The third Community Mediation Centre (Regional North) was launched yesterday in Woodlands by Senior Minister of State (Law & Home Affairs) Associate Professor HO Peng Kee.

  This centre supplements the work of the other two centres, in Marine Parade (opened in 1998) and Ang Mo Kio (opened in 1999). Together, the mediation centres have helped to settle some 1,500 disputes to date. The fourth mediation centre will be opened in Jurong early next year.

  Traditionally, the main referrals of these disputes are the Magistrates Courts and the Neighbourhood Police Posts/Centres. However, there has been an increase in the number of walk-ins or call-ins from parties in conflict. As of Dec 2000, the referrals are as follows:

  - Walk-ins/Call-ins          32%

  - Courts                         35%

  - Neighbourhood Police   24%

  - Others                           9%

  With effect from yesterday, 17 ad-hoc mediation venues have also been established at Community Clubs/Centres in HDB estates, which are convenient and close to the parties, where the parties can have their disputes settled without having to come to the Mediation Centres.

  These mediation venues will be opened and used as and when there are disputes to be settled. Some 194 trained mediators who live in these HDB estates will meet the parties concerned at these venues to help resolve their conflicts.

  For a list of the mediation centres & ad-hoc venues, click HERE!