A Competency Framework to Clarify Benchmarks in Mediation

SIMI has formulated a SIMI Competency Framework for Mediators, comprising a list of 22 competencies. This framework will provide clarity and transparency on the skills and behaviours required of a professional mediator and support the professionalism of the industry.?

The SIMI Competency Framework of Mediators is the result of SIMI's first major review of its mediation standards and accreditation schemes since the organisation was established in 2014. This review, initiated in March 2022, was a timely one given the growth in the volume of mediation training, increasing number of mediations (domestically and internationally) and other developments in the mediation landscape. This included Singapore’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements resulting from Mediation (“Singapore Convention on Mediation”), where Article 5(1)(e) arguably highlighted the importance of having a clearer industry understanding of standards given that a court could refuse to enforce an international mediated settlement agreement where there was a serious breach of standards applicable to the mediator or the mediation.

The review took the form of a 2-day focus group study which involved 33 participants comprising primarily SIMI-accredited mediators, mediation academics and representatives of SIMI Registered Training Programme (RTP) Partners. The objective was to collaboratively build consensus among the Singapore mediation community of the competencies (as represented by clearly identified skills and behaviours) required of a professional mediator. Such competencies would form an objective basis from which professional practice standards amongst mediators could be defined.

The competency framework was developed in alignment with the core values and principles of mediation, namely self-determination, neutrality/impartiality, the voluntary nature of mediation, confidentiality, safety of the mediation session and quality. It covers four main domains:

• Mediation knowledge and process management
• Relationship management
• Mediation content management
• Mediator self-management

SIMI will use the framework as a reference when reviewing its Code of Conduct. It?will also continue to engage with partners and stakeholders to fine-tune the details of the Framework, and its subsequent implementation.