Peter Adler workshop 1st May 2013
The Inner and Outer Geographies of a Mediator1st May 2013 workshop by Peter Adler at the CIArb Bloomsbury Square, London
For experienced Mediators Only
This is a one day workshop which is about self-awareness, sharing practice and ensuring we are at our BEST every time we mediate.
“We all have our particular niches and styles but all of us want to learn, grow, do good work and thrive. That means we must connect our own skills and authenticity to the challenges that present themselves. This one day workshop will explore the linkages between diagnosis, analysis, intuition and action. We will unbundle some of the pieces of our work, explore the different styles and think through the rules of thumb and heuristic short cuts that connect our inner and outer journeys. Come prepared to celebrate differences, think hard, and map your future growth as a problem solver, dispute resolver and enhancer of communication and negotiation.
Cost: £350 + VAT which includes lunch and refreshments. Payable in advance of the day.
To book a place please email david@richbell.org
Read MoreBehind every dispute Lies a broken relationship
I (David) am a red-blooded Commercial Mediator. I get settlements. Indeed I tell the parties “My role is to give you the best chance of getting a deal”. But I try to be nice when I am doing it!
Jane, on the other hand, is nice without trying and tends to give more time to the parties relationships and not necessarily to problem-solving. She still gets results but usually through what she terms as ‘slow mediation’ (in the mode of slow, rather than fast, food).
What we both accept is that we can learn from each other’s style and techniques and we do so by co-mediating together occasionally.
Mediation is a very solitary business and, once we have established ourselves as lead Mediators, it is very rare that we have the privilege of seeing our peers in action. That is one reason why MATA introduced the peer review scheme last year, where one lead Mediator sits in with another lead Mediator and gives honest feedback afterwards. Despite being acknowledged by many Mediators as being very important, so far only a few leads have joined the scheme and I do wonder if that is out of fear about a colleague observing, and commenting on, their performance!
The point of this is that we Mediators are in danger of being isolated,
Read MoreMediator Dinner and Gathering
Mediator Gathering
Friday 5th July Mediator gathering (7 CPD). This day event will include a round-up on mediation around the world. Mediation developments from several jurisdictions. Mediation surgery. PIM Senior Mediators discuss problems and challenges raised by the audience. Chaired by David Miles. Open Forum (participants raise their own issues for discussion). Speed dating: Senior mediators including, amongst others, Michel Kallipetis, John Sturrock, Nicholas Pryor available for ten-minute personal interview.
This is an opportunity for the Mediator community to share, learn and totally immerse in like-minded company from the UK and overseas.
Cost for Mediator Gathering:
£55 + VAT (£66) for Dinner only.
£225 + VAT (£270) for The Mediator Gathering only.
£375 + VAT (£450) for dinner, accommodation (Thurs) and the Mediator gathering.
Venue: Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park (where part of the King’s Speech was filmed).
Concessions: AMR Club members (those who have attended the Advanced Course) are entitled to a 20% DISCOUNT on the advertised price.
VAT: Overseas and self-funding participants will receive a discount equal to the relevant VAT of 20%
Please see the attached event details and booking form: Mediator Gathering
Read MoreWho is at the Centre of Mediation?
As commercial mediation has ‘matured’ it is worth considering again who is, and who should be, at the centre. Is it:• The Party
• The Lawyer (solicitor, barrister, judge)
• The Mediator
• The providers
• The CMC
The Party
It is said that mediation is a party-focused process. It is the party who is at the centre. It is their problem, their solution, their process. This is the opportunity for the party to really have a day in court – a far better day than being in a real court. Here a party can say what they want, with all the feeling and conviction that they have, the only restriction being time (ie no more than twenty minutes) and courtesy (ie non-abusive) – and that it is free of bloodshed. Unfortunately the theory rarely works in practise. Too often the party is put in the background, sometimes by choice, and others speak (and negotiate) on their behalf. Which is a tragedy, for mediation provides the opportunity for each of the parties to tell their story – their story (not someone else’s version) – to the other side(s) and to then hear the other side(s) version of the same story. Done well it can help parties change position and provide reasons for them to become flexible in their approach to a solution.
So why does it happen so rarely? Firstly, it may be too early in the process. A party is inevitably cautious of the process (it is, after all, usually the first and only time that they experience mediation). They don’t want to say something that will be used against they in the future, or which may upset their lawyer. Too often a party, when invited to speak after their lawyer has made an opening statement, will say “no, my lawyer has said it all”. They haven’t! The lawyer has given the legal argument – there is a much more powerful one to be said by the party – it is their money (payer or receiver), their emotions, their life. Which is why many good Mediators have a fairly lengthy opening session, to give time for a party to settle down, feel confident about the process and then be stirred into speaking.
Similarly, the party should be the one to negotiate the deal. It is their problem, and their solution. Everyone else should be in support but the deal should be theirs. At the very least, the parties should be the ones to seal the deal, to agree the final details and shake hands. They need to own the outcome – that is why mediated deals stick.
The Lawyer
Given the above, that mediation is a party-focused process, the lawyer is cast in a supportive role. The theory goes that the lawyer takes more and more of a back seat as the party leads the pathway to solution. For the solicitor, this means preparing the party, encouraging them to take a full part in the process, advising on legal merits, undertaking and reviewing risk analysis and supporting her/his party in their quest for a solution. This may be a challenge for someone who is normally a problem-solver and a fighter for the best deal.
For a Barrister this is even more of a challenge. Instinctively a leader, spokesperson and assumed negotiator, most find it difficult to allow others (preferably the party) to lead and for them to be advisor, supporter and encourager. Indeed, it may be difficult to justify a barrister’s fee in such circumstances! The worst thing that a barrister can do is muffle the party, grandstand the opening session and highjack the deal. Better not to attend at all.
Construction & Property Mediation Group
The next meeting of the Construction & Property group will be a breakfast meeting and will take place at:
The Punch Tavern, 99 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1DE (Tel: 020 7353 6658)
at 8.30am (for 9.00am) on Thursday 21st March 2013
Topic: Should mediation clauses be written into contracts?
A breakfast of tea, coffee and pastries will be provided at a charge of 5.00. (Something more substantial can be ordered individually).
If you are interested in attending please contact Dave Owen, Pengaron Mediation Services Ltd, 23 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6HE, Email: dwo@pengaron.co.uk Tel: 020 3178 4786
CPD: attendance counts for 1 hour of CMC’s CPD requirement.
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