PROMOTION OF ADR IN SINGAPORE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

Abstract

Alternative Dispute Resolution has been the buzzword in many industries in the western countries. It is slowly becoming the preferred option to litigation which often takes up too much of one's resources. Although ADR may note be as hot a topic in Asian countries, it has nonetheless been around. In the past when there were disputes, the villagers did not go to the courts to settle their disputes; rather, they would go to their village head to ask him to help then settle it. Thus this was basically the essence of ADR at work. However in recent years, ADR is slowly starting to make its presence felt in Singapore by becoming more formalized by having the government's recognition and endorsement. It is also starting to become more structured and there are rules regulating the operation of ADR. The author investigated the level of knowledge of ADR amongst Singaporeans and found that most of them have no idea of what ADR involves. Hence, the aim of this dissertation is to investigate whether enough promotion has been done for ADR as a useful and alternative dispute resolution tool.