Looking Around: Should Thailand Promote Mediation Effectiveness and How?

Abstract

Mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution has many advantages compared to other dispute resolution methods, especially those of adjudicatory nature, such as litigation and arbitration. Thailand and Singapore share a similar policy of advocating the practice of mediation. That said, Thailand seems to focus principally on domestic mediation, while Singapore tends to position itself as a mediation hub for international disputes. In terms of the legal framework, both countries have enacted legislation and regulations that endorse, effectuate, and facilitate mediation. In both jurisdictions, these laws and regulations aim to uphold the principle of party autonomy, provide the necessary support, create a mediation-friendly climate, maintain the integrity of the process, and ensure the enforceability of valid mediated settlement agreements. This article, which is intended to be descriptive, discusses some important concepts and characteristics of mediation and explores the legal frameworks of mediation in Thailand and Singapore, as well as both countries’ experiences in dealing with this non-adversarial dispute settlement mechanism.