ICC releases best mediation training scenarios book

The new book was launched at a cocktail reception on 9 February in Paris which was attended by mediators, mediation specialists and students from around the world.

ICC decided to produce the compilation after numerous universities and providers of mediation training asked for copies of the commercial dispute case-studies that professional mediators create for students to resolve in mock sessions at ICC’s Mediation Competition each year.

Entitled International Commercial Mediation Training Role-Plays – Cases from the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition , the new book is co-edited by Greg Bond and Colin J. Wall, two professional mediators originally from the UK and long-term residents of Germany and Hong Kong respectively. Both have also been working for many years as judges and mediators at the ICC Mediation Competition. The book assembles case-studies written by 16 prominent mediators who drew on their own professional experiences to write role-plays that reflect situations encountered in real disputes.

This is a golden, diverse compilation of some of the best role-plays in mediation and negotiation, contributed by some of the best-known mediation and negotiation trainers.

First of its kind

“It’s the first compilation of its kind,” said Greg Bond, Mediator and Trainer, who joined the Competition in 2011 and is part of the working group which further develops the Mediation Competition Rules each year. “We hope these case-studies and explanations will be a useful resource for lawyers, business people and students of commercial mediation around the world.”

The book is both educational and entertaining to read. Each role-play comes with a set of general information for both parties, as well as confidential information for each party.
The two editors provide expert comment on the role-plays from business, legal and training perspectives.

In his book review, Michael Leathes, former General Counsel of British American Tobacco and Member of the Board of Directors of the International Mediation Institute, said: “This is a golden, diverse compilation of some of the best role-plays in mediation and negotiation, contributed by some of the best-known mediation and negotiation trainers, made available by ICC to trainers everywhere to use and adapt. This compilation is a really important contribution to the promotion of excellence in mediation.”

Spacenook Saga

Even the case-study titles are fascinating, with names such as “The Spacenook Saga”, “Top Pipings Ltd. v SuperDrilling Ltd.”, “Hot & Spicy BBQ”, “The Palm Leaf Shopping Mall” and “Special Chemistry”. They are grouped into five clear chapters: contracts and disputed terms; sales contracts and disputes over quality; intellectual property disputes; construction disputes; and personal and emotional disputes.

“Many highly realistic case studies are put to the test every year by students at the ICC Mediation Competition, so it was an exciting challenge to select the 21 best ones. We’ve managed to include a wide range of cases to show how mediation can be used to resolve complex disputes amicably and efficiently,” said Colin J. Wall, Arbitrator and Mediator, who has been involved with the Competition since its inception in 2006, and who has co-chaired the writing and editing of competition role-plays since 2012.

“It is our hope that this book will prove to be a useful resource for mediation training worldwide,” said Andrea Carlevaris, Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and Director of ICC Dispute Resolution Services. “The role-plays illustrate the complexities and competing interests often encountered when analyzing cross-border disputes. They are intended for use in teaching interests-based conflict-resolution skills.”

The book is available in English, and can be ordered from the ICC Store.

Attracting hundreds of participants each year, the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition has become a major global forum for professional mediators, trainers, and students of mediation and mediation advocacy. Taking place on 5-11 February 2015, the event’s 10th edition is the most diverse yet, involving 67 student teams from more than 30 countries.

Watch interview with co-editors Greg Bond and Colin J. Wall

Watch interview with Dr Rosemary Howell, University of South Wales, Australia

Launch of the book during the Competition’s Middle Cocktail

Follow the latest Mediation Week developments on Twitter via the hashtag #ICCMW @ICCMediation

For more information on ICC mediation services, visit the ICC International Centre for ADR.