Mediation Stage
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After the summons is filed, both the plaintiff and the defendant shall present themselves to the Court for mediation on the date and at the time stated in the summons. They should bring with them the following:
 
  1. Identity Card
  2. CPF Statement (Public Housing Scheme)
  3. Letter from HDB about the status of their flat.
  4. Divorce Registration Fee.
  5. Bank Book (wife).
  6. Children's Birth Certificates.
  7. Two originial Marriage Certificates.


   Mediation Process

At the mediation stage, the divorce and ancillary issues such as custody of children, division of matrimonial property and payment of nafkah iddah and mut'ah will be discussed. The Mediator will help the couple come to a settlement on all the issues.
If an agreement between the two is reached at this stage, the Mediator will prepare a consent document, whereupon both parties will swear before the Judge that they have agreed to a divorce. The Judge will order that the divorce be registered and the process ends there.


   Objects of Mediation

Mediation is carried out with the following objectives:
  1. To help parties reach a divorce settlement within a shorter time. Parties wishing their matter to be settled at the mediation stage must reach agreement on the following issues:
    • Divorce.
    • Payment of nafkah iddah and mut'ah.
    • Custody of children.
    • Division of matrimonial property.
  2. To dispense with a Court hearing which may have an undesirable effect on the children.
  3. To help parties have a better understanding of issues relating to divorce so that they will make proper decisions.
  4. To help parties save cost if their matter can be settled at the mediation stage.
  5. To make it easier for matters relating to children and matrimonial property to be discussed and resolved should these arise after the divorce.
  6. To avoid dissatisfaction between parties in that the decision to divorce is their own and not the Court's.
  7. To save parties from washing dirty linen in public.
Mediation is a process encouraged in Islam. Allah's commandment in the Quran,
scripture

"If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best. Even though men's souls are swayed by greed, if you do good and practise self-restraint, Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do." 4 : 128
 
Islam advocates the amicable settlement of every dispute to avoid antagonism between parties. In a divorce, an amicable settlement between parties would generate in them a sense of respect for each other even though they have separated. Consequently, issues relating to the children too can be settled judiciously.
 
If no settlement can be reached at the Mediation stage, the case will be transferred to the Pre-Trial Conference or PTC stage. The PTC will take place before the Registrar of the Court one or two months after mediation. Parties will be advised to engage their own counsel as many legal matters will be discussed at this stage.