Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI)

What Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) does

Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) is a Singapore-incorporated non-profit professional standards body for mediation, established on 15 July 2014 with the support of Singapore's Ministry of Law and the National University of Singapore. Its core offering is the SIMI Credentialing Scheme, a four-tier professional accreditation program (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 Accredited Mediator, and SIMI Certified Mediator at the apex), governed by the SIMI Competency Framework for Mediators (18 competencies) and the SIMI Code of Professional Conduct. SIMI serves three primary constituencies: individual professional mediators seeking accreditation, mediation training and service organizations seeking Partner Scheme status (Registered Training Program, Registered Service Provider, and Qualifying Assessment Program tiers), and users of mediation searching for qualified practitioners via the SIMI Mediator Search, Decision Tree, and Dispute Analysis Tool. The institute reports a footprint of accredited mediators across 28 jurisdictions as of 2024 and publishes the annual Contemporary Issues in Mediation (CIIM) thought-leadership series, now in its tenth volume.

SIMI generates revenue through recurring credentialing application and renewal fees paid by mediators, recurring Partner Scheme registration and renewal fees paid by training and service organizations, and transactional fees for cross-recognition applications with the International Mediation Institute (IMI) and the Alliance of Organisations for Mediation Standards (AMS); specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution is primarily self-serve via the SIMI website portal, supplemented by direct engagement through Singapore Convention Week, the Singapore Convention Seminar Series, the National SMU-SIMI CDR Award, and the CIIM Research Essay Competition. The organization is led by an international Board of Directors chaired by Prof Joel Lee and operates with approximately 56 employees from its headquarters at 469G Bukit Timah Road, Singapore.

Following a 2025-2026 review with the Ministry of Law, SIMI has announced a wind-down of substantive operations, citing the maturity of Singapore's mediation ecosystem. The Partner Scheme will cease on 30 October 2026 and the Credentialing Scheme will cease on 31 March 2027, with the SIMI Register of Mediators remaining online until the latter date. SIMI is not publicly traded and discloses no revenue figures.

Name

Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI)

Legal name

Singapore International Mediation Institute

Website

https://simi.org.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) is a Singapore-based non-profit professional standards body that accredits mediators across four tiers, certifies mediation training and service providers, and publishes thought leadership on mediation, serving individual mediators, partner organizations, and dispute resolution users in 28 jurisdictions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mediation Professional Standards

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized/Single-Purpose Accreditors (e.g., seminaries, arts conservatories) (EDADACAD)

Keywords

• Mediator credentialing
• Mediation accreditation
• Professional standards
• Dispute resolution
• Mediator certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Credentialing Scheme Fees: SIMI charges fees for mediator credentialing applications including Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 accreditation and Certified Mediator certification.
2. Partner Scheme Fees: Fees for training providers and service providers seeking SIMI Registered Training Program (RTP), Registered Service Provider (RSP), and Qualifying Assessment Program (QAP) status.
3. Cross-Recognition Fees: Fees for cross-recognition applications with International Mediation Institute (IMI) and Alliance of Organisations for Mediation Standards (AMS).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SIMI operates as a non-profit professional standards body for mediation, providing a 4-tier Credentialing Scheme (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 Accredited Mediators, and Certified Mediator) for individual mediators, and a Partner Scheme accrediting training providers and service organizations (Registered Training Program, Registered Service Provider, Qualifying Assessment Program). It maintains a register of accredited mediators across 28 jurisdictions and supports international cross-recognition of mediator credentials.

Product overview

SIMI operates as a professional standards body for mediation, not a software product company. Its offerings consist of professional accreditation programs and professional development resources. The core product is the SIMI Credentialing Scheme with four tiers (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 Accredited Mediators and Certified Mediator), supported by the SIMI Partner Scheme for accrediting training providers (SIMI RTP, RSP, QAP). Professional standards are maintained through the SIMI Competency Framework for Mediators (18 competencies), Code of Professional Conduct, and Renewal Requirements. Online tools include a Mediator Search directory, Decision Tree framework, Dispute Analysis Tool, and Feedback Digest system. Thought leadership is delivered through the annual CIIM publication series, CIIM Research Essay Competition, and Singapore Convention Seminar Series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SIMI Credentialing Scheme A professional accreditation program for individual mediators comprising 4 tiers (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 Accredited Mediators, and SIMI Certified Mediator). Establishes professional standards for mediators in Singapore and the region.
• SIMI Partner Scheme Accreditation program for mediation training providers and mediation service providers, covering SIMI Registered Training Program (RTP), SIMI Registered Service Provider (RSP), and SIMI Qualifying Assessment Program (QAP) tiers.
• SIMI Registered Training Program (SIMI RTP) Accredited training courses that allow participants who pass the course assessment to apply for SIMI Accredited Mediator Level 1 status. Designed for mediation training providers seeking quality accreditation.
• SIMI Qualifying Assessment Program (SIMI QAP) The only SIMI Partner type able to qualify SIMI Certified Mediators and offer the full suite of SIMI Schemes. Designed for advanced mediation assessment providers.
• SIMI Registered Service Provider (SIMI RSP) Partner-tier accreditation for organizations providing mediation services under the SIMI ecosystem, ensuring quality mediation services aligned with SIMI standards.
• SIMI Private Mediation Verification Scheme Verification scheme for mediators conducting private mediations, enabling cross-recognition with the International Mediation Institute (IMI) without additional case submissions.
• Cross-Recognition Schemes International recognition arrangements enabling SIMI Certified Mediators to apply directly for IMI Certified Mediator status without additional case submissions, and cross-recognition with the Alliance of Organisations for Mediation Standards (AMS).

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Law Society of SingaporeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2023The Law Society of Singapore became a SIMI Registered Service Provider (RSP), providing quality mediation services under the SIMI ecosystem.
• International Mediation Institute (IMI)coreTechnology or Integration · 20 March 2023SIMI has a cross-recognition arrangement with IMI where SIMI Certified Mediators can apply directly to become IMI Certified Mediators without submitting additional cases. This leverages similar experience requirements in both certification schemes.
• Alliance of Organisations for Mediation Standards (AMS)coreTechnology or Integration · 20 March 2023SIMI is part of the Alliance of Organisations for Mediation Standards (AMS), a scheme to recognize mediator credentials across borders. The AMS cross-recognition scheme was formally launched in March 2023.
• Ministry of Law SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2014SIMI was established with support from the Ministry of Law Singapore as part of Singapore's initiative to develop into an international dispute resolution hub. The Ministry provides ongoing sector leadership for mediation growth.
• National University of SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2014SIMI was established with support from the National University of Singapore, contributing academic expertise and research capabilities to the mediation standards body.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• JAMS: US-based private provider of mediation and arbitration services with global neutrals; comparable as a broad ADR services incumbent whose mediator directory and credentialing functions parallel SIMI's Mediator Search tool.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center: UN-affiliated international ADR institution providing mediation and arbitration services; comparable as a multilateral standards and services body operating in the cross-border dispute resolution space.
• American Arbitration Association (AAA) / ICDR: Large established US-headquartered ADR organisation running mediation and arbitration programmes; comparable as a broader incumbent operating standards and services that may absorb regional standards bodies' functions.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) — ICC International Court of Arbitration and ADR: Global business organisation with established international ADR and mediation rules; comparable as a broad incumbent providing international dispute resolution infrastructure that intersects with SIMI's standards-setting role.

Direct peers

• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR): UK-based ADR standards body and mediation service provider; comparable as an established national/regional ADR accreditation and training organisation with credentialing and mediator certification programmes.
• International Mediation Institute (IMI): Global non-profit mediator accreditation body with a cross-recognition arrangement with SIMI; directly comparable as a professional standards body for mediators operating internationally.
• Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb): Global professional membership body for dispute resolution practitioners including mediators; comparable as a long-standing standards and credentialing body with international reach and a multi-tier membership structure.
• Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC): Singapore-based mediation services body established by the Ministry of Law; comparable as a Singapore-headquartered dispute resolution organisation that the government may position to absorb parts of SIMI's role.

Regional players

• ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC): Canadian national ADR organisation that accredits mediators and arbitrators; comparable as a national professional standards body with multi-tier credentialing analogous to SIMI's four-tier scheme.
• Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC): Singapore-headquartered international arbitration institution under the Ministry of Law ecosystem; comparable as a co-located Singapore dispute resolution institution and potential absorber of mediation standards work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thesimichat

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI)