SMU – Mediation and Dispute Resolution

 

 

Instructor: Professor John Wade

Faculty of Law

Bond University

Qld  4229  Australia

Phone: +61 7 5595 2004

Fax: +61 7 5595 2036

Email: john_wade@bond.edu.au

 

 

Learning Objectives

 

The learning objectives of this course include:

 

§           memorising the repetitive policy and ethical challenges in the mediation field; and the range of different responses to these challenges

§           memorising and practising repetitively the process steps involved in facilitative mediation

§           developing respect for different models of mediation

§           memorising and practising repetitively a set of problem solving skills including listening, acknowledging, reframing, summarising and questioning

§           enjoying fellow students and making friends

§           becoming curious about the various theories and critiques of mediation

§           gaining confidence in a safe environment

§           connecting existing skills and knowledge to mediation skills

§           memorising and practising responses to a range of standard hurdles faced as a mediator

§           becoming wary of simple answers; and being able to tolerate ambiguity

§           to develop habits of systematic preparation and diagnosis before a mediation; and self-reflection afterwards.

 

 

Learning Methods

 

Reading; quizzes; daily written reflective journals; question periods; multiple role plays; lunchtime chats; mini-lectures, visual summaries and story-telling; repetitive demonstrations of different skills; receiving instant feedback on some skills exercises; performing in front of a group and receiving feedback; giving feedback to peers on structured feedback sheets; research and writing a major assignment; seeking feedback from class on what to change? what to keep doing?

 


 

Assessment and Feedback

 

All registrants must:

 

1.        Attend and participate at every class during the five day period. This is essential as SMU issues an “attendance” certificate which can be used to gain access to certain mediator “lists” in the USA and elsewhere.

2.        Write a one to one-and-a-half page reflective journal each night on how certain events from class either challenged or confirmed your own life experiences. (20%)

3.        Write a 20 page assignment, with footnotes, or endnotes, and a bibliography, chosen from a list of topics distributed during the course (80%) (or a topic developed and drafted with the instructor).

4.        Items 2 and 3 must be emailed as annexures to the SMU office NO LATER THAN 30 days after the course finishes. Items 2 and 3, as annexures to your email, must be identified ONLY by your student number; not by your name.

5.        Feedback will be sought from students during the course, on what knowledge or skills they would like to gain, practice or revise. Constant feedback will be given to students on skills which they demonstrate.

 

 

Materials

 

1.        L. Boulle, M Colatrella, A. Picchioni Mediation Skills and Techniques (LexisNexis, 2008)

2.        Bond University Mediation Workbook (2008)

3.        Handouts distributed during the course.

 

 

Class Times

 

Days 1, 2, 4, 5                         8.30 am to 5.30 pm

Day 3                                      8.30 am to 12.30 pm


 

MEDIATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

 

 

Southern Methodist University

Plano, Texas

 

Program

 

 

Instructor: Professor John Wade, School of Law, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4229, Australia; e-mail john_wade@bond.edu.au

 

 

DAY ONE                                                                                                                             READING

 

8.30 am         Introductions, Course Objectives, Educational Methods

 

9.15 am         Introduction to Mediation; Big Picture                             Materials, Ch 1

 

10.45 am       Break

 

11.00 am       Positional and Interest Based Bargaining                          Materials, Ch 3

                                                                                                                     B.C.P., Ch 7

 

11.30 am       Arbitration/Negotiation Exercise

 

12.30 pm      Lunch

 

1.30 pm        The Mediation Process I – Stages and Sequence                    B.C.P, Ch 4

 

2.30 pm        The Mediation Process II – Skills and Techniques

 

3.00 pm        Break

 

3.15 pm        Mediation Demonstration

·         Video

·         Discussion

 

4.15 pm        The Opening Statement

·         Presentation                                                                  Materials, Ch 5

·         Demonstration                                                                   B.C.P, Ch 4

 

4.30 pm        Opening Statement

·         Practice

 

5.30 pm        Close; Homework; Journals


 

DAY TWO

 

8.30 am         Revision

 

8.45 am         Preparation for Role Play                                                                          

 

9.00 am         Distinguishing Facts, Concerns, Submissions,

                     Issues                                                                                                         

 

9.30 am         Concerns to “Issues”                                                              B.C.P., Ch 4

·         Presentation                                                                                         

·         Practice

 

10.30 am       Break

 

10.45 am       Role Play I

 

12 noon        Skills – Listening                                                                     B.C.P, Ch 5

 

12.30 pm      Lunch

 

1.30 pm        Skills                                                                                   Materials, Ch 6

·         Questions                                                                          B.C.P, Ch 5

·         Reframing

 

3.00 pm        Break

 

3.15 pm        Mediation Role Play II

·         Simulation

·         Debriefing

 

4.30 pm        Modelling – Orchestrator; Dealmaker

 

5.30 pm        Close; Homework

 


 

DAY THREE

 

8.30 am         Revision; Essay Topics

 

9.00 am         Mediation Role Play III                                                                            

 

10.30 am       Break

 

10.45 am       Beyond the Basics                                                                                     

·         Video Demo (Haynes)

·         Discussion

 

11.45 am       Process – Transitions to and from                                           B.C.P, Ch 4

                     Separate Meetings -

·         Demonstration

·         Discuss

 

12.30 pm      Close

 

2.00 pm        No formal Classes

- 5.00 pm      Options:

(i)                 1 hour commercial mediation video (Sous chef)

(ii)               Complete reflective journal

(iii)             Read designated chapters in B.C.P.

(iv)             Prepare outline for essay topic

 

 

 


 

DAY FOUR

 

8.30 am         Revision

 

9.00 am         Preparation: Conflict Analysis                                                                           Intake Questions                     Materials, Ch 2

·         Presentation                                                                       B.C.P, Ch 6

·         Exercises

 

10.00 am       Mediator Risks? – Legal, Business and Ethical

·           Presentation

·           Discussion

 

10.30 am       Break

 

10.45 am       Mediation Role Play IV

·         Simulation

·         Debriefing

 

12.30 pm      Lunch

 

1.30 pm        Intake Procedures – Purposes; Documents; Contracts      Materials, Ch 9

                                                                                              B.C.P., Appendix 1, 2 & 3

 

2.30 pm        The diagnostic problem solver – why some disputes

                     need an umpire

·         Exercise

·         Presentation                                                                Materials, Ch 12

 

3.00 pm        Break

 

3.15 pm        Role Play V                                                                                               

 

4.45 pm        Writing Exercise; Reflections on things learned

 

5.00 pm        The Mediation Abacus

·         Brainstorm

·         Presentation                                                                      B.C.P., Ch 9

 

5.30 pm        Close

 

 


 

DAY FIVE

 

8.30 am         Homework; reflections on things learned

 

8.45 am         Mediation Role Play VI - Watertight

·         Simulation

·         Debriefing

 

10.30 am       Break

 

10.45 am       Recurrent Bumps and Glitches in Mediation                   B.C.P., Ch 7; 11

                     Crossing the Last Gap in Negotiations

·         Exercise                                                                      Materials, Ch 12

·         Presentation

 

11.30 am       The Role of Apology

·         Exercise

·         Presentation

 

12 noon        Influential Outsiders

 

12.30 pm      Lunch

 

1.30 pm        Drafting Agreements                                                                                 

·         Written Exercise

·         Discussion

 

2.30 pm        Ethical Dilemmas – Responding as a Mediator

·         Interactive                                                                  Materials, Ch 10

·         Video Tape - Watertight

 

3.00 pm        Break

 

3.15 pm        Ethical and Strategic Dilemmas (continued)

 

3.45 pm        Marketing a Mediation Practice                                           B.C.P., Ch 12

·         Discussion

·         Presentation

 

4.00 pm        Where to from here?

·         Written Exercise

·         Discussion

 

4.30 pm             Voting

                          Feedback forms

                          Certificates

 

5.00 pm        Farewells