MP Shawn Loh asks govt to consider making it easier for neighbours to be referred to court if mediation fails

The Ministry of Law said this has been considered, but there are some difficulties.

Gawain Pek

February 05, 2026, 12:03 PM

In Parliament on Feb. 4, Jalan Besar GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Shawn Loh filed a question asking if the Ministry of Law can reduce the barriers for neighbours to seek recourse through the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT), a court process that hears neighbour disputes.

Loh's question came weeks after a long-running neighbour dispute in Boon Keng made rounds online.

Some difficulties in allowing CMC to refer cases

Loh suggested that the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), the primary avenue for neighbours to seek recourse in the event of a dispute, be empowered to refer cases involving failed mediation to the CDRT without requiring a fresh application or additional costs.

In a written reply, Minister for Law Edwin Tong noted that the ministry has considered this in the past.

"However, this is difficult to implement as the CMC is not able to share detailed case information with the CDRT as the mediation process is private and confidential," Tong said.

He also pointed out that the CDRT is an "avenue of last resort" for addressing neighbour disputes, pursued after "all other amicable options" have failed.

As a court of law, the CDRT adheres to certain principles to ensure "fair and proper administration of justice".

These principles include the need for claims to be supported by evidence and for respondents to be given the opportunity of a fair hearing.

Community Relations Unit pilot

At present, a Community Relations Unit (CRU) staffed by officers trained in mediation is undergoing a one-year trial in Tampines.

The trial began in April 2025.

The CRU officers are empowered to investigate cases, collect evidence and submit it to the CDRT, the minister said.

According to the CRU webpage, officers may take steps such as deploying noise sensors to collect evidence of noise disturbances.

On top of their prevailing powers, Tong shared that the ministry is working to operationalise an enhanced process to enable the Director-General of the CRU to apply for a dispute to be heard by the CDRT.

Tong also commented that the CDRT framework is intended to be "affordable and accessible", adding that filing fees are kept low with fee waiver options available to those in financial need.

The CDRT processes are also much simpler than other litigation proceedings, the minister said.