ADR, Causes of Conflict, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Ethics, Evaluative Mediation, General, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Language, Mediation Practice, Training, Uncategorized

(University of Strathclyde)/ /2 Comments

Like many of us I am constantly torn between simplicity and complexity. The world is complex: that’s a given. But a beautiful morning or a lover’s kiss is simplicity itself, and it’s a fool who overcomplicates it. And so with mediation, the profession/activity/vocation that has grown on me like a skin these last nineteen years….

Apologies, Clients, Developing the Field, General, Language, Mediation Practice, Mediators’ Conduct, War Stories

(University of Strathclyde)/ /3 Comments

This blog is inspired by a page from Monty Python’s ‘Big Red Book’ entitled ‘Why Accountancy is Not Boring.’ (Apologies to those who have not come across the Pythons’ rather English form of humour – for the original piece see http://arago4.tnw.utwente.nl/stonedead/publications/sketches/accountancy.html) Apologies too to accountants everywhere who, in the 1970’s, were probably as easy a…

ADR, Clients, Commercial Mediation, Costs in Mediation, Court Procedure and Litigation, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Domestic Courts, Efficiency, Enforcement, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Mediation Institutions and Rules, Mediation Practice, Mediation Schemes (In Courts, etc.), Mediation Users/Clients, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Standards

(University of Strathclyde)/ /1 Comment

One of the privileges and perils of working as a mediator in Scotland is that we get a close-up view of developments in England and Wales. In an ideal world this should allow us (pop. 5 million) to learn from them (pop. 55 million): to pick the best innovations and avoid the failures. As I…

ADR, Commercial Mediation, Court Procedure and Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Domestic Courts, Europe, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Lawyers, Mediation Reforms (Legislation, etc.), Public Policy, Reform

(University of Strathclyde)/ /5 Comments

Scotland sits on the north-west fringe of Europe, and is probably best known for whisky, rain and heroic failure on football and rugby pitches. While part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, many people don’t realise it has its own legal system. And why should they? Even English publications often talk…

ADR, Bias, Developing the Field, Ethics, General, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Lawyers, Lawyers and Psychologists, Mediation Practice

(University of Strathclyde)/ /7 Comments

Most mediators are pragmatists. This may not be our reputation, but in reality we wrestle daily with practical matters such as who will do what, when they will do it and how much it will cost. I once taught mediation to a group of therapists. Their ‘soft’ skills (this doesn’t mean easy) were fantastic, actively…