This book will be the 9th Volume of Contemporary Issues in Mediation (CIIM), a thought-leadership publication which compiles the top submissions from an annual mediation essay competition organised by the Singapore International Mediation Institute. This book is edited by Singapore's leading experts on mediation and negotiation, Professor Joel Lee and Marcus Lim. CIIM is a unique and valuable addition to the growing body of mediation and dispute resolution literature. CIIM is the only publication in the market which seeks to explore current theories and applications of mediation concepts and practices in detail. Presently, most publications adopt a descriptive approach when outlining the uses of mediation. CIIM introduces an evaluative component into literature on this niche subject matter and pushes the boundaries of mediation thoughts and theory. Further, readers stand to benefit from a diverse range of topics selected for their high quality of research and novelty. This will support the development of mediation as a profession undergirded by certain professional standards and practices. With the coming into force of the Singapore Convention on Mediation in 2020, mediation is taking a permanent place in the dispute resolution landscape. The success of the past eight volumes of CIIM is a testament to the growing interest in the wide variety of issues that arise in this specialised field.
Joel Lee is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore. Joel co-pioneered the teaching of Negotiation and Mediation in the Singapore universities and has played a significant role in furthering the development of mediation in Singapore, not just in education but in practice. A graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and Harvard Law School, Joel is a partner with CMP Cambridge (USA) and a principal mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Joel was a member of the International Mediation Institute's Independent Standards Commission and Intercultural Taskforce and was also a key member of the Ministry of Law's Working Group on International Commercial Mediation. Joel is presently the founding Chair of the Board of the Singapore International Mediation Institute. He is also a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Joel has taught overseas at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark); University of Law, Economics and Science of Aix-Marseille (Aix-en-Provence, France); and Anglia Law School (UK), and is the co-editor and co-author of the book An Asian Perspective on Mediation and the Singapore Mediation Handbook, and the General Editor for the Asian Journal on Mediation. In 2011, Joel was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award, which is the National University of Singapore's highest teaching award.
Marcus Lim is the Country Manager (Singapore) for Lupl. Lupl is the open industry platform for legal matters that brings together in one place the people, conversations, documents, data and knowledge for legal matters, providing real-time 360-degree visibility and control.
Prior to joining Lupl, Marcus was the first Executive Director, and later CEO, of the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI), where he spearheaded many initiatives in growing the organisation into an internationally recognised and credible brand for mediation standards.
He holds appointments as Adjunct Assistant Professor for Negotiation and Mediation Workshops at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, and was the coordinator for both courses in 2017. A graduate from the prestigious Law and Business Double Degree Programme at the National University of Singapore, he is a consultant with CMP Cambridge (USA). He is certified in the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument for Conflict and Change Management. Marcus is a SIMI Certified Mediator, an Associate Mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre and a court-appointed volunteer mediator for the Small Claims Tribunal at the State Courts. Prior to joining SIMI, Marcus practiced at Rajah & Tann LLP's Competition and Technology, Media and Telecommunications Practice Group.
Marcus has extensive experience conducting negotiation and mediation trainings for staff and in the management of government organisations, as well as multinational corporations across a diverse range of sectors, such as finance, retail, real estate, IT, education, and the healthcare industry.
Muhammad Syazwan Bin Ramli is a recent graduate of the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore (NUS), where he undertook courses in Mediation and Negotiation. During his undergraduate studies, Syazwan was a seasoned participant in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) competition circuit, representing NUS in notable international ADR competitions. Notably, he and his team earned an award for Distinction in Teamwork between Counsel and Client at the 18th ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition 2023 (ICC Paris) held in France, where they placed 6th worldwide. Syazwan also clinched top awards in other ADR competitions, such as the CDRC A&G Inter-Varsity Cup 2023, the University of Central Florida Conciliator Mediation Tournament 2022, and International Mediation Singapore (IMSG) 2021. After graduation, Syazwan continues to be a coach for NUS' Collaborative Dispute Resolution Club, developing the negotiation and mediation skills of current law students.
