Cap. 492 Art. 27Support relating to disputes. Cap. 387.

(1) The Commissioner may, on becoming aware of a dispute involving a voluntary organisation or persons connected therewith, even if out of his own initiative, provide assistance in the resolution of such disputes through:

(a) the facility of advisory opinions by experts chosen from a panel of persons (hereinafter referred to as "the Advisory Panel");

(b) assistance to the parties to the dispute by referring such dispute to mediation and, where necessary, impose mandatory reference to mediation as provided herein;

(c) assistance to the parties to the dispute to make reference to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of the Arbitration Act.

(2) The Commissioner shall encourage and assist parties to a dispute involving a voluntary organisation to resolve the issue by mutual agreement by referring it to the Advisory Panel, to mediation or failing that, to arbitration.

(3) The Commissioner may organise information, educational and training events in relation to alternative dispute resolution systems for the benefit of voluntary organisations.

(4) For the purposes of this Part, a dispute involves a voluntary organisation if it relates to:

(a) a dispute between members of a voluntary organisation or between members and one or more administrators relating to the affairs of the voluntary organisation, including the payment of membership fees, the expulsion of members and similar issues; or

(b) a dispute between the founders and the administrators of a foundation or the settlors or beneficiaries of a charitable trust and the trustees relating to the affairs of the voluntary organisation or charitable trust as the case may be; or

(c) a dispute between administrators of a voluntary organisation; or

(d) a dispute between voluntary organisations relating to activities, events and related matters; or

(e) a dispute between a voluntary organisation and a donor, sponsor, beneficiary or other person who has relations with the voluntary organisation, other than purely commercial relations for the supply of goods or services; or

(f) a dispute between a volunteer and a voluntary organisation; or

(g) without prejudice to any law relating to employment, a

(h) a dispute between the Government and a voluntary organisation in relation to any management or other contract entered into for the rendering of services.