ADR, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Practical Challenges for Mediators, Reform, Responsibility of States

(Mediare)/ /1 Comment

The importance of the multidisciplinary approach and the leading role of the parts. Modernity brought about the fragmentation of knowledge and the emergence of different disciplines as well as diversified specializations in several subject areas. This fragmentation enabled people to deepen their knowledge concerning specific issues and made them feel that they could master their…

'Money-only' Cases, Commercial Mediation, Mediation Practice, Practical Challenges for Mediators, War Stories

(Weiler ADR Inc.)/ /1 Comment

This morning I was greeted with the news that Julian Barnes’ The Sense of An Ending had been named this year’s winner of the Man Booker Prize. A wonderful read, in part about how our memory deceives us, it struck me as an appropriate point of departure for this blog post. Like Barnses’ narrator, “I…

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…