Stephen Wood Mediation

Online Mediation Training

November 6, 2016
I have just completed a 3 day course of training in online mediation.  Online mediation is very similar to face to face mediation but the meetings take place over webcams on a computer, tablet or smartphone, rather than in a room.

Online mediation may be preferred if:
  • You do not live near to the other party (perhaps because you are in different countries);
  • You and the other party do not live near to a mediator;
  • You wish to save time travelling to the mediation;
  • You consider that you would be at risk of harm if you were in the same room as the other party;
  • You suffer from a disability that makes attending a mediator difficult; or
  • You would prefer to mediate online, just as you shop or bank online.
For online mediation I will be using a software called "Zoom.us" which you will have to download.  This is a free video interface software which offers high levels of confidentiality and security.  You can download it by clicking on the following link: https://zoom.us/download

If you are connecting from a laptop or a desktop, please select the option "Zoom Client for Meetings".  If you connect from a mobile phone or from a tablet, please select the option "Zoom Mobile Apps".

Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : ODR 

 

Workplace Mediation in Luton

July 17, 2016
Workplace disputes can frequently be extremely damaging to an employer, with disputes often escalating quickly, and typically leading to lower morale, lower productivity, higher staff turnover and employment tribunal claims.

Workplace mediation is a voluntary process, usually arranged by the employer, where two or more employees agree to attend a meeting with an impartial mediator.  The mediator works with the employees in helping them negotiate their own resolution and create an agreed way fo...

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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Workplace Mediations Luton 

 

Workplace Mediation in Milton Keynes

July 17, 2016
Workplace disputes can frequently be extremely damaging to an employer, with disputes often escalating quickly, and typically leading to lower morale, lower productivity, higher staff turnover and employment tribunal claims.

Workplace mediation is a voluntary process, usually arranged by the employer, where two or more employees agree to attend a meeting with an impartial mediator.  The mediator works with the employees in helping them negotiate their own resolution and create an agreed way fo...
Continue reading...

Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Workplace Mediation Milton Keynes 

 

Judging at the INADR's 2016 International Law School Mediation Competition in Athens

June 12, 2016
I was delighted and honoured to be asked to be a judge at the International Academy of Dispute Resolution's International Mediation Competition at the American College of Greece in Athens, which took place between 14th and 17th May 2016.

Each team of 3 students competed in 3 rounds, with each team member being a mediator, client and client's lawyer over the 3 rounds.  The highest scoring teams then competed in the semi-finals, and ultimately the final.



Congratulations to the winners and to all ...
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Posted by Stephen Wood.

 

Civil Mediation Council 2016 Annual Conference

June 12, 2016
I had an enjoyable day at the CMC 2016 Annual Conference at Congress Centre, London on 11th May 2016.  Sir Alan Ward gave a warm welcome to us.  We had a number of prominent mediators speak during the day, and, as always, the optional workshops were informative and entertaining.

Perhaps the most memorable talk was "Beyond - A View from Down Under" by Geoff Sharp, who explained how mediation had assisted the victims of the 2011 Chrstchurch earthquake in dealing with insurance companies.  Geoff ...
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : 2016 CMC Annual Conference 

 

What do lawyers look for in choosing a mediator?

April 10, 2016
CEDR's Sixth Mediation Audit in 2014 was based on responses from mediators and lawyers.  

When asked to rank the relative significance of various factors in determining why particular individuals secured commercial mediation appointments, there were several noticeable differences between mediators and lawyers.

In 2014, the top 5 factors for mediators were: 

1) Professional reputation - experience/status (which was 3rd for lawyers)
2) Availability (which was 1st for lawyers)
3) Professional backgro...
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Posted by Stephen Wood.

 

What is 'Commercial Reality'?

April 10, 2016
As a civil and commercial mediator and also as a litigation solicitor, I often discuss the phrase the 'commercial reality' with users of mediation and my legal clients.  When emotions run high, asking a party about the commercial reality can often bring a party's focus back onto settlement, as they consider the inherent risks of litigation and the costs of wasted energy, anxiety, time and money. 
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Commercial Reality 

 

When might workplace mediation not be suitable?

March 20, 2016
Workplace mediation has good prospects of success but there may be some situations when it might not be appropriate. Mediation may not be suitable when:
  1. one of the parties has been absent due to work-related stress and his or her GP advises against participating in the mediation;
  2. one of the parties insists that an investigation needs to take place before he or she will participate in the mediation;
  3. the parties have not voluntarily agreed to participate; and
  4. allegations of fraud have been made.

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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : When not to use 

 

The need for a signed written settlement

March 13, 2016
To avoid further dispute it is sensible for the parties to agree prior to the mediation starting that the dispute is only settled once written terms of settlement are signed.

The process of writing-up the settlement often leads to a party seeking an additional clause (or two) that had not previously been discussed, emphasising the importance of there only being a settlement once the written agreement is signed.
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Written Agreement 

 

Advise clients about litigation costs prior to the mediation

March 9, 2016
As part of the mediation process I, along with most mediators, will ask the parties to calculate the costs of the litigation, in particular the costs they will pay if they win and the costs they could be ordered to pay if they lose.  It often has a very sobering effect!

It is therefore important for those advising a party to provide their client with details of the likely costs in advance of the mediation.
Continue reading...

Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Costs 

 
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About Me


Stephen Wood is an ADR Group Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator, an ADR Group Accredited Workplace Mediator, an ADR Group Accredited Online Mediator and a Consultant Litigation Solicitor. In 2017 Stephen was appointed to the Panel of Chairs of the Valuation Tribunal of England. In 2023 Stephen was appointed a Family Court Magistrate in Leicestershire. Stephen has undertaken over 100 paid mediations.

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