Any dispute between the Client and the Estate Agent arising out of or in connection with the Standard Estate Agency Agreement (including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination) shall first be resolved in the following manner:

Mediation First

(i) The parties shall proceed to mediation under the mediation scheme prescribed by the CEA unless the Seller elects in writing not to mediate.

(ii) The Estate Agent may ask the Seller in writing whether he elects to mediate or not. If the Seller does not reply or make any election within three weeks of receipt of such enquiry, he shall be deemed to have elected in writing not to proceed to mediation.

Arbitration

(iii) If the dispute remains outstanding (i.e. the Seller has elected not to mediate or the dispute is not resolved by mediation), the dispute shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in Singapore under the arbitration scheme prescribed by the CEA, in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed, unless the Seller elects in writing not to arbitrate.

(iv) The Estate Agent may ask the Seller in writing whether he elects to resolve the dispute by arbitration or not. If the Seller does not reply or expressly make any election within three weeks of receipt of such enquiry, he shall be deemed to have elected in writing not to resolve the dispute by arbitration and neither party shall be bound to proceed to arbitration.