Community Mediation, Developing the Field, Environmental Mediation, General, Mediation Practice, Mediation Users/Clients, Public Policy

(Core Solutions Group)/ /Leave a comment

Last weekend I was entertained by the “progressive rock” group Caravan, a lesser known group of musicians, the peak of whose glory was 40 years ago, in 1971. These grey-haired men in their mid-60’s displayed enthusiasm, energy and engagement as they took us down memory lane, with deft playing and masterly reconstruction of some of…

Clients, General, Mediation Agreement, Mediation Practice, Uncategorized

(ADR Center Romania)/ /Leave a comment

At their third mediation meeting, the parties reached an agreement in a dispute between family members over family property. The parties also seemed to settle older personal issues that apparently had nothing to do with the case. With the feeling that both the relationship and the outcome issues were resolved, six parties and their lawyers…

Lawyers, Mediation Outcomes, Mediation Practice

(First Mediation Corporation)/ /Leave a comment

The Situation: Your client has brought a spouse or a significant other to the mediation who is having a problematic influence on your client’s decision-making abilities. This is preventing you from getting your client prepared for a fair settlement. The Solution: Enroll the spouse in the settlement process early, as opposed to ignoring them. This…

Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Experts, General, Mediation Outcomes, Mediation Practice, Mediators’ Conduct, Memory and Illusions

(National University of Singapore, Faculty of Law)/ /1 Comment

This post is dedicated to the memory of Steve Jobs (1955-2011) [Author’s note: I had in mind another subject for this blog post. I was however moved to write this one. It seems fitting that I am writing it on my Mac Book Air.] 5 October 2011 was a sad day. It saw the passing…

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, Australia, Cross-cultural, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, General, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Hong Kong, Med-Arb Clauses, Mediation Practice, Mediators’ Conduct, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Practical Challenges for Mediators, Uncategorized

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

They say that you can take the girl out of Australia but that you can’t take Australia out of the girl. So as an Australian living in Hong Kong, let me leave the east-meets-west stories for another time and begin with the very Australian concept of BYO. It’s a long established tradition in Australia to…

Costs in Mediation, Governments/Public Sector, International Mediation, Mediation Schemes (In Courts, etc.), Reform, Surveys, Third Party Funding, Uncategorized

(CMS)/ /Leave a comment

According to reports, we should now get used to living in an era of austerity. Tax increases, welfare cuts, and salary freezes are on their way in many countries. Does this mean that public spending on mediation must be cut as well? Quite the contrary. Mediation may bring significant savings in difficult times soon to…

Developing the Field, Efficiency, Lawyers, Legal Practice, Mediation Outcomes, Mediators’ Conduct, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Public Policy, Training

(Pel Mediation)/ /1 Comment

Yesterday night, sitting in the theatre and looking at a very sophisticated balance-act of two chinese dancers, I thought of a mediation session this week. I saw myself balancing while walking a tightrope between the parties in the room looking for possibilities if and how this tightrope walking could change into a red carpet welcome…

ADR, Arbitration, Commercial Mediation, Dispute Resolution, International Mediation, Mediation Institutions and Rules

(Esprit d’entente)/ /Leave a comment

On September 12, 2011, the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) launched in Paris the new Rules of Arbitration that will enter into force on January 1, 2012 (the “New Rules”). These Arbitration Rules, whose last revision took place in 1998, were adopted by the ICC World Council in June 2011. On July 1, 2001 the…

Developing the Field, Family Mediation, General, Ireland, Lawyers, Lawyers and Psychologists, Legal Issues, Mediation Outcomes, Mediation Practice, Mediation Users/Clients, Practical Challenges for Mediators

(Sabine Walsh Mediation)/ /Leave a comment

I recently met an acquaintance of mine whom I have not seen for some time. He asked what I am doing, job wise. I replied that I am now doing mediation full time. “Oh,” he replied “do you do legal mediation or family mediation?” I smiled wearily and launched into my usual explanation of what…