Neighbours can now settle disputes through online mediation

The State Courts said that e-Mediation can take place through the Community Justice and Tribunals System at a date and time suitable for disputing parties and their mediator.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM STATE COURTS SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE - Disputing neighbours can conduct mediation sessions online from Monday (Feb 5) to try to settle their differences.

With the help of a court mediator through the e-Mediation function, parties can now mediate in a secure environment and resolve their disputes online without going to the courts to do so.

This initiative is part of the second phase of the State Courts' Community Justice and Tribunals System, an electronic case filing and management system that was launched last year.

On Monday, the State Courts said that e-Mediation can take place through the Community Justice and Tribunals System at a date and time suitable for disputing parties and their mediator.

If the parties agree to resolve their dispute, they may proceed to withdraw their claim or apply for an online consent order through the Community Justice and Tribunals System.

The courts said: "Parties who wish to file a neighbour dispute claim at the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) can now file online any time and anywhere with an Internet connection.

"Parties can take an online pre-filing assessment to find out if their claims fall within the jurisdiction of the CDRT, submit their documents online, select their court date and make payments online. Parties will also be able to view documents submitted by the other party and monitor their case developments online."

The Community Justice and Tribunals System will help parties save time and money, as they no longer have to take time off to go to the courts to file their documents.

In addition, the system has a new case search feature that allows the public to check online if there is a pending claim or order against them for small claims or Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals matters.

"Parties can also check if there were cases filed against any supplier of goods and services providers or residential tenancy claims to help them review their claims and merits of their case and enable them to make informed choices when contracting with a particular supplier," said the State Courts.

Individuals can access the Community Justice and Tribunals System with their SingPass, while corporate entities can do so with their CorpPass. Pre-filing assessments and case search functions do not require a login with SingPass or CorpPass.

Phase 1 of the Community Justice and Tribunals System was launched on July 10 last year, when it was announced that from then, parties could file all claims at the Small Claims Tribunals online.

From then until Dec 31, 4,760 of such Small Claims Tribunals cases were filed online.

The next phase of the Community Justice and Tribunals System will include online filing for the Employment Claims Tribunals.

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