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Book Review, Conflict, Dispute Resolution, Economics, Future of mediation, Game Theory, History of mediation, International Mediation, Leadership, Mediation and Society, Mediation Practice, mediation traditions, peace negotiations, Role of Mediator, Uncategorized, Understanding mediation

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The Magic in Mediation This is a longer blog post than is normal but I will not be alone in describing Ken Cloke as one of the most influential figures in my life, both professionally and personally. Ken’s wisdom and humanity, expressed so well in his many books and seminars, have been hugely important to…

Future of mediation, Mediation Practice, Policy, Public Policy, Scotland

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Back in 2020, just before the world changed, I wrote a blog post on this site suggesting the establishment of the World Mediators’ Alliance on Climate Change. My argument was that mediation offers a much more sustainable way to resolve disputes than many other processes. We could also do a lot to reduce our carbon…

Bias, caucus, Caucus, Cognitive Bias, Commercial Mediation, Communication, Confidentiality, conlfict coaching, Decision making, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Flexibility, Intuition, lawyers in mediation, mediation models, Mediation Outcomes, Mediation Practice, mediation process, Mediation Skills, Mediation Training, Negotiation, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Reflective Practice, Scotland, Stages of mediation, The role of the mediator

(Core Solutions Group)/ /3 Comments

It’s been a long time since I wrote a blog just about mediation practice. Other things always seem more important! However, as I was mediating this week, a thought occurred to me about a rather imperceptible but very real change in my practice as a mediator, which I develop here, albeit in a simplified way….

Conflict, conlfict coaching, crisis negotiatons, Go to the balcony, International Mediation, Mediation Practice, Negotiation, peace negotiations, Reality-Testing, Reflective Practice, Scotland, Ukraine

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I have been musing about what a mediator might say to President Putin given the opportunity. That led me to compose a letter a few weeks ago, with which I have since tinkered. This is merely a thought experiment. The letter goes something like this: “Dear President Putin I write as a mediator, a peacemaker….

Commercial Mediation, Community Mediation, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Family Mediation, Lawyers, lawyers in mediation, Mediation Lawyering, Mediation Practice, mediation traditions, Mindset, Negotiation, Stages of mediation, The role of the mediator, Uncategorized, Understanding mediation

(University of Strathclyde)/ /14 Comments
Lawyer making opening statement in mediation

“The world is made, not found.” (W Barnet Pearce) I had been a mediator for about 10 years before I heard parties’ initial words described as their “opening statement.” This may surprise some readers, though probably not if they began, like me, in family mediation, nor community or workplace. Other descriptions are available, as our…

Mediation Practice, Mindset, Personal Development, Reflective Practice, Scotland, Uncategorized

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At this time of year, it is good to reflect, to look back, and also to look forward. This is not always easy as we sense the clutter and complexity of life crowding in on us. I have had the uneasy experience in the past few weeks of clearing out the Core office, our administrative…

Art, Communication, conlfict coaching, Dialogue, Framing, Language, Leadership, Mediation Practice, mediation process, Mentoring, Personal Development, Scotland, Skills, Stories, The role of the mediator, Uncategorized

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Every now and again something happens to cause me to pause and think – or re-think. Recently, I had that experience at a small ruined castle in the heart of Scotland, near a lovely country town called Edzell. Edzell Castle, visited by, among others, Mary Queen of Scots and her son, King James VI of…

Dispute Resolution, Mediation Practice, mediation process, Non-violent communication, Reflective Practice, Scotland, The role of the mediator, Uncategorized, Zoom

(Core Solutions Group)/ /6 Comments

“It’s hard to beat Dark Side of the Moon” he said. “What a piece of music.” I agreed: “Did you ever see Pink Floyd play Dark Side live? I recall being at Earls Court in 1994.” “I was there too!” he exclaimed. For a moment or two, we reflected on the album’s seemingly relevant song…

Book Review, Commercial Mediation, Conventional wisdom, cross-border mediation, Developing the Field, Dispute Resolution, Enforcement, EU Directive on Mediation, Europe, Fear, Framing, Future of mediation, International Mediation, mediated settlement agreement, Mediation Practice, Mediation Reforms (Legislation, etc.), Neuroscience, Promoting Mediation, Public Policy, Role of Mediator, Settlement Agreements, Singapore Convention on Mediation, Uncategorized, Understanding mediation

(Core Solutions Group)/ /7 Comments

Anna Howard’s first book, ‘EU Cross-Border Commercial Mediation: Listening to Disputants – Changing the Frame; Framing the Changes’ (published by Kluwer), is an important contribution to the literature about the practice and promotion of mediation. It deserves a wide readership among academics and practitioners alike and I hope that potential readers will not be deflected…