Developing the Craft of Mediation

"While there is no shortage of how-to books for mediators, works focusing on the voice of the mediator are rare. This book aims to fill that void by highlighting the perspectives of 16 mediators on a variety of topics, ranging from what motivates them to their different mediation styles and approaches."-Dispute Resolution Journal `I recommend this book to all mediators in whichever discipline they practise and with it the implicit challenge – to know and develop our craft.' –Resolution Newsletter, and www.resolution.org.uk The modern emergence of mediation represents the new and evolving application of an ancient and universal approach to settling quarrels. Mediation is now an established method of dispute resolution across a wide range of professional, workplace and social situations including the family, community, commercial, organisational, employment, environmental and international arenas. It is increasingly being applied to new legal, care and health sectors such as child abduction, child protection, housing and medical negligence. This book draws uniquely on the concrete knowledge and practice experience of leading mediators, working in a variety of fields, to inform contemporary debates and challenges. These practitioners reflect on the excitement, complexity, difficulty and satisfaction of their work as well as on the differences and commonalities within and across diverse fields of mediation practice. The book explores individual qualities and approaches, styles and models of practice, institutional frameworks and personal ideologies. Developing the Craft of Mediation is an essential aid for any mediator, and for other professionals wanting to enhance their understanding of the theory and practice of mediation.