Book excerpt: This book will be the 8th volume of Contemporary Issues in Mediation (CIIM), a thought-leadership publication which compiles the top submissions from an annual mediation essay competition organised by the Singapore International Mediation Institute. This book is edited by Singapore's leading experts on mediation and negotiation, Professor Joel Lee and Marcus Lim. CIIM is a unique and valuable addition to the growing body of mediation and dispute resolution literature.CIIM is the only publication on the market which seeks to explore current theories and applications of mediation concepts and practices in detail. Presently, most publications adopt a descriptive approach when outlining the uses of mediation. CIIM introduces an evaluative component into literature on this niche subject matter and pushes the boundaries of mediation thoughts and theory. Further, readers stand to benefit from a diverse range of topics selected for their high quality of research and novelty. All this will support the development of mediation as a profession undergirded by certain professional standards and practices.With the coming into force of the Singapore Convention on Mediation in 2020, mediation is taking a permanent place in the dispute resolution landscape. The success of the past 7 volumes of CIIM is a testament to the growing interest in the wide variety of issues that arise in this specialised field.