Do you like this pair of cufflinks? This blog post is my sharing on how I had managed to purchase this pair of cufflinks in Melbourne.   I had taken a break in late October to travel to Melbourne to see my son who is doing a master’s degree there. On 26 October 2023, we…

Three people negotiating at a table

Soon after I started mediating, a client said “This must be a really satisfying job, when it’s successful.” I remember thinking it’s really satisfying even when it isn’t. This was my first glimpse of a question that has fascinated me ever since: what makes mediators tick? Why would anyone place themselves in midst of other…

It is no secret that the time I spent studying and working with the Harvard Program on Negotiation (PON) was the start of a love affair that has endured.The material from Fisher and Ury’s ‘Getting to Yes’, which evolved into the Seven Elements, is constantly useful as a strategic thinking tool. Addressing my group of…

In the realm of mediation, the path to resolving conflicts is multifaceted, requiring a mediator to navigate not only the external disputes but also their inner world. This intricate dance often calls for self-awareness, an understanding of personal biases, and a steadfast emotional equilibrium. In our exploration of these facets, we find a source of…

In a previous blog in 2018 , I commented on how Australian courts have approached their statutory power to order parties into mediation with or without their consent. In the recent case of Aversa v Transport for New South Wales (No 2)  the judge had to decide whether to order mediation in a case involving…

In their recent book ‘Power and Progress’ Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson analyse technological progress over the course of human history. They conclude that technological advances tend to initially benefit a fairly narrow elite before countervailing societal pressures and political developments result in a fairer distribution of the benefits of this progress. Their survey of…

On 31 August 2023, I spoke at the Maxwell Chambers of Singapore on “Facilitative and Evaluative Models of Mediation: Is the Distinction Still Meaningful or Simply Arcane Semantics? Is it time to bring Evaluative Mediation out of the Shadows” as one of the panel speakers. I am very grateful to the moderator Ms Eunice Chua…

Dispute resolution competitions are a rich learning space for students. My 15+ years coaching teams from my university to compete internationally were a rich experience for me and I enjoy continuing opportunities to be part of the competition community nationally and internationally. It has also been my great good fortune to observe and judge hundreds…

The ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR has published an interesting report on “Facilitating Settlement in International Arbitration” (“Report”), which provides guidance on the effective use of mediation within arbitration proceedings, as well as on other manners of facilitating settlement by arbitrators. The ICC has been promoting mediation – within the framework of its mainstream…

This blog was written by Petra Drgoňová (Lawyer & International Accredited Mediator) and Constantin Adi Gavrilă. Gender equality, the state of men and women having equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities, represents a vital prerequisite for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. The relevance of gender equality has been recognized by major societal actors across numerous…