I have the distinct honour and pleasure of being one of the judges in the National Mediation Competition being run at the University of Law this weekend.

The competition is aimed at helping and encouraging law students understand the use of and the techniques for mediation in both their personal and professional lives.

Whilst mediation and ADR used to be mentioned during law school training the increased focus on mediation as a professional technique, and indeed as a separate profession, recognises the increased role of mediators in resolving disputes.

This year twenty teams will take part over the course of two days with four rounds for each team using both conference and (my preferred) caucus mediations.

I expect to learn from the participants as much as give any tips during feedback on improving skills and look forward to seeing how far mediation teaching has progressed since the dark ages of the 1990’s when I was at university.

Good luck to all involved!

And if you want to see how effective mediation can impact normal lives have a look at the report in the Houston Chronicle which reports on $1 million being knocked off patients bills as a result of mediation involving local medical authorities, Texas Department of Insurance and the state senator Robert Nicholls.

If you have a problem with an overstaying a tenant or any dispute in need of independent mediation, whether it's an employment issue or the sale at an under value of a property, a fight with a neighbour, family issues, commercial disputes or inheritance arguments contact Northwest Mediation on 07931318347 or via email at ed.johnson@northwestmediation.co.uk

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