Singapore, 17 June 2019 – The Singapore Mediation Centre announced today the appointment of Mr Ban Jiun Ean (万 俊 彥) as its new Executive Director (ED). Mr Ban will succeed Mr Loong Seng Onn as ED on 1 July 2019.

Formerly a policymaker at the Ministry of Law (MinLaw), Mr Ban has contributed significantly to Singapore’s alternative dispute resolution industry. His firm belief in the value of mediation as a dispute resolution mechanism is rooted in his work for MinLaw’s Community Mediation Centres. As the founding Chief Executive Officer of Maxwell Chambers, he also oversaw its establishment as the world’s first integrated dispute resolution centre. He stepped down from that post after five years in October 2015 to pursue other interests.

“These initiatives and achievements demonstrate Jiun Ean’s familiarity with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as his commitment to expanding their reach,” shared The Honourable Justice Belinda Ang, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of SMC. “I am confident that, with his experience and energy, Jiun Ean will be a transformational leader, leading SMC to even greater heights.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Ban said, “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead SMC. As a firm believer in the value of mediation, I look forward to working hard with the team to establish mediation as the primary dispute resolution mechanism in Singapore and to strengthen SMC’s position as a leading alternative dispute resolution centre in Asia.”

The appointment of Mr Ban follows a comprehensive search for the successor of Mr Loong, who will be leaving SMC to pursue his personal interests. Justice Ang paid tribute to Mr Loong’s commitment to developing Singapore’s mediation scene, noting that he had been with SMC since its inception in 1997. “On behalf of the SMC Board, I would also like to thank Seng Onn for the last two decades of dedicated service, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” she said. “But I am pleased to note that his efforts to strengthen Singapore’s mediation scene do not end here—he will continue to use his skills and knowledge to serve SMC, this time as a consultant.”

A subsidiary of the Singapore Academy of Law, SMC is Singapore’s leading provider of alternative dispute resolution services. This includes its core offering of mediation services, which do not require parties to go to court to settle their differences. Its other dispute resolution services include adjudication, neutral evaluation, collaborative family practice and Singapore domain name dispute resolution service. As one of four designated mediation service providers under Singapore’s Mediation Act, SMC-administered mediation settlements can be converted into court orders that are immediately enforceable.

The Centre manages a case-load of about 1,000 cases (both mediation and adjudication) per year. Since its launch, it has mediated close to 4,000 matters worth over S$9 billion. About 70 per cent of these cases are settled, with 90 per cent of them resolved within a day, attesting to the effectiveness of mediation.

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About the Singapore Mediation Centre

Established in 1997, SMC pioneered the use of mediation as the mainstream mechanism for dispute resolution, as well as training in negotiation and conflict management. Today, SMC offers a suite of alternative dispute resolution services which brings clarity and objectivity to complex situations. These services include mediation, neutral evaluation, collaborative family practice and domain name dispute resolution. Through our panel of professional mediators with legal and industry expertise, SMC is well-placed to manage difficult negotiations and unlock standstills for businesses by providing cost-effective and timely solutions. At SMC, our vision is to help all businesses fully appreciate the value of mediation as a strategic risk-management tool that they can count on in commercial dealings.