Global Pound Conference – Shaping the future of dispute resolution & improving access to justice The international Global Pound Conference (GPC) is coming to Auckland, New Zealand on 31 May 2017 bringing together the country’s leading business and dispute resolution stakeholders to discuss the future of commercial and civil dispute resolution. Launched in Singapore in March 2016, and finishing in London later this year, the GPC Series is a not-for-profit global project initiated by the International Mediation Institute (IMI). It is convening commercial and civil dispute resolution stakeholders at a series of conferences around the world in order to discuss how to improve access to and quality of all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation. These stakeholders include parties, lawyers, judges, arbitrators, mediators, academics, policy makers, government officials, and others. The Series is based on the original ‘Pound Conference’ that was held in the United States in 1976, and which was a seminal event in the development of modern dispute resolution. The GPC Series is currently scheduled to take place in 40 cities across 31 countries. This event will bring together the country’s leading business and dispute resolution stakeholders to discuss the future of commercial and civil dispute resolution. Be part of the Global Pound Conference Series in Auckland and help shape the future of dispute resolution. Register now at auckland2017.globalpoundconference.org or contact Resolution Institute on 0800 453 237. Singapore passes new Mediation Act The Singapore Parliament recently passed the Mediation Act as part of the government’s initiative to grow Singapore as a destination for international dispute resolution, by strengthening the legislative framework for international commercial mediation. The Act does not apply to all mediations in Singapore. It only applies to mediations either conducted wholly or in part in Singapore, or conducted elsewhere provided that the mediation agreement provides that the Mediation Act or Singapore law applies to the mediation. The Act has four key features: - Enforceability of Mediated Settlement Agreements: The Act provides an expedited process for parties to enforce their mediated settlement agreements, by allowing such agreements to be recorded as court orders. To take advantage of this process, all parties must agree to apply to court to have the settlement agreement recorded as a consent order, the settlement agreement must be in writing, and the mediation must have been administered by an approved mediation service provider or a certified mediator; - Confidentiality of Mediation Communications: Subject to certain narrow exceptions, discussions during the course of mediation are confidential and cannot be disclosed to third parties or in court or arbitral proceedings. This protection extends to any communications, documents, or information provided in the course or for the purpose of mediation; - Stay of Legal Proceedings Pending Mediation: The Act allows parties to a mediation agreement to apply for a stay of court proceedings pending the outcome of the mediation; and