Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme
What is Neutral Evaluation and Determination?
Neutral evaluation and neutral determination are private processes where parties agree to refer their dispute to a Neutral whose role will be to provide a summary evaluation of the dispute or temporary determination of the matter.
The aim of the neutral evaluation and neutral determination processes is to create stable truces and lasting peace by dealing with disagreements and disputes that do not reach formal proceedings. These processes are generally speedier and less costly than litigation and arbitration. The Law Society of Singapore administers the Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme (‘LSNEDS’).
Important features of the LSNEDS
- All types of civil disputes are suitable for neutral evaluation and neutral determination and there is no monetary limit for a civil dispute under the LSNEDS.
- Parties are not permanently saddled with the result; they have a subsequent chance of asserting their rights through the formal dispute resolution processes.
- The evaluation or determination is strictly limited to those parties and that dispute.
- It also remains a possibility that a party who commences litigation or arbitration on the substantive dispute might obtain a stay of a determination pending the resolution of the proceedings. This preserves parties’ rights and the court’s or tribunal’s discretion in appropriate cases.
- An evaluation is advisory only. In contrast, a determination or a costs decision is binding until the dispute is ultimately determined by an arbitrator or a court or other body of competent jurisdiction.
- The Neutral will give the Evaluation or Determination to the parties within (14) days after the date of the Neutral’s receipt of the Response or the date for giving the Response, whichever is earlier.
The LSNEDS Panel of Neutrals
The President of the Law Society will appoint the Neutral from the LSNEDS Panel of Neutrals (‘Panel’). The members of this Panel are experienced lawyers who have satisfied the criteria set out by the Law Society of Singapore.
The list of Panel members can be viewed here.
Fees
Neutral’s fees under the LSNEDS is fixed according to a scale prescribed by the Law Society. Administrative charges are also payable upon delivery of an application for neutral proceeding.
Click here for a copy of the current LSNEDS Neutral’s Fees and Administrative Charges.
Apply for Neutral Evaluation and Determination
Frequently Asked Questions
For a list of frequently asked questions on the LSNEDS, please click here.
Contact Us
For queries on the LSNEDS, please e-mail adr@lawsoc.org.sg.
Apply for Neutral Evaluation and Determination
To apply for a Neutral proceeding under the Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme (LSNEDS), the party initiating proceedings shall deliver an Application for Neutral Evaluation and Determination (NED) (the Application) to the respondent.
A copy of the Application shall be delivered to The Law Society of Singapore by e-mail at adr@lawsoc.org.sg.
The Application shall contain all facts and matters on which the applicant relies, including:
- The names and email addresses of the parties to the dispute;
- Whether the applicant applies for a neutral evaluation or neutral determination;
- A statement of the facts and particulars supporting the applicant’s claim;
- Copies of all documents relied upon, including the agreement giving rise to the dispute (if any) and the Neutral proceeding agreement;
- The contentions of fact and law supporting the applicant’s position;
- All items of relief and remedy sought by the applicant;
- All quantifiable items of claim with accompanying calculations and breakdown (where applicable); and
- A statement that the dispute is not the subject of existing or concluded proceedings before an arbitrator or a court or other body of competent jurisdiction.
A sample Application for Neutral Evaluation and Determination is coming soon.
Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme Resources
Find and download important forms and resources:
Fee Schedule
Find out about the relevant fees
LSNEDS Handbook
Find out an overview of the LSNEDS including the LSNEDS Rules
LSNEDS FAQs
Find out frequently asked questions about the LSNEDS
Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme Panel
To find out about our qualifying requirements for the Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme Panel click here.
Neutrals
Mr Allen Choong Kean Hin
Allen & Gledhill LLP
Mr Andrew Chan Chee Yin
Allen & Gledhill LLP
Mr Arul Andre Ravindran Saravanapavan
Arul Chew & Partners
Mrs Aye Cheng Shone
A C Shone & Co
Mr Aziz Tayabali Samiwalla
Aziz Tayabali & Associates
Ms Bhargavan Sujatha
Gavan Law Practice LLC
Mr Chia Chor Leong
Breakpoint LLC
Mr Chia Ho Choon
Ho & Wee LLP
Mr Chia Peng Chuang Michael
Chris Chong & CT Ho LLP
Mr Choo Yu Jin Jonathan
Vantage Chambers LLC
Mr Chooi Yue Wai Kenny
Adsan Law LLC
Mr Colin Seow
Colin Seow Chambers LLC
Mr Dato Jude P Benny
Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP
Mr Edmund Jerome Kronenburg
Braddell Brothers LLP
Mr Eric Ng Yuen
Malkin & Maxwell LLP
Ms Fong Lee Cheng, Jennifer
Eldan Law LLP
Mr Francis Xavier, S.C.
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Mr Govindarajalu Asokan
Govind Law Corporation
Mr Henry Heng Gwee Nam
Kennedys Legal Solutions Pte Ltd
Ms Ho Chye Hoon
KEL LLC
Mr Jason Lim Chen Thor
Jason Lim Law Chambers
Mr Jimmy Yap Tuck Kong
CNPLaw LLP
Mr Joseph Tay Weiwen
Shook Lin & Bok LLP
Mr Leo Cheng Suan
Infinitus Law Corporation
Mr Lim Tat
Aequitas Law LLP
Ms Lynette Chew Mei Lin
CMS Cameron McKenna Olswang (Singapore) LLP
Mr Mahendra Prasad Rai
Cooma & Rai
Ms Margaret Yeow Tin Tin
Hoh Law Corporation
Ms Moi Sok Ling
MOI Law Corporation
Ms Monica Neo Kim Cheng
Chan Neo LLP
Mr Naresh Mahtani
Adelphi Law Chambers LLC
Mr Nicholas Philip Lazarus
Justicius Law Corporation
Mr Paul Sandosham
Clifford Chance Pte Ltd
Mr Paul Wong Por Luk
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Mr Philip Fong Yeng Fatt
Harry Elias Partnership LLP
Mr Raymond Chan
Chan Neo LLP
Mr Raymond Lye Hoong Yip
Union Law LLP
Mr Rengarajoo s/o Rengasamy Balasamy
B Rengarajoo & Associates
Mr Richard Lim Teck Hock
Richard Lim & Co Advocates & Solicitors
Mr Samuel Chacko
Legis Point LLC
Mr Steven John Lam Kuet Keng
Templars Law LLC
Mr Sureshan s/o T Kulasingam
Sureshan LLC
Mr Tan Chee Meng, S.C.
WongPartnership LLP
Ms Teresa Chan Pui Woo
C. Teresa Law Corporation
Mr Tham Wei Chern
Fullerton Law Chambers LLC
Dr Ti Seng Wei Edward
WongPartnership LLP
Mr Timothy Ng Wai Keong
Timothy Ng LLC
Mr Timothy Tan Thye Hoe
AsiaLegal LLC
Mr Tito Shane Isaac
Tito Isaac & Co LLP
Mr Yong Boon On
Eldan Law LLP
Qualifying Requirements for Admission to the Panel of Neutrals
Members who seek to be admitted to the LSNEDS Panel of Neutrals must satisfy the following requirements:
- they have been in practice as an advocate and solicitor (as defined in the Legal Profession Act) for a period of not less than 10 years in aggregate; and
- they must provide undertakings, namely, to act as a neutral if appointed by the Law Society at the scale of fees as determined by the Law Society from time to time; and
- they must satisfy the following requirements:
- they have acted as an adjudicator and/or arbitrator and/or neutral; and
- they have written at least 2 reasoned awards and/or adjudication determination and/or neutral evaluation and/or neutral determination.
