UPDATES ON SIMI CREDENTIALING & PARTNER SCHEMES
The Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) was established on 15 July 2014 to foster professionalism, raise standards and instil confidence in Singapore’s mediation sector at a time when it was still nascent. SIMI does so through a Partner Scheme to accredit mediation training providers and mediation service providers, and a Credentialing Scheme to accredit the experience and qualifications of mediators.
Over the last 12 years, Singapore’s mediation ecosystem has matured significantly. Singapore today has a robust mediation ecosystem that is supported by established mediation institutions, professional bodies and training providers, who promote and uphold high standards of practice through their own governance frameworks.
As the sector lead for the growth of Singapore as an international dispute resolution hub, the Ministry of Law conducted a review of the mediation landscape with SIMI from 2025 to 2026. The review found that with the growth of the sector, mediator quality is increasingly demonstrated through practical experience, institutional appointments and track record, rather than accreditation. Singapore is now amongst the world’s leading mediation hubs – with institutions such as the Singapore International Mediation Centre growing in caseload every year – and our mediators are held in high regard. That our sector has grown to this level today is a testament to the efforts of all SIMI-accredited mediators and Partners in Singapore and overseas who have supported SIMI’s mission in various ways for the past 12 years. In this context, SIMI has fulfilled its purpose to instil confidence in Singapore’s mediation sector.
Upon careful consideration, SIMI will cease the Partner Scheme and the Credentialing Scheme and wind down its substantive operations, given the maturity and strength of Singapore’s mediation ecosystem. The detailed timeline is as follows:
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Scheme
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Final Date for Applications
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Cessation Date
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Partner Scheme
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31 August 2026, for the following:
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Applications for SIMI accreditation on behalf of individuals who have successfully completed and passed a SIMI Registered Training Program (RTP).
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Applications on behalf of SIMI-accredited mediators who would like to upgrade their accreditation tier under the SIMI Credentialing Scheme via an Registered Service Provider (RSP) or Qualifying Assessment Program (QAP).
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30 October 2026. Partners should not refer to themselves as a SIMI Partner and should not use the SIMI logo on websites and marketing collaterals after this date.
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Credentialing Scheme
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31 August 2026, for the following:
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Applications by mediators who wish to upgrade their accreditation tier via an RSP or QAP, or the Private Mediation Verification scheme.
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Applications for cross-recognition with the International Mediation Institute (IMI) or the Alliance of Organisations for Mediation Standards (AMS).
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31 March 2027. Mediators should not refer to themselves as a SIMI-accredited mediator and should not use the SIMI logo on websites and marketing collaterals after this date.
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Singapore remains firmly committed to encouraging the use of mediation as a trusted and effective dispute resolution mechanism, and growing as an international dispute resolution hub. The Ministry of Law will continue efforts such as promoting the Singapore Convention on Mediation globally, and organising the annual Singapore Convention Week to strengthen our position as a thought leader. The Ministry will also continue to engage stakeholders and users in the mediation sector to better understand how their needs can be supported.
Other notes
The SIMI Register of Mediators will remain online until 31 March 2027, for mediators who wish to extract or share their records. You may also wish to use this transition period to apply for empanelment with a mediation service provider or build your track record as a mediator.
For further information on:
- The cessation of the SIMI Credentialling Scheme; and
- Support provided by SIMI up till 31 March 2027,
please refer to our list of Mediator FAQs and Partner FAQs.
For further enquiries, please contact admin@simi.org.sg.