Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary process involving a neutral third-party known as the mediator. The mediator listens to disputing parties and facilitates discussions to reach an amicable settlement of the disputes without going to arbitration or court litigation.
Mediation is conducted on a without prejudice basis and in confidential, non-confrontational manner. Most of the time, it is also a cheaper and faster alternative to arbitration or court litigation.
Our experts’ involvement in mediation will enable parties to have independent views of technical, delay and cost issues and to consider pragmatic solutions which are mutually acceptable.
Arbitration
Arbitration is a dispute resolution method that provides a final and binding outcome. The primary basis of arbitration is disputing parties’ agreement to arbitrate, which usually (but not always) is contained in the contract.
In arbitration the parties submit dispute(s) to an appointed decision-maker (the arbitrator) or a panel of arbitrators (the tribunal). The conduct of arbitration process is governed by procedural rules and the law of the seat of the arbitration.
The tribunal will generally give its decision (the award) following a hearing during which each party will have equal opportunity to present its case. The tribunal will decide on the dispute(s) in accordance with the law governing the relevant contract.
The role of expert witness in arbitration is similar as that of the expert in court litigation. Whether appointed by the parties (or less commonly by the tribunal) the expert is required to give his/her independent expert opinion on the issue(s) referred to him/her, based on the facts presented and applying his/her own expertise and experience.
The disputing parties and the tribunal may question or challenge the expert and, eventually, the tribunal decides which expert’s evidence it prefers or, in the case of a single expert, whether to accept his/her evidence.
Our experts have regularly provided expert testimonies in arbitration to offer their independent professional opinions on various issues involving programme schedule, measurement and valuation.
Our clients benefit from our experts who are well-qualified, experienced and creative.
Litigation
Court litigation refers to dispute resolution by means of a country’s judicial system. The process is sometimes more commonly known as “taking legal action” or “suing someone” in court.
In court litigation of civil case, a party called the plaintiff (or claimant) initiates legal proceedings against a party defending against the lawsuit (called the defendant) in order to pursue a claim.
Legal proceedings in Singapore may take up to 18 months at the State Courts, and up to 24 months or more at the High Court, although the actual duration will very much depend on the unique facts / circumstances of each case. Usually, disputing parties are represented by law firms / lawyers throughout the legal proceedings.
An expert witness’ duty in court litigation is to assist the court and this duty overrides his/her duty to the client.
Our experts have regularly appeared in court to provide expert witness evidence, offering their independent and unbiased professional opinions on various issues involving programme schedule, measurement and valuation.
Our clients benefit from our experts who are well-regarded, trusted and sturdy during cross-examinations.