s 13M Referral for mediation by community relations officer, etc.
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]