Mandatory mediation a first step in settling neighbour disputes: Edwin Tong

He says new laws will see more 'bite' given to settlement agreements once spats are resolved

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The new laws to tackle disputes between neighbours aim to strengthen mediation and dialogue between neighbours, rather than have them look to the authorities to step in at every turn, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said.

This is why the Government was amending the Community Disputes Resolution Act to allow authorised officers to order neighbours to go for mediation, Mr Tong told Parliament on Nov 12.

It would encourage disputes to be amicably resolved, and addresses cases of neighbours who refuse to consider mediation, or do not show up for the mediation session despite agreeing to do so, he said.

This amendment was among the other changes to the Act meant to curb spats between neighbours that were passed in Parliament on Nov 12, following a debate that lasted over five hours.

Under the changes, a new Community Relations Unit (CRU) will be established, where officers will be given investigatory and enforcement powers to intervene in neighbour disputes; and the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) will also get enhanced powers to resolve cases brought before it more quickly and effectively.

Mr Tong told the House that the vast majority of disputes between neighbours are noise-related, pointing out that government agencies have received more than 90,000 such reports over the last three years, or an average of about 2,500 complaints a month.

Pointing to mediation facilitated by the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), he said this was quick, free and effective, noting that 80 per cent of voluntary mediation cases have been resolved. Since 2014, the centre has handled more than 2,400 cases.

He said the settlement rate may be lower when the changes are passed and neighbours are directed to go for mediation.