Arb-Med-Arb: Connecting The Dots Between Arbitration And Mediation

In the recent years, the “Arb-Med-Arb” process has gained traction as a dispute resolution mechanism. The process of “Arb-Med-Arb” (the short form for Arbitration-Mediation-Arbitration) entails exactly what its name suggests: the commencement of arbitration proceedings, followed by mediation to attempt an amicable resolution, followed by continuation of arbitration proceedings if mediation was unsuccessful.

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) and the Singapore International Mediation Centre (“SIMC”) have formalised their very own SIAC-SIMC Arb-Med-Arb Protocol (“AMA Protocol”) to handle disputes in accordance with an “Arb-Med-Arb” clause. It is noteworthy that parties can also agree to submit their dispute for resolution under the AMA Protocol even if there was no prior agreed “Arb-Med-Arb” clause.