SIDRA Survey 2026 Launch: Ethics, Integrity and Trust in International Dispute Resolution (A SIDRA Event at Singapore Convention on Mediation Week)

The Singapore Convention Week 2026 (SC Week 2026) returns with a refreshed programme this year from 24 to 28 August 2026. This year’s SC Week 2026 is especially meaningful, as it marks 200 years since the establishment of the Second Charter of Justice in 1826, which built Singapore’s modern judicial and legal system. SGLaw200 reiterates Singapore’s commitment to the Rule of Law, and commemorates the past, present and future of the legal system. 

As a partner event of SC Week 2026, the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA) at Singapore Management University (SMU) presented the SIDRA Survey 2026 Launch: Ethics, Integrity and Trust in International Dispute Resolution on 26 August 2026. 

The launch showcases the fourth edition of the empirical study and examines global users’ experiences of dispute resolution mechanisms. 

Yuying Zhang (Senior Research Associate, SIDRA) and Sarah Lim (Research Associate, SIDRA) presented key findings from the Survey, followed by a dynamic discussion with Katie Chung (Partner, Baker Botts) and Jeremy Lack (Founder and Managing Director, LAWTECH.CH and InnovADR), moderated by Professor Nadja Alexander (Director, SIDRA, SMU Yong Pung How School of Law), which explored ethics in the selection and conduct of arbitrators and mediators, as well as related issues arising from the Survey findings.

Adding a creative dimension, Tim Hammons from Art of Awakening provided a live visual interpretation of the discussions. Swipe through the post to see the full drawing come together.
 

Key highlights:

• The launch featured Senior Minister of State, Murali Pillai SC, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, Singapore, as its Guest-of-Honour. In his remarks, he aptly observed: 
  • ‘We don’t know how disputes may arise. We don’t know how they will end, but we can know one thing: we can know how they will be resolved through reason, good faith, and commitment to process.” 
• Some of the findings from the survey relate to the following: 
  • For the first time, respondents were asked about their use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). They had used GenAI in situations such as drafting, legal research and contract analysis. While there is openness to greater use, there were still concerns surrounding data privacy, security and trust. 
  • Another question posed for the first time to respondents relate to voluntary compliance with mediated settlement agreements.  A large majority of respondents reported voluntary compliance with mediated settlement agreements more than 50% of the time.

These findings offer insights into how dispute resolution is experienced in practice, and how user expectations and priorities continue to evolve. 

The full SIDRA Survey 2026 Final Report is now available here: https://sidra.smu.edu.sg/sidra-survey-2026.