Singapore’s Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme.

What is mediation?

• Mediation is an amicable method of resolving a dispute.

• Unlike an adversarial litigation process where a judge rules for one party against the other, the mediation process seeks a win-win outcome.

• A qualified mediator assists parties to evaluate their interests and objectives and to communicate and explore options.

• Mediation can be more flexible and efficient time and cost-wise than litigation, as parties have more control over the process.

What is the Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme (EMPS)?

• The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore ("IPOS") is offering to cover part of the costs of mediation, should parties choose it as an alternative to a hearing before IPOS.

• For each mediation case, IPOS will fund up to S$10,000 (or up to S$12,000 if the IP dispute involves not only Singapore IP rights but additional foreign IP rights), regardless of the mediation outcome.

• The funding can be used to cover the official fees payable to the mediation centre; the mediator's fees; and up to 50% of a party's mediation-related lawyer/agent fees.

Who can apply?

To benefit from the EMPS, parties must have an existing dispute before IPOS which they mutually agree to submit to a mediation forum in Singapore.

The following conditions must also be met:

• Allow a "shadow" mediator to observe the

  mediation.

• Disclose your lawyer/agent fees.

• Give feedback on your mediation experience.

• Agree to named publicity, excluding details of the settlement terms.

• Co-pay at least 50% of your mediation-related lawyer/agent fees (and mediation-related disbursements charged by your lawyer/agent).

   

To be eligible under the EMPS, the mediation session must take place no later than 31 March 2022 or until the available funding is drawn down, whichever is earlier.

For anyone involved in IP-related disputes before IPOS, the EMPS seeks to encourage and incentivise you to consider mediation as a meaningful dispute resolution option.