The Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) is the premier independent professional standards body for the mediation industry in Singapore and the region.
SIMI was incorporated on 15 July 2014 as a non-profit organisation supported by the Ministry of Law. SIMI is a subsidiary of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is housed at the NUS Faculty of Law. SIMI is headed by an international Board of Directors with representatives from both mediation practitioners as well as corporate users of mediation. SIMI works closely with both domestic and international mediation bodies, and is partnered with the International Mediation Institute (IMI). The IMI is a non-profit public interest initiative to drive transparency and high competency standards into mediation practice across all fields, worldwide.
SIMI aims to apply and enforce world-class standards of mediation, to provide impartial information about mediation, to make tools available to parties to make basic decisions about mediation, and to promote mediation education and awareness.
Vision
Vanguard of mediation in Asia.
Mission Statements
1. Set and achieve high mediation standards through the professionalization of mediation
2. Promote understanding and inspire the use of mediation
3. Stimulate and facilitate the development and growth of mediation through research and innovation
4. Foster a strong mediation community in Asia by engaging stakeholders in discussion, events and outreach activities
What does SIMI do to uphold professional standards, and how?
1a. Administration of accreditation schemes for:
- Mediation training and service providers, through the SIMI Partner Scheme.
- Mediators, through the SIMI Credentialling Scheme and cross-recognition schemes.
1b. Ongoing development and review of training and service benchmarks:
- SIMI Competency Framework for Mediators
- Code of Professional Conduct
1c. Maintaining a current register of accredited training and service providers, and mediators. This includes a regular review of appropriate ways of maintaining accreditation.
2. Promotion of professional standards for the mediation industry in collaboration with SIMI accredited mediators, training/service providers and other stakeholders through co-organising thought leadership events.
3. Support publications which promote thought leadership on technical and professional practice issues in mediation eg Contemporary Issues in Mediation.
Why SIMI?
1. One of the few bodies internationally whose main focus is on accrediting mediation training providers, service providers and mediators. In the absence of international legislation or treaties governing the professionalism of such providers and mediators, accreditation by self-regulation is the best known alternative to ensuring quality services in an industry with growing importance.
2. Our accreditation services are independent and based on certain benchmarks. This lends credibility to the accreditation mark as it is not associated with the commercial agenda of any mediation service or training provider.
3. We are supported by Singapore's Ministry of Law and are a subsidiary of the National University of Singapore. Backed by credible institutions, we are able to maintain a non-profit status. This enables us to focus on developing a quality mark based on clear benchmarks. In turn, SIMI can assure disputants of the professionalism of our accredited mediators, service and training providers.
4. We do not rest on our laurels. SIMI is striving to sharpen its value proposition/benchmarks, and explain its mission and what its quality mark seeks to achieve.