JP, BBM, PBM

Mr Song Msang Seng, PBM

Mr Sunil Rai

Ms Tan Keow Mui Cindy

Mr Tan Lam Siong

Mr Tan Ngee Min Eric

Mr Tan Wu Cheng, PBM

Mr Teo Beng Ghee Jimmy, PBM

Mr Teo Hung Hiong William, PBM

Mr Teo Joo Bing Esmond

Mr Teo Shih Yee David

Mr Then Choon Huat

Mr Thian Boon Kwang Roland

Mr Tito Shane Isaac

Madam Uma Devi d/o Sumeshwar

Mr V. Krishna, PPA(P), BBM, PBM, PBS

Madam Vataramathi Ramanatha Kurukkal

Mr Wee Kok Chin Casey

Mr Wee Pang Kiat, JP, BBM, PBM

Mr Wong Ngiam Chin Eric, BBM, PBM

Madam Wong Siew Yin June

Madam Wong Suet Mui Alice

Mr Wong Weng Kee David, BBM, PBM

Ms Wong Yat Men Grace

Mr Wong Yuk Fong, JP, PBM, PBS

Madam Yeo Hwee Koon Lena, PB

Madam Yeo Kim Neo Josephine, PBM

Mr Yeo Siok Thiam Gimmy

Mr Yong Chiang Boon, PBM

Mr Yoong Wee Sen Alfred

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4 On-going Initiatives

4.1 Enhancement of the IT system for Case Management

Since 2011, the CMC has been using a case management system (CMS) to manage

and monitor the mediation cases administered by our mediation centres. The CMS

captures information digitally and reduces the need for paper records.

The system is being enhanced. We are fine-tuning its features so that the data and

information captured can be analysed more easily.

4.2 Better Information for the Public through Our Website

To provide today’s IT-savvy public with a better understanding of the CMC and our

services, the CMC regularly reviews the information available on its website. This

also serves to enhance users’ experience when visiting the website. The public can

expect access to more information on the CMC’s operations and outreach activities.

4.3 Initiatives Aligned with Public Sector Transformation

In line with the Public Service’s initiative, we will seek to improve our written

communications with the public. The CMC will review our correspondences to

ensure that they are clear and convey empathy where appropriate.

Technology

Paperless case management

&

Effective data generation

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5 Organisation Chart

Ridzuan Razali

Centre Leader

Patricia Khong

Officer

Elsie Tjoeng

General Manager

Dr Lim Lan Yuan

Community Mediation

Unit Advisor

Operations and

Volunteer Management Publicity and Liaison

Juliha Bee Mohd Noor

Manager

Elaine Teo

Manager

Sally Neo

Executive

Jovis Ang

Senior Assistant

Manager

Diana Heng

Centre Leader

Sandra Tiong

Officer

CMC(State Courts) CMC(Central)

Leon Tan

Executive

Kelvin Chan

Assistant Manager