Mediation knowledge and skills are an increasingly important adjunct to legal practice. There are significant differences between being a legal adviser for litigation purposes and being an adviser in mediation or as a lawyer/mediator. Not the least is that within the range of solutions available to parties are non-justiciable ones. What’s more, it’s about the parties, not the law.

Our training is focused on lawyers as mediators or lawyers in the mediation process. You will learn new skills and learn to “park” some skills that you currently possess as a lawyer. 

Part A is about learning to improve your represention of parties at mediation and understanding of mediation. It will include identifying the learning (and unlearning) necessary to be a mediator and then practising some of the skills.

Part B is the next stage of improving and increasing skills, with a focus on disputes in family, employment and general civil/commercial law.

Learning objectives

You will be able to:

• Recognise the difference between the advice as counsel for the parties in litigation and in mediation.
• Describe the mediation process and how to prepare for a mediation.
• Explain the role of a mediator.
• Apply confidentiality rules and other professional obligations to a mediation.
• Describe the skills needed to be an effective mediator.
• Identify helpful and unhelpful behaviours in mediation and how to deal with them.

Format

This workshop will commence on a Friday evening and continue on Saturday and Sunday. We use a range of instruction and learning techniques, including formal instruction, Socratic method, small group discussion and problem identification and practice. You are required to do some pre-course reading and, in order to gain your certificate of completion, you will complete a short post-course assignment.

Who should attend

This course is for lawyers who do not have formal training in mediation – but who want to either gain an understanding of it so that they can better assist their clients going to mediation or who wish to train for and to consider becoming a mediator.

Note: The workshop is limited to 30 people.

Materials

Soon after you register you will be sent the set text Mediation: Principles, Process and Practice – Boulle, Goldblatt and Green. Shortly thereafter you will be sent the course materials folder that will contain other reading that you complete before the course and then brush up on during the two days.

Timing

• Day 1: 6.30pm – 9.00pm
• Day 2: 9.00am – 5.30pm
• Day 3: 9.00am – 5.00pm

Presenters

• Virginia Goldblatt, MNZM – Mediator
• Adam Lewis – Barrister and Mediator

Fee (incl GST)

Workshop

• $1,500 - NZLS members and Associate members
• $1,700 - Non-members

Do you want to register more than one person for this course? Click here

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available through the Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust.  Applications for assistance must be received by:

• Wellington - 5pm Monday 10 September

Late applications cannot be considered.

Please note: You must still register to attend this course, either online or by completing a registration form.

Download a Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust application form (123KB).

Download PDF brochure and registration form here. 

Wellington

12 - 14 October

 

Cancellation and refund policy

Please note: Minimum and maximum numbers apply. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come/first-served basis. Registrations close 10 working days before the presentation date (the closing date). NZLS CLE Ltd reserves the right to cancel any session that does not reach the budgeted minimum number of registrations. This decision will be made on the closing date and a full refund will be made to each registrant of the cancelled session. If you cancel your registration before the closing date, a refund will be made, less a $100 administration fee. After the closing date, there will be no refund. You may transfer your registration until five working days before the presentation. Please advise NZLS CLE Ltd in writing of the change.


Held in conjunction with

You might also be interested in...

• Mediation Part B - education disputes 
• Mediation for Lawyers Part B - Civil, Commercial & Family