ADR, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Enforcement, Future of mediation, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), harmonisation of mediation law, International Mediation, UN and International Organizations

(Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy)/ /1 Comment

In his recent posting for the Kluwer Arbitration Blog, Michael McIlwrath picks up on what I affectionately refer to as the NYC4M (New York Convention for Mediation) theme, that is the debate about whether an international convention for the enforcement and recognition of cross-border mediated settlement agreements would assist the development of, and promote the…

ADR, Clients, Communication, Developing the Field, Future of mediation, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Online Mediation, Uncategorized

(University of Strathclyde)/ /2 Comments

Many of us have been hearing about Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) for years but haven’t quite got round to using it. It sounds like a nice idea when face-to-face mediation isn’t an option through distance and/or cost. And yet I suspect that for most mediators the ‘gold standard’ is being in the same room as…

Practical Challenges for Mediators

(Corporate counsel & author)/ /Leave a comment

Being responsible for resolving a large number of disputes for any organization is a stressful occupation. It involves risk, cost and resources and navigating between leadership and management, success and failure as well as blame and experimentation. Although there is no magic bullet, the task can be aided considerably by harvesting the answers to the…

Arbitration, Bias, Community Mediation, Dispute Resolution, Due Process, Evaluative Mediation, Governments/Public Sector, Ireland

(Sabine Walsh Mediation)/ /1 Comment

At the risk of being accused of being too much of a purist, I just have to have a little grumble about the latest misappropriation of the term mediation. All involved in promoting and encouraging the use of mediation know how one of the largest barriers to people availing of this process is the lack…

Appointment of Mediators, Below the line, Clients, Conflict, crisis negotiatons, Fear, General, Governments/Public Sector, insider and outsider mediators, Interests, International Mediation, mediation models, Mediation Users/Clients, Mediators’ Conduct, Neutrality, peace negotiations, Trust

(Bill Marsh Mediator)/ /4 Comments

Last month, Al Jazeera carried a piece called “‘Mama Boko Haram’ grasps for peace in Nigeria”. It detailed the activities of Aisha Wakil (pictured above), a Nigerian lawyer who has become a de facto mediator between Boco Haram and the Nigerian government – often at considerable risk to herself. “Mama Boko Haram”, as she has…

Commercial Mediation, Communication, conlfict coaching, Skills, Uncategorized

(Brick Court Chambers / Clifton Chambers)/ /1 Comment

Tension Raising Behaviours; 100% statements Labelling Put downs and excitable statements Threats Interpreting/analysing/patronising/matronising Collecting allies Non-verbal behaviours Preparing an attack Sarcasm Defensiveness/self justifying Over detailing Tension Reducing Behaviours; Acknowledging probable legitimate concerns Put in perspective Be specific Own the interpretation Own the personal response Invite feedback Invite response

Book Review, Causes of Conflict, Clients, Commercial Mediation, Communication, Community Mediation, Conflict, Creativity, Decision making, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Efficiency, Ethics, General, Language, Lawyers, Mediation Practice, Mediators’ Conduct, Negotiation, Policy, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Scotland, Skills, Success in mediation, Tips, Uncategorized

(Core Solutions Group)/ /Leave a comment

I am interested in convergence – of ideas, of behaviour, of trends, of different disciplines. The more I read, the more common themes I discern in the arts, science, spirituality, leadership and in what we do as mediators. A reflection of this is found in the African concept of ubuntu, “the profound sense that we…

Appointment of Mediators, Business, Clients, Football, General, Understanding mediation

(Mediar360 - Dispute Resolution )/ /Leave a comment

As it happens every four years, it is the FIFA World Cup again. I must confess that I am not a football enthusiast myself, but with the greatest football stars at my doorstep, and all the media hype, it is almost impossible for any Brazilian not to get involved at some level. But it is…