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CIArb gathers a world of mediators for its first Mediation Symposium

Wednesday 24 September 2008, 12 Bloomsbury Square

The launch of the CIArb Mediation Symposium was met with a spectacular turnout as over 100 mediators and mediation practitioners attended this inaugural event. From Lagos to Moscow, Geneva to Hong Kong, incorporating community and court-connected to WIPO mediators; the audience was as diverse as were the speakers.

Lord Goldsmith, giving the Keynote Address, spoke of the “huge upsurge in interest and in presence of mediation” and went on to highlight the Government’s longstanding commitment to it. He set the tone for the day by cheering on mediators as an emerging profession and reminding them that they are doing this for the ‘users’. He impressed those attending by giving a detailed analysis of the implications of the imminent adoption of the EU Mediation Directive approved by the European Parliament in April this year.

A further 17 speakers contributed pro bono to the event, highlighting the commitment to mediation throughout the community. They made the Symposium a success and allowed CIArb to hold a very professional event at extremely good value, to generate interest in CIArb and generally to further CIArb’s aims in promoting wider use of mediation.

CIArb’s Director General, Michael Forbes Smith with Keynote Speaker, Lord Goldsmith and CIArb event producer, Zoï Fletcher

David Cornes and Michel Kallipetis, QC gave polished presentations in which they reviewed the implications of recent case law on costs, encouragement and confidentiality. They spoke learnedly on the EU Directive on training, compulsory mediation, enforceability and limitation periods.

It is a testament to the newfound open-mindedness of this institution that we offered Irena Vanenkova a platform upon which to present the International Mediation Institute’s Mediator Competency Scheme. Tony Willis asked probing and thoughtful questions, as to whether mediation has achieved the status of a profession yet, why regulation matters, and which organisations have a stake.

A team of speakers told of varying frameworks for mediation around the world. Giovanni De Berti and Mercedes Tarrazón gave highlights from civil law jurisdictions in Europe, from Belgium to Slovenia, and also in Latin America. Delegates learned of the frameworks for mediation in China, Australia and Hong Kong from Louise Barrington, Alan Limbury and Colin J Wall.

Perhaps the defining session of the Symposium was that moderated by Alan Limbury. This was a unique opportunity for mediators to share the most troubling and difficult situations they have faced as mediators. We heard of fraudulent mediation agreements, bets on offers from the ‘other side’, accusations of private session rooms being bugged, brandished baseball bats, and threats of disbarment. Mediators also discussed such difficulties as terminating a mediation, getting authority to settle, and managing arguments as to the true process of mediation.

Delegates had a choice of three sets of workshops. Some were trained in mediating across cultures with Joanna Kalowski, and in court-connected mediation with David Richbell and James Rustidge. Jane Gunn and Aled Davies coached others on recognising and working with difficult emotions in mediation. Michael Cover, Pete Michaelson and Alan Limbury ran an audience driven, freeze-frame mock IP mediation session.

The day ended with a dinner in bustling Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia, where those attending whiled away the evening exchanging further thoughts and ideas. It was clear to all involved that a second CIArb Mediation Symposium next year is a must for the diary.

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARBITRATORS

The Institute...

CIArb gathers a world of mediators for its first Mediation Symposium

Wednesday 24 September 2008, 12 Bloomsbury Square

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