A Mediation Bill has recently been put before the Singapore Parliament with a view to encouraging the growth of mediation in the jurisdiction. The three key proposals in the Bill (which echo similar provisions in the EU Mediation Directive and various other mediation laws around the world) are:
(i) A power (though not a duty) in the courts to stay proceedings in favour of mediation agreed by the parties
(ii) A mechanism for settlement agreements reached at pre-litigation mediations to be recorded and enforced as court orders; and
(iii) Confirmation of the confidentiality of mediation communications.
Read more detail on the proposals here.