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Who are the CMC

Deputy Chair of the Civil Mediation Council

DECRIPTION OF ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

What is the CMC?

The CMC is a neutral and independent charity established for the benefit of the public. First it promotes the resolution of conflicts and disputes by encouraging the use of mediation and other dispute resolution techniques and methods as alternatives to legal action or arbitration. The Charity believes that mediation delivers better quality outcomes than these. Mediation avoids the risk of unwelcome publicity because it is confidential and aims to provide win/win solutions to problems. It is likely to save time and stress and avoid the destruction of salvageable relationships. Secondly it works to advance the education of the public in matters of mediation and other dispute resolution techniques and methods.

The CMC is mainly funded through the fees of member mediators and associates, whose conduct and training it regulates, and whom it supports with continuing professional training opportunities and a directory of mediators available to the general public. It does not deal with Family Mediation but works closely with the College of Mediators and the Family Mediation Council who do. Its charity registration number is 1163065. It is a company limited by guarantee without share capital.

How is the CMC managed?

The CMC has a full time Chief Executive, company secretarial support and communication services. There are currently 13 trustee directors. 6 of its trustees are elected from the mediators’ community. At least one Director (currently there are 3) must not be part of the mediation community. Rebecca Clark is taking over as Chair when the current chair Sir David Foskett stands down in June, and we are seeking a new Deputy Chair to take over that role from Rebecca. There are 4 Board meetings a year, and monthly meetings of a management group which includes the Chair, Deputy Chair, Hon Treasurer and CEO.

The CMC also has a number of working groups and committees.

All directors, committee members and working group members give their time voluntarily.

The Deputy Chair will be appointed for a 3 year term, renewable. The CMC’s constitution stipulates that Directors are not expected to serve more than 2 terms, but may serve a third term in exceptional circumstances.

What does the Deputy Chair do?

The role of the Deputy Chair is to support the Chair in furthering the aims of the CMC. The mediation market is at an exciting stage and there is scope for the successful candidate to mould the role to reflect particular interests or areas of expertise. The CMC is a growing organisation and has big plans for the future, but is heavily reliant on the work of volunteers to move forward and create change. Each of our Board members and member volunteers bring something unique to the organisation and is passionate about different aspects of what we do; whether that is regulation, standards, communication, government liaison, website management, or something completely new. We want to know what you could contribute and what your interests are.

As the “go to” Government resource for all matters concerning mediation, we take seriously any Calls for Evidence, Government initiatives, or consultations and strive to respond to these as thoroughly and professionally as possible. This places a considerable burden on certain CMC directors and members. Ideally, we would like the new Deputy Chair to assist with this process.

We would also welcome applications from anyone with expertise, or a particular interest in other forms of communications and PR.

We have several expectations of a Deputy Chair:

• to commit to attend all Board meetings and Officer meetings, except in unavoidable circumstances;

• to have an understanding of the mediation market and/or commit to educating oneself appropriately;

• to attend the annual CMC conference;

• to take an interest in the work of the working groups and committees and offer expertise and experience where appropriate.

Time Commitment of the Deputy Chair

• To prepare for and attend 4 Board meetings per year, of 3-4 hours and one Annual General Meeting. Board meetings are currently held on zoom in the late afternoon.

• To attend meetings of the management group, currently on the first Tuesday of every month in the morning.

• To attend the Annual Conference.

• To take specific responsibility for aspects of the CMC’s work, to be decided in consultation with the Chair in the light of the Deputy Chair’s skills and interests.

Minimum estimated total time 10 hours per month; 15 in months with a Board meeting.

If you wish to discuss the role further or have a confidential chat about any aspect of the role or application process, please email the current Deputy Chair, Rebecca Clark, to arrange a time.

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Additional Information About the CMC

Established in 2003, the CMC liaises with government, the Civil Justice Council, different mediation organisations, employers, and other stakeholders to promote mediation as an effective means of conflict resolution and address issues of concern within the mediation process. In addition, with over 700 registered individual members, 40 registered service providers and 21 registered mediation training providers, the CMC is the largest registering and regulatory organisation for mediators in England and Wales. It provides the public with a trusted directory of mediators across various areas including civil and commercial, workplace, community, SEND and education. It keeps members and the public abreast of developments in mediation, the mediation process, and its place in the settling of arguments in a constructive, non-confrontational manner. The CMC also hosts a Fixed Fee Mediation scheme which, following the removal of a similar scheme from the Ministry of Justice’s webpages, assists members of the public in finding a mediator for disputes under £50,000 at a fixed price.

Since 2016, the CMC has operated a voluntary system of regulation for mediators; the vast majority of its members have opted to become a regulated mediator. In early 2021, the CMC changed its membership policy so that from January 2022, every individual CMC member who practices civil/commercial or workplace mediation in England and Wales will have to be CMC regulated. The purpose of regulation is to protect the public, and the regulatory scheme covers both civil/commercial mediation and workplace mediation. It offers mediators a professional pathway from training through to CMC Fellowship, which is available to the most experienced mediators. The CMC does this by setting criteria for mediator skills training courses and operating an approval system for these courses. As such, all CMC regulated mediators are trained to agreed industry standards, follow an appropriate Code of Practice, carry out necessary professional development activities, and have both suitable insurance and a suitable complaints process in place.

The CMC also offers a similar regulatory scheme for providers, and jointly with the College of Mediators, operates a slightly different scheme for members specialising in SEND mediation. In addition to requiring mediators to demonstrate they meet the CMC’s criteria for recognition, the CMC also offers a complaints process that can be used if a client is not satisfied with the outcome of the mediator’s own complaints process.

The CMC carries out activities to promote best practice, for example through offering affordable CPD at its conferences and issuing guidance on relevant topics. It is also continuing to strengthen its regulatory approach, for example through developing a framework for external assessment of training courses.