Mediation Institutions of Asia

The world's first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving disputes through mediation — between states, between states and foreign investors, and between private commercial parties. Inaugurated October 2025 in the converted Old Wan Chai Police Station, it is the first IGO headquartered in Hong Kong.

Settled its first international commercial case — a maritime charterparty dispute — in May 2026; Teresa Cheng serves as first Secretary-General.

Independent international mediation provider specializing in cross-border commercial disputes, administering cases under hybrid protocols including Arb-Med-Arb with SIAC and a joint protocol with JIMC-Kyoto. Runs the Specialist Mediators' Workshop circuit across Asia — Tokyo, Delhi, Guangzhou, Tashkent — from its base at Maxwell Chambers.

2023 caseload nearly quadrupled from 2019, with users from 61 jurisdictions; launched MAIA, a mediation AI assistant, in 2024.

Singapore's main domestic ADR provider since 1997 — mediation, adjudication (notably construction payment disputes), and neutral evaluation — backed by the Singapore Judiciary, Singapore Academy of Law and Ministry of Law. Also a major regional mediation training provider.

More than 6,300 matters worth over S$14 billion mediated since launch; roughly two-thirds settle, over 90% of those within a day.

Singapore's independent standards and accreditation body for mediation — it administers no disputes, but runs the four-tier mediator credentialing scheme, accredits training providers, maintains the public mediator registry and publishes the competency framework and code of conduct for the profession.

A subsidiary of the National University of Singapore, established 2014 with Ministry of Law support.

Research and thought-leadership academy at SMU's Yong Pung How School of Law focused on dispute resolution theory, practice and policy, with particular depth in international mediation and the Singapore Convention. Directed by Professor Nadja Alexander.

Publishes the recurring SIDRA International Dispute Resolution Survey — the leading empirical study of dispute resolution users produced in Asia.

One of Asia's leading dispute resolution institutions since 1985. Alongside its dominant arbitration business, HKIAC administers mediations under the HKIAC Mediation Rules, maintains mediator panels and appoints mediators when parties cannot agree.

A founder member of HKMAAL, Hong Kong's mediator accreditation body, in 2012.

The city's industry-led mediator accreditation body, founded in 2012 by the Bar Association, Law Society, HKIAC and Hong Kong Mediation Centre. Accredits general and family mediators, approves training courses, administers CPD and maintains the Hong Kong Mediation Code.

Approved an updated Hong Kong Mediation Code in April 2026 and now runs a Greater Bay Area accreditation stream.

Not-for-profit online dispute resolution centre offering e-mediation, e-arbitration and online deal-making on a secure platform with real-time translation and document time-stamping. Established 2018 with support from the Asian Academy of International Law, the Bar Association and the Law Society.

Operates an APEC ODR service for cross-border B2B disputes and ran Hong Kong's COVID-19 ODR scheme.

China's first commercial mediation institution, founded 1987 under the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Mediates domestic and international commercial disputes and pioneered cross-border joint mediation with partner institutions in Germany, the US, UK, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Operates a nationwide network of 62 sub-centers and sits on the Supreme People's Court international commercial court 'one-stop' platform.

Founded 2011 as the first institution in China specializing in commercial dispute mediation, handling trade, investment, finance, IP and maritime disputes with around 100 registered mediators including foreign nationals. Runs Sino-European and Sino-US co-mediation mechanisms.

The only NGO designated by the China International Commercial Court as a mediation institution on its one-stop platform.

The Supreme Court of India's committee overseeing court-annexed mediation nationwide since 2005 — designing the standard 40-hour mediator training, accrediting mediators, and coordinating with state legal services authorities and judicial academies.

Launched the nationwide 'Mediation for the Nation 2.0' campaign in January 2026.

Bengaluru-based pioneer of private commercial mediation in India, administering commercial mediations with a panel of trained mediators and running multi-level mediator training programs recognized internationally.

Its qualifying assessment program has been IMI-approved since 2017 — among the earliest in India.

Japan's first international commercial mediation centre, established 2018 and administered by the Japan Association of Arbitrators at Doshisha University in Kyoto. Panels pair leading international mediators with Japanese advisors for cross-border disputes involving Japanese parties.

Operates a joint mediation protocol with SIMC for Japan-related cross-border disputes.

The cross-border division of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board — the sole arbitral institution statutorily authorized under the Korean Arbitration Act — administering international arbitration and mediation with dedicated panels, model clauses and hearing facilities at the Seoul International Dispute Resolution Center.

KCAB has administered over 7,000 arbitrations historically alongside a substantial conciliation and mediation docket.

UNCITRAL's regional technical-assistance office in Incheon. Not a mediation provider, but the key disseminator of the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation and the Singapore Convention framework, running workshops that help Asia-Pacific states modernize their mediation laws.

Hosts the annual UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Day plus judicial summits and ADR conferences region-wide.

Full-service international ADR institution in Kuala Lumpur, established 1978 under an intergovernmental framework. Administers mediation under the AIAC Mediation Rules 2026, aligned with Malaysia's Mediation Act 2012, alongside arbitration, adjudication and domain-name disputes.

Its Mediation Rules 2026 introduce negotiable mediator fees, concurrent mediation alongside arbitration, and a model Arb-Med-Arb clause.

Thai institution providing international-standard arbitration and mediation since 2015, with a dedicated mediation service line, a public directory of neutrals and online cost calculators.

Maintains one of the region's more transparent public fee-calculation tools for prospective parties.

A division of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre and the first centre providing professional commercial mediation under Vietnam's Decree 22/2017 on commercial mediation. Administers cases under the VMC Mediation Rules from offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Established 2018; its rules were the first institutional commercial mediation rules issued in Vietnam.

Indonesia's leading private mediation body, inaugurated 2003 by the Chief Justice and the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. Provides commercial mediation and is a Supreme Court-recognized training provider — including for judges — under Indonesia's court-annexed mediation regime.

Its Jakarta Initiative antecedent restructured 96 corporate-debt cases worth US$20.5 billion after the Asian financial crisis.

Non-profit ADR institution incorporated 1996 out of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry's arbitration committee. Administers arbitration and mediation under its own rules across maritime, banking, insurance, construction and IP disputes.

Co-founded the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG) in 2004.

Regional umbrella network of Asian mediation institutions founded in Singapore in 2007, promoting mediation of business disputes across the region through cross-border cooperation, mediator training and the AMA Conference series.

Conference series has been hosted in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and the Philippines.