NUS Law alumni duo, gamer and writer, appointed Young IP Mediators by IPOS

Congratulations to Ng Ziqin ’25 and Elizabeth Ong-Chen ’25 on being appointed as Young IP Mediators (YIPMs) by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)! Every year, the top students from the NUS Faculty of Law’s mediation programme have the chance to take on this position, with the offers made by invitation only.

Surprisingly, both initially had a poor impression of mediation—only realising its complexity, and how strategic mediation approaches could lead to effective dispute resolution, after taking the mediation course taught by leading mediation expert Professor Joel Lee in their final year of study.

“The mediation process is far from passive, involving a complex mix of people, psychology, and using the right skill at the right time. It has made me approach conflicts differently,” said Elizabeth, who thought mediation was overhyped before she entered law school. Ziqin echoed similar sentiments, elaborating that she realised the technique of reframing could be a useful tool to move parties towards a consensus, despite previously viewing it as an inorganic way of packaging one’s thoughts.

While the newly minted NUS Law graduates will be given opportunities—wherever possible—to participate as shadow mediators or co-mediators to gain first-hand experience at IPOS, their youth also stands them in good stead: Having a younger co-mediator on board brings with it the benefit of an intergenerational perspective.

Ziqin said, “Coming from a different generation…a younger co-mediator may be able to think of and suggest different solutions to help the parties and the senior mediator.” That mindset resonates with Elizabeth, whose point of view may differ from seasoned mediators’ not only because she is from a different generation, but also that she was homeschooled, a non-traditional educational path.

With a fine understanding of the fundamentals of mediation, the appointees shared their desire to help dispel the notion that mediation is merely a procedural step before litigation, to show disputing parties that they understand what’s at stake and help them reach a settlement that all are satisfied with.

Elizabeth said, “I hope to help parties feel…that their concerns are heard, taken seriously, and resolved through a settlement that both are satisfied with. My research paper focused on elements like psychological stress, power imbalances and what happens when one party feels intimidated or dismissed. These things often shape the tone of the mediation process and if they’re not acknowledged, the process can feel performative rather than empowering.”

Interestingly, Ziqin and Elizabeth related how their creative pursuits, in writing and gaming respectively, contributed to their interest in mediation and motivation to take up the YIPM role. We hear in their own words what swung their disinclination for mediation towards a strong interest in that very process.

What sparked your interest in mediation?

Ziqin: In my first semester in law school, I signed up for a mediation competition. I did not understand the underlying theory behind the steps and techniques, so it felt like the participants were speaking in an alien language instead of communicating openly. I stayed away from mediation after this.

However, my impression gradually changed. Because of my background in the literary arts, I’ve always been interested in Intellectual Property (IP) law, and a mentor told me that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a good avenue to resolve IP disputes. I was thus inspired to give it another go, due in part also to Justice Debbie Ong’s lecture in 2023 about therapeutic justice and how mediation plays a big role in it. I signed up for Prof Lee’s mediation workshop as one of my final-year electives and learnt there can be good and not-so-good executions of mediation techniques.

Elizabeth: During an internship, I observed a stalled mediation because one party refused to engage. I came away thinking mediation was ineffective and that solutions would be reached only if one party was pressured to back down and was deeply puzzled by how mediation was gaining ground as an ADR.

However, I trusted that if Prof Lee was a proponent of mediation, maybe there was more to it. He was one of my favourite professors and often gave me wise insights over coffee chats in the canteen. Around that time, my friend told me that an associate he’d met while interning called the mediation course “life-changing”. That sealed it. I signed up and gained a deep respect for it. I saw how strategic and structured mediation is, and how a mediator can create the conditions in which dialogue can happen constructively and with a genuine possibility of moving forward.

What motivated you to take on the Young IP Mediator role?

Ziqin: I enjoyed the mediation workshop very much and wanted to continue developing my skills as a mediator. However, parties tend to prefer older and more credentialed mediators. The IPOS Young IP Mediator programme is the ideal opportunity for me to grow, as it invites young mediators to join as co-mediators so they can observe a senior mediator at work. Previously in the mediation workshop, I had a great experience co-mediating with a fellow student, Seth Tay ’25, who had a lot of experience in mediation and negotiation competitions. I learnt a lot from working with him and felt that the style of learning on the job, through co-mediation, suited me.

Elizabeth: I’m a gamer and I love playing League of Legends, so I followed the copyright infringement battles between Riot (which created League) and another game developer Moonton (which created Mobile Legends: Bang Bang) closely. It dragged on for years across multiple jurisdictions, with lawsuits won and lost and, as a fan, I never thought it would end.

But when both parties reached a settlement, I was stunned. It made me realise how much more effective it can be when parties resolve things collaboratively—especially in IP disputes where commercial interests and public perception matter. That’s what drew me to the Young IP Mediator role—I see it as the chance to be part of the process that helps make resolution possible.

Why do you think mediation is important, in relation to IP?

Ziqin: During an IPOS guest lecture in the mediation workshop, we learnt that such disputes are especially amenable to mediation, due to the territorial nature of IP rights. To illustrate, a set of parties may have related disputes over the same IP rights in six jurisdictions; if they go to trial, the outcomes could vary based on the law of that jurisdiction. However, through mediation, the parties may be able to reach a resolution on all six disputes at once, making it a more efficient solution.

Elizabeth: In areas like gaming, fashion and entertainment, a single licensing conflict or infringement allegation can affect years of work and alter how consumers view the brand. Litigation can add fuel to the fire. It invites public scrutiny, can alienate fans, and sometimes damages the IP more than the original dispute. That’s why I feel mediation is particularly suited to IP disputes. It allows parties to develop creative, confidential and commercially viable solutions, that also preserve commercial relationships and protect the long-term value of their IP. Especially in popular culture industries, where the court of public opinion matters just as much as the legal one, a well-handled resolution can make all the difference.

How do you think you can contribute in this role?

Ziqin: I am creative, which I hope will help me in generating unconventional solutions. I am also a naturally curious person who loves learning about different industries and fields of knowledge. I hope that this will help me to be more familiar with the subject matters of various IP disputes that I encounter through the Young IP Mediator role (or, if it isn’t something I’ve encountered before, to be able to learn about it quickly) and relate better to the parties by showing them that I understand what’s at stake.

Elizabeth: Seeing the same issue through different angles helps me make sense of complex dynamics. I bring that same mindset into mediation—drawing connections and looking for what might be possible, even when things seem stuck. I can empathise with the people involved, while still staying neutral and looking at the big picture. I believe that ability to switch between emotional understanding and mental clarity helps me to support the parties without losing sight of the process.

Being homeschooled taught me to think independently, which helps me approach problems creatively and see things from unexpected angles too. I’m comfortable stepping outside conventional frameworks to find what works, simply because I didn’t grow up with the “normal way” as the default.