Latest News

Could robots replace humans in mediation?

18th September 2020
"AI and algorithms are increasingly being used in alternative dispute resolution – but can a robot really replace the flesh and blood of a trained mediator?" asks Jane Player in this insightful article.

As a mediator she reflects on the opportunities that arise with the development of Artificial Intelligence and reflects on whether these might be of use in the field of mediation.
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National Mediation Awards 2020 Shortlists

1st September 2020
We are delighted to announce the shortlists for the 2020 National Mediation Awards.
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Mediation Messenger, August 2020

1st September 2020
August's Mediation Messenger is now available to read, including information about the CMC's new fixed fee scheme and an on-demand webinar for employers is now available.
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On-Demand Webinar for Employers: Addressing Conflict in a Remote Working Environment

31st July 2020
How can managers cater for different communication styles and respond to employee needs in a virtual working environment? Find out in our live conversation on how teams are adapting to changing needs in the workplace.
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Mediation Messenger, July 2020

31st July 2020
July's Mediation Messenger is now available to read, including information about the CMC's new fixed fee scheme and an on-demand webinar for employers is now available.
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Do Black Lives Matter to Mediators?

21st July 2020
Prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement, experienced Scottish mediator Charlie Irvine thoughtfully examines his own privileges in this worthwhile article. He questions the diversity of the mediation community and tries to come up with ways to do better, posing the uncomfortable question "Do Black Lives Matter to Mediators?" and "What are we going to do about it?". This article is part of our Thought leadership series.
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Pre-dispute mediation – the new norm?

20th July 2020
"Life after COVID-19 will be tricky for those businesses that survive." says mediator Jane Player at IPOS Mediation about the business landscape after the coronavirus pandemic.

Mediation can be an effective tool helping all parties involved to find productive solutions to conflicts that inevitably arise about unfulfilled contracts, project interruptions or debt claims.
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In the midst of chaos there is opportunity

7th July 2020
Conflict is an inevitable part of life. Especially in businesses and organisations where people have different values and opinions while working together in stressful situations. "But how can you handle conflict better?" asks Martha Clarke, experienced mediator and the Civil Mediation Council's communications officer.

In this article Martha explains how mediation can solve conflicts, mend relationships and improve productivity. She answers the sometimes intimidating questions of how, when or why to enter into a mediation: "The good news is anyone can mediate."
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Features of mediation

29th June 2020
Mediation is a process where an impartial mediator helps two or more people to discuss and resolve disputes. This article highlights some of the features of mediation.
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An expert opinion: Time For Presumptive Virtual Mediation

26th June 2020
With a surge in disputes across different professions and areas of society due to the Covid-19 crisis, UK courts are overrun with cases. Mediation can be an effective tool to resolve cases more quickly and cost-effectively than litigation. It also preserves relationships due to its reconciliatory nature.

The author of this article makes a case for Presumptive Virtual Mediation and comes to the conclusion that "Litigation by default is incapable of providing cheap, timely and accessible justice to the majority of private individuals and businesses."

"Virtual mediation comes 'just in time', rather than 'just in case' we need it."
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Facts about mediation

22nd June 2020
A 2018 study by CEDR shows that the commercial mediation profession saved businesses around £3 billion a year and the majority of cases were settled right on the day of mediation with an extremely high success rate. A fast, flexible and cost-effective process.
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Mediating in a Post-Pandemic World – Webinar 25 June, 12pm

17th June 2020
Mediating in a Post-Pandemic World - Webinar 25 June, 12pm - CMC and Hive Society are pleased to present a discussion on best practices around remote mediation to help conflict resolution professionals build confidence mediating cases online, or offering mediation service online to clients.
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The Go-Between: resolving disputes in uncertain times

17th June 2020
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic "It is likely that increased, and more creative, use of mediation will be one of the differences." says David Owen QC. The experienced mediator and arbitrator takes a look at the crucial role mediation will play in effectively solving civil and commercial disputes after the crisis.
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How Can You Mediate Without Meeting?

12th June 2020
"Mediation is an extremely versatile settlement tool that can be used in a variety of different settings." says Chris Robinson who specialises on intellectual property disputes.

His practical advice applies to any case in civil or commercial mediation. During the Covid-19 crisis many conflicts arise due to unforeseen circumstances. While many court cases have come to a halt, mediation can be successfully practised remotely: "The ability to mediate remotely will allow clients to undertake this even during the Pandemic."
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Is mediation only a good thing during a crisis?

8th June 2020
With the easing of lockdown restrictions, the focus shifts to the enormous strain the justice system is currently under. There have been a number of high profile and public calls for parties to consider the use of alternative forms of dispute resolution, such as mediation.

Iain Christie, mediator and former Secretary of the Civil Mediation Council, examines the impact of the recent developments.
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Inheritance disputes – how mediation can resolve and reconcile

3rd June 2020
"When families are at war the opposite side becomes the devil incarnate. But the beauty of mediation is that the process can be transformative. Sometimes shattered relationships can be rebuilt." Mediator Alistair Pye at IPOS Mediation speaks about his experiences mediating in inheritance disputes.
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Can, and should, the courts force parties into ADR?

11th May 2020
Mediation is designed to be a voluntary process that requires all participants to be willing to reach a settlement. But are there situations where courts could or even should force unwilling parties to mediate?

This article written by mediator Charles Gordon examines recent cases in which the courts made decisions regarding alternative dispute resolution.
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Mediate before you litigate!

29th April 2020
"Mediate before you litigate!" demands Tom Thomas ODE, the Deputy Chair of the Civil Mediation Council, in this interesting article. While many peoples the first urge might be to take their dispute to court, this often costs the disputants a lot of time, energy and productivity. They are faced with high litigation costs while the underlying issues remain unresolved.
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National Mediation Awards

27th April 2020
In our uncertain world, mediation has never been more important. Together with the College of Mediators, we are delighted to recognise and showcase the talent available and launch the National Mediation Awards 2020.
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Results – CMC Board Election 2020

7th April 2020
The election for two new CMC board members closed on Monday, 30th March and the results have now been independently verified.
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Coronavirus – A Letter from the CMC Chair to Members

31st March 2020
It goes without saying that we currently find ourselves in extremely difficult times with unwelcome constraints, both personally and professionally. The mediation community is no exception.
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2020 Election to CMC Board of Directors

16th March 2020
Voting opens today (16 March) for the 2020 election to the CMC Board of Directors.
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Nominations Open for Election to CMC Board

25th February 2020
Nominations for election to CMC Board can be made until 6th March.
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Sir David Foskett’s Address to the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates

4th December 2019
Sir David Foskett, Chair of the CMC, was pleased to be asked to deliver an address to the Standing Conference of Mediation Avocates on 3rd December 2019. The text of his address is below.
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Mediation Awareness Week

10th October 2019
Sir David Foskett's introduction to London Mediators' Day 2019, which launched Mediation Awareness Week.
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CMC Annual Conference 2019 – Tickets Sold Out

7th October 2019
Tickets for the CMC's Annual Conference are now sold out. If you would like to add your name to the waiting list in case a ticket becomes available, please e-mail events@civilmediation.org.
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The Singapore Convention

23rd September 2019
The CMC believes that the UK should become a party to the Singapore Convention, to support the settlement of international disputes without recourse to litigation.

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Resolving Conflict – Putting Mediation First – 3rd October 2019

1st July 2019
Join us on 3rd October at the Bank of England as an experienced speaker line-up explores real solutions to resolving conflict in the workplace.
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CMC Chair Gives Lecture In New Mexico

1st July 2019
Sir David Foskett, CMC Chair, was recently invited to talk to the New Mexico First Judicial Bar Association in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the invitation of New Mexico Supreme Court Justice David Thomson.
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Trade Stand and Sponsorship Opportunities – CMC Conference – 6th November 2019

28th June 2019
Details of sponsorship & trade stand opportunities for the CMC's conference on 6th November have been released.
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Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Mediation

24th June 2019
Together with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL), and the Motor Accidents Solicitors’ Society, the CMC is pleased to announce the launch of the AFM Register of Mediators.
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CMC Welcomes Sir David Foskett

7th June 2019
The CMC board and members were pleased to welcome Sir David Foskett as the CMC's new chair this week.
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Civil Mediation Council Appoints New Chair

31st May 2019
The Civil Mediation Council (CMC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Sir David Foskett as its next Chair.
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CMC Board Election Results 2019

22nd February 2019

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Register of SEND Mediators

14th December 2018
Special Educational Needs and Disability Mediation Standards – a joint project of the College of Mediators and Civil Mediation Council. .
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CMC Consultation: Mentoring, Peer Review and Reflective Practice

8th December 2018
For the last few years, discussions have taken place about whether civil and commercial mediators should have, or be required to have supervisors, mentors or practice consultants.
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CMC AGM

15th November 2018
The CMC's AGM takes place on Wednesday 5 December 2018 at 17.00 at the International Dispute Resolution Centre, 70 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1EU. If you are a CMC member and would like to attend, please e-mail secretariat@civilmediation.org
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Membership Consultations

15th November 2018
The CMC's CEO, Paul Adams, is consulting members about the future direction of the CMC. In order to hear the views of as many people who want to give them, Paul is conducting a number of consultations in small groups via video conference in the w/c 3rd December. 
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National Mediation Awards

31st October 2018
The National Mediation Awards took place in Mediation Awareness Week, in early October. The event, which the CMC jointly hosted with the College of Mediators, proved to be a fantastic celebration of excellence across all mediation sectors.
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David Richbell

28th September 2018
David Richbell, mediator, trainer and mentor and CMC Director died on 25th September 2018.

David had an illustrious mediation career and gave much to the mediation community in the UK and further afield.
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Save Time, Save Money, Save Stress: Resolving Conflict at Work (Cardiff, 21 November)

20th September 2018
The CMC Workplace and Employment group invite you to join us at Cardiff Metropolitan University to share insights into how to make mediation approaches the default option in workplace and employment disputes.
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Save Time, Save Money, Save Stress: Resolving Conflict at Work (Newcastle, 16 October)

20th September 2018
Acas and the Civil Mediation Council are delighted to invite you to join us at Trinity Chambers on the quayside to hear leading speakers share their unique experiences of mediation when dealing with conflict in the workplace.
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National Mediation Awards (London, 9 October)

21st August 2018
The National Mediation Awards 2018 takes place on 9th October 2018 and nominations are now open. The awards celebrate excellence in mediation.
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Written Evidence to Women and Equalities Committee

21st August 2018
The CMC has submitted written evidence to parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee’s Inquiry in to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace on the question of ‘The advantages and disadvantages of using non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases, including how inappropriate use of such agreements might be tackled’.
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SEND Mediation

21st August 2018
The CMC and the College of Mediators, supported by the Department of Education, operate a joint SEND accreditation scheme which sets professional standards for SEND mediators.
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Mediation Awareness Week

21st August 2018
Mediation Awareness Week takes place from 6 – 12 October 2018. Mediators are encouraged to organise events that increase the public’s awareness of mediation; these are promoted on the MAW’s website for a small fee. 
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