Brexit, Enforcement of a Mediation Clause, EU Directive on Mediation, EU Mediation Directive, Europe, European Law, International Law, International Mediation, New York Convention, Uncategorized

(Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy)/ /5 Comments

In the aftermath of the Brexit vote and the appointment of Theresa May as England’s Prime Minister, there are many things to think about and there will be much to negotiate. While some commentators anticipate a U-turn on Brexit, Theresa May has made it clear that “Brexit means Brexit” – whatever that means. In this…

Conflict, Developing the Field, Impasse, lawyers in mediation, mediation models, Mediation Practice, mediation process, Mistakes, Tactics, Tips, Understanding mediation

(University of Strathclyde)/ /5 Comments

Despite some scepticism about the value of “roleplay” most mediation training involves asking people to run a pretend mediation session. I’ve tried various euphemisms to ease trainees’ anxiety – “skills practice”, “simulation”, “sitting with conflict” – but none seems to make it any less daunting. You can read about this activity, watch others do it,…

Developing the Field, EU Directive on Mediation, Europe, European Law, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Legislation, Uncategorized

(CMS)/ /Leave a comment

The Directive 2013/11/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (Directive on consumer ADR) obliged Member States to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with said Directive by 9 July 2015. Today we should hence be celebrating…

Brexit, Conflict, Dialogue, Ethics, EU Directive on Mediation, Europe, Fear, Uncategorized

(Creative Resolution)/ /Leave a comment
Young Mediators Initiative (YMI)

Writing a post in the aftermath of what happened on Friday, the 24th of June 2016, is an opportunity to reflect on what it takes to conduct an effective mediation process, and above all a constructive dialogue. Clearly this post is an insight on my own personal reflections to date. With the weeks ahead, I…

Business, Corporate Counsel's View, Developing the Field, Future of mediation, lawyers in mediation, Legal Practice, mediation as a career, Surveys

(Brick Court Chambers / Clifton Chambers)/ /3 Comments

Recently, Dr. Grant Morris of Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand completed valuable research on the nature of private commercial mediation in New Zealand. The aim of the June 2016 research was to examine the commercial mediation market from a gatekeepers’ perspective – that inevitably meant lawyers were the main source of data. Commercial lawyers at…

Brexit, Causes of Conflict, Communication, Conflict, Conventional wisdom, Creativity, Decision making, Dialogue, Dispute Resolution, Europe, Fear, General, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Interests, mediation process, Negotiation, Trust, Understanding mediation

(Bill Marsh Mediator)/ /15 Comments

  Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised by the whole Brexit affair. I’m not talking about the result of the vote itself, but about the referendum process, the behaviour it engendered, and its aftermath. All the classic features were present. Classic features of what? Well, of binary processes. Those that offer a win/lose, yes/no, remain/leave…

ADR, Brexit, Business, crisis negotiatons, Dispute Resolution, Europe, European Law, Future of mediation, International Mediation, Scotland

(FORARB/Charles University)/ /Leave a comment

When I was shopping at the Marina Bay Sands Mall in Singapore some couple months ago, a young Singaporean approached me and politely asked me to participate in a survey. “Where are you from?” the girl stated her first question. “From Prague, Czech Republic…” She smiled and her view gave away her confusion. Obviously, she…

ADR, cross-border mediation, Dispute Resolution, Enforcement, Enforcement of a Mediation Clause, EU Directive on Mediation, Future of mediation, International Mediation, Legal Issues, Legal Practice, Legislation, mediated settlement agreement, Mediation Act, Mediation Agreement, Mediation Contract Clause, Mediation Reforms (Legislation, etc.), Mediation Schemes (In Courts, etc.), Mediation Users/Clients, National Mediation Laws, New York Convention, Online Mediation, Public Policy, Reform, Regulation, Set Aside a Mediated Agreement, Settlement Agreements, Success in mediation, Training, UN and International Organizations, UNCITRAL, UNCITRAL Model Law, Understanding mediation, user perspectives

(International Mediation Institute)/ /Leave a comment

The next session of the UNCITRAL Working Group II that will continue to consider whether there should be a convention to enforce commercial cross-border mediation settlements will be in Vienna, Austria the week of September 19, 2016. On September 21, there will be a free evening program when 2 panels will answer questions relating to…

Apology, Bias, Clients, Cognitive Bias, Commercial Mediation, Confidentiality, Decision making, Dialogue, Dispute Resolution, Impasse, Interests, Joint Sessions, mediated settlement agreement, Mediation Agreement, Mediation Practice, mediation process, Mistakes, Neuroscience, Perception, Scotland, Stages of mediation, Stories, Uncategorized

(Core Solutions Group) and (Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London)/ /Leave a comment

“Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” “Traveller, there is no path, the path must be forged as you walk.” Antonio Machado, as quoted and translated in Daring Greatly, Brene Brown Those were two very long and eventful days. Though the prospect of reaching an agreement appeared remote – at best – at…

Cognitive Bias, Developing the Field, General, Humorous Pieces, Mentoring, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Young Mediators

(National University of Singapore, Faculty of Law)/ /Leave a comment

There is an Internet meme that goes “Somewhere, there is a 21 year old in a 50 year old’s body going ‘What the hell happened?’”. I try not to think about age generally; and more specifically, my age. In part because I can’t count that high. And if I wanted to count that high, I…