CMC Leaders Speak at International Mediation Congress
CMC Leaders Speak at International Mediation Congress
CMC Deputy Chair Nicolas Fournier and Deputy CEO Victoria Harris recently traveled to Angers, France, to share insights at the 3rd International Congress for All Mediations. From the importance of trust in mediation and legal frameworks to the role of mediation in education, their contributions highlighted the growing international collaboration.
REPORT BY VICTORIA HARRIS AND NICOLAS FOURNIER
Between 11-14th March CMC Deputy Chair Nicolas Fournier and Deputy CEO Victoria Harris travelled to Angers in France to speak at the 3rd International Congress for All Mediations.
Nicolas spoke at a Round Table about the importance of ‘trust’ in mediation and the conversation that took place resulted a wide-ranging discussion that looked at how the UK, Belgium and France were integrating mediation within their national legal landscape. A large importance was given to the quality and professionalism of training for mediators. It was also noted that establishing the right ‘framework’ for the mediation to happen was an essential part to foster trust. The topic of success fees for mediators and how this may impact impartiality was debated. Overall there was wide consensus on the importance of fee proportionality when mediating disputes.
Victoria attended a panel discussion on mediation within education. The group were able to share their experiences of mediation in schools within the UK, Poland and France. The value of mediation being embedded within the curriculum from an early age was explored as was the mediation training being carried out within higher education for the next generation of law students. The value of standards for the delivery of this work and the importance of government backing and school engagement were key topics.
This pan sector event with over 600 delegates emphasised the value of international connection for the promotion and growth of mediation worldwide. The development of mediation across different nations is all headed in one direction and the connections made will inspire further progress.
Thank you to the 3rd International Congress for All Mediation for the opportunity to contribute to this event.
Nicolas Fournier is Deputy Chair of the CMC and has thirty years of people and business management experience in international and multi-cultural contexts. He has recently concluded the first part of his career as MD/CEO of large corporate companies in order to pursue his passion for mediation. In the UK, Nicolas is a CEDR accredited mediator, a CMC registered mediator and a member of CEDR UK Mediator panel. He is an associate mediator in Thomas More Chambers in London. Nicolas has dual French and British citizenship. In France, Nicolas has the ESCP Europe / CMAP certification as a ‘médiateur’, is a member of CMAP panel and is a member of the ANM.
Victoria Harris is Deputy Chief Executive at the CMC and Trustee of Mediation Hertfordshire. Victoria has an LLM from Kings College London and worked as a solicitor specialising in employment law for 15 years before qualifying as a mediator. Victoria is an advocate for community mediation and the benefit it brings to individuals and public services. A member of the 2022 judging panel for the National Mediation Awards, Victoria is also a member of the Mediation Standards Board. She now supports communications and government liaison at CMC, where she also runs its Academic Forum and working groups for Peer Mediation in schools and Community Mediation.
