Kota Kinabalu: The Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (Bicam) is offering free mediation services for court-referred disputes valued at RM500,000 and below, in a move aimed at widening access to justice for Sabahans, particularly individuals and small and medium enterprises.
Under the initiative, Bicam absorbs all mediation costs for eligible cases referred by Sabah courts, removing financial barriers that have traditionally limited access to professional dispute resolution.
Bicam Chairman Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah said the programme reflects the centre’s deliberate commitment to making dispute resolution accessible to all.
“All costs of mediation are borne by Bicam, reflecting a deliberate institutional commitment to making dispute resolution accessible, particularly for individuals and small and medium enterprises,” he said in a statement.
David added that the initiative forms part of Bicam’s broader role in giving back to Sabah by supporting a more inclusive and effective justice system.
“This initiative reflects the continued development of a Sabah-centric dispute resolution ecosystem, one that is responsive to local needs, institutionally driven and capable of delivering results on the ground,” he said.
Once a case is referred by the courts, Bicam engages the parties or their solicitors, facilitates the signing of an Agreement to Mediate, and appoints mediators from its panel of accredited professionals.
All court-referred cases are handled by pro bono-qualified mediators, with formal conflict checks and appointment procedures carried out before sessions begin.
Bicam provides weekly status updates to the courts to maintain transparency and ensure proceedings align with judicial timelines.
Mediation sessions are held either at Bicam’s facilities in Kota Kinabalu or through secure online platforms. Where parties reach a settlement, the outcome is formalised through a settlement agreement and may be recorded as a consent judgment.
If mediation does not result in a settlement, the matter is returned to court without prejudice to either party’s rights.
He said the framework is designed to help reduce case backlogs in the court system while enabling faster, practical resolution of disputes.
He added that Bicam is committed to positioning Sabah as a credible regional centre for arbitration and mediation, grounded in institutional integrity and structured service delivery.
