Mediation Practice

Causes of Conflict, Conflict, Developing the Field, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Instinct, Mediation Practice, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Tips, Training

(University of Strathclyde)/ /Leave a comment

“You cannot direct a living system; you can only disturb it”1 When mediators join a conflict, they enter a living system. Realise it or not, that system is instantly changed by their arrival. Change may be for the better, and we hope our influence is benign, but nothing is the same again. It therefore makes…

Developing the Field, Evaluative Mediation, Future of mediation, Global Pound Conference Series 2016-17, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), International Mediation, mediation models, Mediation Practice, mediation process, Singapore

(Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy)/ /Leave a comment

Last week I spent some time with a European mediation organisation looking to review its mediator accreditation and practice standards. Somehow I expected a discussion about various accreditation initiatives around the world with perhaps some exploration of “mediation models” and how they fit into national regulatory frameworks. I was pleasantly surprised. What ensued was a…

Apology, Causes of Conflict, Communication, Creativity, Dispute Resolution, Guitar, Humorous Pieces, Mediation Practice, Negotiation, Scotland, Tips, Uncategorized

(Core Solutions Group)/ /2 Comments

‘Tis the season to be merry. And indulgent. ‘Tis also the season when favourite songs are compiled by well-meaning souls into apparently themed collections. In the UK, we have a long-running radio show called “Desert Island Discs” in which celebrities and others select their favourite pieces of music as they reminisce about their lives. The…

Conflict, Developing the Field, Family Mediation, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), mediation models, Mediation Practice, mediation process, mediation traditions, Scotland, Uncategorized

(University of Strathclyde)/ /2 Comments

“Patients don’t expect doctors to be perfect. They do expect them to strive for perfection by opening up their work to scrutiny” Atul Gawande, Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 6/12/15. A bit of a treat for me last week, when four of my favourite academics came to Edinburgh. They were keynotes at Mediate Scotland…

Causes of Conflict, Developing the Field, Environmental Mediation, France, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Language, Mediation Practice

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This comment has its origins in two events, separated by distance and utterly different in origin and impact, yet still linked by a common theme. This is also a partial continuation of the conversation started by Martin Svatos in the preceding entry: http://kluwermediationblog.com/2015/11/22/je-suis-paris-do-the-mediators-have-right-to-be-xenophobic/ One event, front and centre in our media and in the lives…

Developing the Field, Future of mediation, Mediation Outcomes, Mediation Practice, mediation process, Negotiation, Policy, Public Policy, Scotland, Uncategorized

(Core Solutions Group)/ /Leave a comment

In recent weeks, I have had the privilege of mediating and facilitating in different matters with representatives of four governments . On one occasion they were on the same “side”; on another, notionally on different sides. A common theme to emerge was the needs and behaviours of political masters who were not present. The representatives…

Causes of Conflict, Clients, Conflict, Family Mediation, Interests, mediation models, Mediation Practice, Mediation Users/Clients, Understanding mediation

(Sabine Walsh Mediation)/ /Leave a comment

Catching up on a few episodes of Game of Thrones recently, I was enjoying the string-pulling, manipulation and orchestration being engaged in by almost everyone in the fictional world of Westeros. None of the rulers really make their own decisions, all are influenced and steered by others who all have their own agendas. Some do…

Clients, Communication, Conventional wisdom, Dispute Resolution, Mediation Practice, mediation process, mediation traditions, Stages of mediation

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The recent blog entry by Matthew Rushton (23 August) is a reminder of what changes can and do happen across the diverse landscape of mediation, and of the ways in which the “classical” model of mediation is probably as much a fond memory as it is a consistent practice. In both practice and training, we’ve…

Family Mediation, General, Humorous Pieces, Ireland, mediation as a career, Mediation Practice, Sport, Stories

(Sabine Walsh Mediation)/ /1 Comment

I like mediating. I also like running marathons. What this says about my sanity is a question for another day, but the more I do both the more similarities I identify between the two disciplines. A recent week of particularly arduous mediation brought these similarities to mind more than usual. Preparation, of course, is the…