A QUIET SUCCESS, BUT BARRIERS REMAIN
Today, about 80 per cent of voluntary mediation cases handled by the CMC are successfully settled.
“Even if they don't (reach) a settlement, when they are walking out (of mediation), they are better neighbours. That is an achievement,” said Mr Thirunal, who stressed that mediators only play a facilitative role in the process.
The bulk of neighbourly disputes in Singapore stems from noise.
Overall, the average monthly volume of noise disputes between neighbours in the first half of 2025 has held steady at 2,500, the Ministry of National Development and MinLaw said in September.
However, many parties involved in disputes are unwilling to attempt mediation, despite its track record.
Less than 30 per cent of the total cases registered at the CMC proceed to mediation because one party did not wish to participate, the authorities added.
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