Mediation
Mediation option for IPOS proceedings, offering a faster, cost-effective, and confidential alternative to litigation.
Last updated 23 October 2025
Overview
What is mediation?
It is an amicable way of resolving a dispute without a hearing before IPOS.
A mediator will help the parties to communicate and explore options. Parties may reach a win-win solution based on their interests.
The solution is owned by the parties.
Why mediate?
Parties can receive funding of up to S$8,000 or S$12,000 to defray mediation related costs. More details on the Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme by IPOS can be found here.
Parties are free to choose their mediator.
Parties have control and certainty over the process which leads to time and cost savings, including the power to end mediation at any time or use technology to lower costs.
Parties can discuss and resolve related disputes.
Win-win solutions for both parties.
Webinar: resolving IP and technology disputes through WIPO mediation
The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center ("WIPO Center") and IPOS have jointly organised webinars on "Resolving IP and Technology Disputes through WIPO Mediation".
Webinar details
Date | Speakers | Resources |
27 April 2021 |
| Webinar summary [PDF, 186 KB] |
7 August 2020 |
| Webinar summary [PDF, 1.1 MB] |
Success of mediation
Mediation has a high success rate.
Read this handy compilation of mediation cases [PDF, 1.46 MB] under the WIPO-ASEAN Mediation Programme, WIPO-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Programme, Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme and Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme. Each case write-up is also available individually.
Read about a successful mediation case [PDF, 263 KB] which benefitted from the Mediation Promotion Scheme.
Read about successful WIPO mediation cases.
Read about successful SIMC mediation cases [PDF, 324 KB].
Read about successful SMC mediation cases [PDF, 83 KB].
Mediation providers
Parties are free to choose their mediation provider. Some examples of mediation providers in Singapore are the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, the Singapore Mediation Centre, and the Singapore International Mediation Centre.
Mediation providers
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center | The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center is the only global mediation provider specialising in IP and IT disputes. WIPO Mediation may be used to resolve (contractual and non-contractual) IP related commercial disputes, including those in the areas of trademark, patent, copyright and related rights (including collective rights management disputes), designs, plant varieties and geographical indications. The WIPO Center has developed a mediation option for trademark, patent, industrial design and geographical indications proceedings and an expert determination option for patent proceedings pending before IPOS and administers such proceedings. With a Singapore Office established in 2010, it is readily accessible to parties. The WIPO Center can help parties shortlist potential mediators who meet their criteria and the requirements of the dispute. Complimentary online docket and videoconferencing facilities are offered to parties. Join the WIPO Mediation Pledge for IP and Technology Disputes. Contact details: |
Singapore Mediation Centre | Established in 1997, the Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) pioneered the use of mediation as the mainstream mechanism for dispute resolution in Singapore. Through SMC's panel of professional mediators with legal and industry expertise, SMC is well-placed to manage difficult conversations and unlock standstills for businesses, providing cost-effective and timely solutions. Contact details: |
Singapore International Mediation Centre | Established in 2014, the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), is an independent, not-for-profit institution that aims to provide world-class mediation services and products targeted at the needs of parties in cross-border commercial disputes, particularly those doing business in Asia. If a party is interested in mediation, SIMC can assist to approach the counter-party to help it consider mediation for the dispute at hand. SIMC has introduced discounted fixed fee arrangements to promote access to mediation, which may be conducted online. Please call SIMC for a non-obligatory discussion. Contact details: |
Choosing mediation
Parties in IPOS proceedings can request for mediation at any time before we decide on the outcome of the case. If you wish to apply for funding of mediation costs under the Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme by IPOS, please also inform us in advance.
You will be given time to specifically consider your dispute resolution options, after the pleadings (Statement of Grounds and Counter-Statement) have been filed, before completing and returning to us a signed Notification to Registrar.
Once you let us know of your intention to mediate, we will generally suspend the IPOS proceedings for mediation to take its course.
WIPO Mediation
More details on WIPO Mediation for IPOS proceedings can be found here.
Request for WIPO Mediation
If both parties agree to mediate | If you wish to propose mediation to the other party |
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The WIPO Center is non-profit, and requires only a low administration fee that has been heavily discounted under our collaboration. To further keep costs low, the parties can choose to mediate at the WIPO Singapore Office (29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, #06-16, Singapore 119620) free of charge.
Fees
WIPO Center's Administration Fee | Mediator's Fee |
|---|---|
SGD 50 per party | SGD 500 per party (includes 4 hours of preparation and mediation) |
(*) Based on the WIPO Center's experience, an average WIPO trade mark mediation involves up to 15 hours.
SMC Mediation
More details on SMC Mediation for IPOS proceedings can be found here under "Intellectual property".
Fees
Filing Fee | Mediation Fee |
|---|---|
SGD 272.50 (inclusive of GST) per party | SGD 2,997.50 (inclusive of GST) per party per day, which includes:
This fee only applies for disputes that are not monetarily quantifiable. |
SIMC Mediation
Please contact SIMC (Chuan Wee Meng) for more details on SIMC Mediation for IPOS proceedings.
Fees
Mediation Fee |
|---|
SGD 5,500 for 2 parties, which includes:
SGD 2,750 per additional party, if there are more than 2 parties |
Useful links
Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme
Find out your eligibility for the scheme.
IP Dispute Resolution
Singapore offers one of the world’s most robust regimes for the protection of intangible assets and intellectual property (IA/IP).
WIPO-ASEAN Mediation Programme (AMP+)
Receive support to mediate your IP and technology disputes.
Mediation Cases
Each mediation case write-up is available individually.