Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2A · Community Relations Officers
13M. Referral for mediation by community relations officer, etc.
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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:
Community Mediation Centre
“Community Mediation Centre” means a Community Mediation Centre established under section 3 of the Community Mediation Centres Act 1997;
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).
The persons who may issue a direction under subsection (1) are —
a community relations officer so authorised under this Part;
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;
a person authorised in writing by a mediation entity that administers a mediation under a direction issued under subsection (1); and
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:
a public officer;
an officer or employee of a statutory body.
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 —
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.
A direction issued under subsection (1) is final.
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 —
unreasonable interference
“unreasonable interference”, in relation to a neighbour of an individual, means unreasonable interference with the enjoyment or use of the place of residence that the neighbour resides in.
an action on a claim under section 4 has been brought in any court; and
the subject of the claim is substantially the same as that of the complaint or dispute.