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Neutral evaluation
In this section:
- What is neutral evaluation (from 1 April 2022)
- Going for neutral evaluation in the State Courts (from 1 April 2022)
- What is neutral evaluation
- Going for neutral evaluation in the State Courts
Going for neutral evaluation in the State Courts
Neutral evaluation may be provided by the courts or other organisations besides the courts.
Note
This page describes neutral evaluation by the State Courts' Court Dispute Resolution Cluster (CDRC). The details listed below may not apply to neutral evaluation by other organisations.
For neutral evaluation by the CDRC, you must be represented by a lawyer. The evaluators are State Court judges.
Before neutral evaluation
The neutral evaluation process in the CDRC starts with a preliminary conference. This is usually within 21 days after a case has been referred for neutral evaluation.
In general, you do not need to attend the first session if you are represented by a lawyer. If necessary, you may be asked to attend future sessions.
This preliminary conference is for the lawyers to discuss with the judge:
- Whether the evaluation will be binding.
- Whether affidavits of evidence-in-chief will be exchanged.
- Who the factual and expert witnesses are.
- The dates for the neutral evaluation hearing.
Tip
A binding judgment is similar to a court judgment. You may wish to choose this as a quick way to resolve the dispute.
What to prepare
Before attending a neutral evaluation hearing, you and your lawyer should:
- Submit your opening statement to the CDRC via email to sc_cdr@judiciary.gov.sg no later than 2 working days before the date of the first neutral evaluation hearing.
- Your opening statement must be prepared according to the Opening Statement for Plaintiff/Defendant (Neutral evaluation) (Form 9K, State Courts Practice Directions).
- Note: Keep the statement concise and within 10 pages.
- You should serve the opening statement on all other parties in the dispute. You are free to choose how you would like to do so. For example, you may send the opening statement via email or post. You do not need to engage a lawyer or a court process server for this.
- Prepare all relevant documents relating to your dispute.
- These may include letters, email exchanges, invoices, contractual agreements, expert reports and photographs.
- You should be prepared to present the legal and factual aspects of your case, and these documents should support your case.
- Set aside sufficient time in your schedule to attend the hearing.
- In general, a dispute may be resolved after 1 to 3 sessions. Each session usually takes about 3 hours. The duration and number of sessions may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the parties' attitudes.
You need to prepare all relevant documents relating to liability and costs. Refer to the full list of the documents in Appendix B of the State Court Practice Directions.
At your neutral evaluation hearing
You, the other party and your lawyers will present your case and evidence to the evaluator. Key witnesses from both sides will also testify.
The process is as follows:
The stage | What happens |
|---|---|
Plaintiff's initial presentation | You, your lawyer and your key witnesses will present your case. |
Defendant’s initial presentation | The defendant, the defendant’s lawyer and their key witnesses will present their case. |
Questioning by the evaluator | The evaluator will ask questions to clarify the information given and may identify areas of agreement or disagreement. This may occur at any time during the hearing. |
Testimony from expert witnesses | Expert witnesses may be called to testify. |
Closing responses | Both you and the defendant make your final statements. |
Evaluation | The evaluator will give an oral assessment of the merits of each party's case. |
Expert witnesses may testify in a method called witness conferencing. This is where witnesses:
- Speak at a panel discussion led by the judge instead of being cross-examined individually, one after another.
- Can discuss and clarify areas of disagreement.
After your neutral evaluation hearing
If an agreement is reached
You and the other party will record a consent judgment or settlement agreement.
If any party fails to comply with the terms of the settlement agreement, the other may enforce it as a court order. There is no need for another hearing before a judge.
If no agreement is reached
The judge may recommend other dispute resolution options or direct both parties to take steps to proceed to a trial.
The judge who conducted your neutral evaluation will not be the judge conducting the trial. The information discussed during the neutral evaluation process will remain confidential and will not be revealed to the trial judge.
Need help?
The information here is for general guidance as the courts do not provide legal advice. If you need further help, you may want to get independent legal advice.
Find out moreResources
Refer to:
- Paragraphs 35 and 36 of the State Courts Practice Directions for the dispute resolution process for civil cases in the State Courts.
- Paragraph 42 of the State Courts Practice Directions for neutral evaluation in the State Courts.
Related questions
The judge will make an assessment of the merits of the case during neutral evaluation.
You should do the following:
- Obtain the necessary evidence, such as photos and reports.
- Prepare the appropriate indication forms.
- Be prepared to present the legal and factual aspects of the case during the session.
On the day of the session
Ensure that both you and your client (if the client's attendance is required) set aside sufficient time for the neutral evaluation session.
If the client is representing an organisation or company, ensure that they have been given the authority to settle the case. If your client has to consult someone, ensure that they are able to contact the person via phone during the session.
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