Criminal mediation

What is criminal mediation

Criminal mediation is one of the orders a magistrate can make upon receiving a Magistrate's Complaint.

Mediation aims to help the complainant and respondent resolve their dispute. A neutral mediator will facilitate negotiations between the parties to help them find their own solutions.

The court will issue a notice to the complainant and respondent with the date, time and venue of the mediation.

Possible outcomes of criminal mediation

If both parties reach an agreement, they may sign a settlement agreement and the complaint will be closed.

If both parties do not reach an agreement, one of the following can happen:

• The case may be scheduled for another round of mediation.
• The case may be referred back to the magistrate, who will give further directions.

Where criminal mediation is held

The mediation session may be conducted by one of the following centres:

• The State Courts Centre for Dispute Resolution.
• The Ministry of Law's Community Mediation Centre.