The beauty industry had the most cases of consumer disputes last year, the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) announced on Monday. The beauty industry was the source of 23 cases, followed by 19 in the real estate industry and 17 in the renovations industry.

In total, Case Mediation Centre mediated 147 cases last year, of which 105 were settled. The success resolution rate of 71.4 per cent was a 5.9 per cent improvement from 2011, where 99 cases out of 151 were resolved.

The total amount of money recovered for consumers also went up from $258,633 in 2011 to $340,930 in 2012, an increase of 31.8 per cent

On Monday, four associations also signed Memorandums of Understanding with Case to have their members use the Case Mediation Centre as a step to settle disputes with consumers. They were the Singapore Clock & Watch Trade Association, The Chiropractic Association(Singapore), Moneylenders' Association of Singapore and Restaurant Association of Singapore. "We hope to encourage more consumers and businesses to participate in the mediation process, as choosing mediation over litigation would result in substantial cost savings and a win-win situation for both parties," said Case's president Lim Biow Chuan.