On the morning of April 8, 2024, a delegation of experts from the Singapore Mediation Association and ResoX Mediation Organization visited National Economics University (NEU) and delivered a lecture on “Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – Singapore’s Experience” to the University’s students. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, and representatives of the leadership of the University’s units welcomed and met with the delegation.

An overview of the welcome meeting

Also attending the meeting as members of the expert delegation were Linda Heng, Co-founder and Director of ResoX Mediation Organization; Dixon Soh, Singapore Mediation Association; Donna Ross, an independent lawyer, arbitrator, and mediator and Head of Donna Ross Dispute Resolution; Michael Lam, Mediator, Singapore Mediation Association; and Stephen Poh, Mediator, Singapore Mediation Association. Also representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nam, Dean of the Faculty of Law; Dr. Pham Sy Long, Deputy Head of the Department of International Cooperation; and the University’s faculty, staff, and students.

Welcoming the experts from the Singapore Mediation Association and ResoX Mediation Organization and speaking with them in a cordial atmosphere, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu thanked the delegation for taking the time to visit and meet with the University. During the meeting, he provided an overview of the University’s development history, strengths, and achievements in recent years. The Vice President expressed his hope that the visit would play an important role in further advancing cooperation between the University and mediation associations and organizations in legal education, helping enhance students’ practical capabilities and meet learners’ growing needs.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu speaks with the delegation of experts from the Singapore Mediation Association and ResoX Mediation Organization

On behalf of the expert delegation, Linda Heng, Co-founder and Director of ResoX Mediation Organization, thanked NEU’s leadership for their warm welcome. She discussed economic and sociocultural aspects, Singapore’s legal and judicial system, and favorable factors that could enable arbitration and mediation to develop strongly in Vietnam in the future. The Singapore Mediation Association and ResoX Mediation Organization are always keen to cooperate and share their successful experiences in developing dispute resolution methods through arbitration and mediation, strengthening exchanges to promote the development of these methods in Vietnam. Linda Heng expressed her hope that the two organizations would engage in more in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the future, in line with NEU’s development goal of strengthening international cooperation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu presents gifts and poses for a commemorative photo with the delegation of experts from the Singapore Mediation Association and ResoX Mediation Organization

Following the discussion, a representative of ResoX Mediation Organization shared insights into commercial mediation practices in Singapore and the Government’s role in promoting the use of ADR methods. In Singapore, mediation is a primary method of dispute resolution, and parties involved in court proceedings are encouraged to mediate before bringing their disputes to court. In addition to policy support and court-based mediation, the ResoX Mediation Organization representative emphasized the independence of private mediation organizations established to meet the needs of domestic and foreign businesses. Linda Heng also identified two key factors in promoting the development of mediation: expanding the development and delivery of mediation training programs to enhance the dispute resolution capabilities of mediators, lawyers, and legal practitioners through commercial mediation; and ensuring recognition of successful mediated settlements by acceding to the 2018 Singapore Convention on Mediation.

Welcoming legal experts in alternative dispute resolution to visit and lecture at NEU is an annual event organized by the Faculty of Law in coordination with several of NEU’s departments, faculties, and institutes.

The event aims to provide a forum for students and lecturers from the University’s Faculty of Law and School of Advanced Education Programs, High-Quality Programs & POHE to interact, learn, and share the experiences of Singapore and other countries in ADR—alternative dispute resolution—in today’s volatile world. It also introduces and raises awareness of arbitration and mediation activities and shares practical legal cases that have been or are being handled in different countries, thereby helping NEU’s lecturers and students gain a richer understanding of these activities.

Over two hours, the University’s lecturers and students heard from the following experts: Linda Heng, who shared the three pillars for building a successful mediation model in practice in Singapore; Dixon Soh, who shared Singapore’s experience in mediating intellectual property disputes; Donna Ross, an independent lawyer, arbitrator, and mediator and Founder of the Donna Ross Dispute Resolution Center, who introduced Australia’s mediation model and experience; Michael Lam, a mediator, who shared community mediation experience from the perspective of a member of the Singapore Mediation Association; and Stephen Poh, who introduced and discussed the skills required of a mediator from AMC, a mediation organization in Singapore.

Through the lecture’s content, participants gained valuable knowledge and up-to-date skills that they can apply in legal practice to resolve disputes through alternatives to court proceedings.

Some images from the lecture:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.