I am now able to offer family mediation to separating or divorcing couples. We are expanding the site to cover this new area that extends the situations in which Rapproche can help you find resolutions.
Talking to the Enemy
July 23, 2011 – 10:46 pm
I listened last night to Jonathan Powell’s repeated Radio 4 programme on negotiating with terrorists. There were some great quotes to remember. Jerry Kelly – IRA terrorist – on sitting down with the Unionists – “You can only negotiate, and move things forward, with opponents. You can talk to friends all day”. How to deal with anger and tension – “I usually let them shout for a bit then I say ‘I think it’s time we had a coffee and I think we are going to get there this way. And if you guys want to go back to war, go to it, it’s what you have been doing for 50 years. But that’s not what this is about.” And the bicycle theory – you have to keep it moving forward because if it falls over it’s very hard to pick up again.
It is still available on the BBC iPlayer until 28th July – click here. I shall be looking forward to next week’s final part.
Negotiation in Commercial Mediation
January 4, 2011 – 8:21 pm
We are told that participants in a mediation should follow Fisher and Ury’s advice and negotiate around interests rather than positions but these are not the only options and I do not think they are the most useful. My article in Arbitration explores alternatives Read More
Press Launch
March 25, 2010 – 1:56 pm
We are delighted to publish our official launching Press Release. Click here for full text or continue below Read More
Confidentiality under threat?
February 11, 2010 – 4:49 pm
In my report of the CIArb Symposium I referred to the debate about confidentiality in mediation. If you are thinking about using mediation you have probably heard that what is said during the mediation is confidential – so you might be wondering what the debate is.
You may also be surprised that, in the recent Farm Assist case (click for .pdf of the judgment), the mediator was ordered to give evidence as to what happened in the mediation. Does this undermine what you have been told? I would say, No! But the position is not quite black and white – and if you read on you will probably be pleased! Read More
CIArb Mediation Symposium – 2009
November 5, 2009 – 11:48 pm
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators held its second annual mediation symposium on 29th October at the offices of CMS Cameron McKenna in the City of London. The Institute’s own report on the symposium can be seen here.
Some familiar themes were addressed, including what can we do to further popularise mediation, and well known views on the hot topic of mediator confidentiality were expressed.
The highlight was, of course, my short workshop on NLP! Read More
Welcome!
September 30, 2009 – 12:28 pm
Welcome to Rapproche!
We are a new kind of mediation and conflict resolution service. What distinguishes us is that we combine top level legal experience with a strong understanding that disputes are resolved by people. Sometimes just settling the dispute is adequate, and the legal background of our mediators is well suited to that. But we are also aware that disputants often want something else from the process too and we are skilled at unearthing and exploring that as well.
We hope you enjoy the site and would be delighted to read your comments.