Referral for mediation by community relations officer, etc.
s 13M
13M.—(1) Despite any written law, the persons mentioned in subsection (2) may in writing direct all or any of the following persons to a Community Mediation Centre or to any other prescribed person or entity for mediation (called in this section a mediation entity), with or without the consent of the persons to be directed for mediation:(a) the individuals involved in a complaint or dispute involving alleged unreasonable interference with a neighbour’s enjoyment or use of the neighbour’s place of residence; (b) a landlord of the place of residence of an individual mentioned in paragraph (a). (2) The persons who may issue a direction under subsection (1) are —(a) a community relations officer so authorised under this Part; (b) where the complaint or dispute involves an allegation that a person who is a party to a settlement agreement breached the settlement agreement — a person authorised in writing by the mediation entity that administered the mediation where the settlement agreement was made; (c) a person authorised in writing by a mediation entity that administers a mediation under a direction issued under subsection (1); and (d) any of the following persons appointed in writing by the Minister to issue a direction under subsection (1) subject to any condition or limitation that the Minister may impose:(i) a public officer; (ii) an officer or employee of a statutory body. (3) The persons mentioned in subsection (2) may, in issuing a direction under subsection (1), direct all or any of the persons referred for mediation to attend (personally or by a representative permitted under section 14 of the Community Mediation Centres Act 1997 or under a prescribed written law) before a mediation entity —(a) at a time and place to be specified in the direction; or (b) in the case where the mediation is to be conducted by electronic communication, video conferencing or other electronic means, at a time to be specified in the direction and in accordance with the electronic means specified in the direction. (4) A direction issued under subsection (1) is final. (5) Without affecting section 30, a direction under subsection (1) must not be made with respect to a complaint or dispute involving alleged unreasonable interference with a neighbour’s enjoyment or use of the neighbour’s place of residence where —(a) an action on a claim under section 4 has been brought in any court; and (b) the subject of the claim is substantially the same as that of the complaint or dispute.[Act 43 of 2024 wef 24/03/2025]