FAQs

The following is a list of questions that we hope will help to answer the immediate questions you might have in relation to the CEDR Mediator skills training course. The list covers core information on training in commercial mediation including details about the course such as pass rate and our bursary policy.

Should you have further queries or require more detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Training team on +44 (0) 20 7536 6000.

(1) Core mediation information

Q: What is mediation?

A: CEDR defines Mediation as: "... a flexible process conducted confidentially in which a neutral person actively assists parties in working towards a negotiated agreement of a dispute or difference, with the parties in ultimate control of the decision to settle and the terms of resolution."

Q: What types of mediation are there?

A: There is civil or commercial mediation (the area in which CEDR works), which broadly reflects the areas that could be litigated in the Civil Courts. This includes everything from employment, partnership, personal injury, property etc. There is also community mediation, which can involve anything from resolving conflicts within families, neighbours or amongst school children, to mediating between victims of crime and their offenders.

Visit the CEDR Solve case study section of the site for examples of mediation in action.

(2) Training in commercial mediation

Q: What is the commercial mediation market like?

A: Being a commercial mediator is still a relatively new profession in the UK. Consequently, with the exception of a small number of individuals, there are very few full-time commercial mediators. Established mediators may only mediate three or four cases a month. Fees tend to match those for consultants or professional advisers, reflecting experience, background and reputation. The vast majority of mediators either have a 'day job' or mediate as part of a portfolio career. The following list is an example of the different types of disputes where commercial mediation can be used to settle disputes effectively.

Q: What body regulates commercial mediation?

A: At present there is no regulating body for mediation and neither are there any statutory qualifications required to mediate. However, the market dictates that most mediators have some form of accreditation. CEDR is widely acknowledged as the leading commercial mediation trainer in Europe.
On successful completion of the CEDR Mediator skills training course, the participant can then use the title CEDR Accredited Mediator which now has global recognition.

Q: Are there any exceptions on the Mediator Skills Training course?

A: CEDR recognises that the training offered by other providers can also offer a solid framework from which to adopt mediation practice and can have parallels with our own training. However, CEDR needs a clear demonstration of your mediation ability in relation to the CEDR competencies. This means that in order to gain CEDR accreditation you will need to undertake our five-day course. In very rare circumstances, if you are able to clearly demonstrate your extensive experience, with written feedback, we may make an exemption and ask you to attend only for the days which contribute toward your accreditation assessment - days 3, 4 and 5. The decision for exemptions is made on a case-by-case basis.

Q: Who delivers the training?

A: CEDR has a group of over 30 mediation trainers, referred to as the Training Faculty. All faculty members are accredited and practicing mediators as well as trainers, with collective experience of delivering hundreds of delegate training days per year. Faculty members are either full-time CEDR staff members or consultants, and represent the most experienced body of mediation trainers in the UK and worldwide.

Q: Who have you trained?

A: CEDR has trained approximately 3,000 mediators over the last 17 years; this number comprises participants from diverse professional backgrounds.

Q: Do you offer in-house training?

A: The Mediator skills training programme is also offered on an 'in-company' basis subject to a minimum group of 15. If you require further information on this or would like to receive a proposal then please contact a member of the training team on 020 7536 6000.

(3) Before taking the Mediation skills training course

Q: Is there homework to be completed at the end of the training days?

A: You will be participating in numerous role-plays over the 5 days and we suggest that you can expect to spend at least one additional hour in the evening reading these papers throughout the course.

Q: What kind of feedback do you get on your course?

A: As an indication for the year 2006, over 90% of attendees rated the course as "excellent".

Q: I do not have a legal background - am I at a disadvantage or even eligible to attend?

A: No specific qualifications or experience are needed to undertake the CEDR MST course, and participants from a variety of professions and backgrounds attend the open courses. There are no prerequisites other than a willingness to engage in shared learning through role-plays and interactive exercises. Substantive knowledge of law is not required.

Q: What can I do to prepare myself for the course?

A: Once confirmed on a course, participants will need to prepare thoroughly for this demanding programme and a minimum of 16 hours pre-reading should be anticipated. All course material, which consists of The CEDR Mediator Handbook, case studies and role-play instructions, are dispatched at least one month in advance of the course. Maximum benefit can only be achieved if all participants are familiar with these key materials. For supplementary information please have a look at our recommended reading list, which you may find useful.

Q: What is Accreditation awarded on?

A: Accreditation is based on the assessments of Days 4 & 5 of the CEDR mediator skills training course. Each participant mediates one simulated role-play on each day during an hour session lot. A CEDR faculty member observes each session and assesses performance against a set of competencies. Individual feedback, group learning and discussion continue alongside this assessment.
The Certificate of Accreditation is awarded to participants who demonstrate the required level of competence to achieve the status of CEDR Accredited Mediator. Please download the 'Competencies' document for more information.

Q: What is the pass rate?

A: It is a highly challenging course, but approximately 70 per cent of participants achieve accreditation. The Foundation Course in Mediation Skills Certificate is awarded to acknowledge the participation of those who do not achieve accreditation, and an opportunity to be reassessed may be available for some participants.

Q: How is the price of the course decided?

A: Although some mediation training providers have their courses delivered by professional trainers with mediation experience, the CEDR course is delivered by some of the country's leading practitioners who also have extensive training experience. For the majority of the 5 days there is a ratio of 5:1 delegates to a faculty member. This allows for a high level of coaching and feedback for each participant.
The course is almost entirely based around exercise and role-play scenarios and as a result the amount of administration and logistical costs involved are high. CEDR is aware that the cost of attending this course is significant; however as a result it allows CEDR Accreditation to be recognised as the international benchmark of mediation training excellence.

Q: Does CEDR offer any financial assistance with the cost of the course?

A: A limited bursary fund is available each year as a contribution to the cost of training for a small number of participants. Preference is normally given to applicants from overseas, charitable organisations and those otherwise precluded from attending. Please contact us for details of the qualifying criteria and application process.

Please click on the following links to see CEDR's bursary policy and application form:

Bursary policy

Q: Can I attend if English is not my first language?

A: The CEDR Mediator skills training course is open to anyone, globally, who wants to be trained in the skills required for effective mediation of commercial disputes. However, this course relies heavily on interactive teaching methodology and this demands an extremely high level of competence in spoken English and English language comprehension from delegates. This also includes the ability to understand regional accents. As the accreditation assessments are practical spoken assessments, delegates should be aware that insufficient English language capabilities can affect their chances of accreditation.
If you are concerned about your English then CEDR suggests that you call and speak to any member of the Training Team who will be able to assess whether or not you are eligible to attend. Please call +44 207 536 6000 and ask for a member of the CEDR Training Team.

(4) Once the course is completed

Q: Once the course is successfully completed is there anything else I need to do before receiving my results?

A: Yes, each delegate is required to complete three written assignments for a deadline two weeks after the end of the course. The first two of these will be assessed:

• A written settlement agreement; this is based on the case study undertaken on day three of the course. You are welcome to use the CEDR Model Settlement Agreement as a skeleton for this assignment.
• A written self-assessment of your mediation skills; this is in relation to the strengths you bring to mediation and the areas you feel you need to work on.
• The third assignment is to write a brief action plan about how you wish to take mediation forward in your career.

Q: What can I do with my accreditation?

A: Once a mediator is accredited, you are free to market yourself at your leisure to develop your mediation practice. Mediator appointments can be obtained by registering with mediation provider organisations. Additionally, there are a number of regional mediator groups and associations. Although regional groups currently receive only a small number of referrals, they are increasing their workloads by linking up to court-annexed mediation schemes such as those at Birmingham and Leeds courts.
Accredited mediators are eligible to participate in CEDR's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. Mediators achieving CEDR accreditation are recognised in the UK and internationally as offering a service of quality and integrity.

Q: How does CEDR support me once I am accredited?

A: Gaining accreditation with CEDR is no guarantee of mediation appointments from CEDR Solve. Mediation is no different from any other emerging profession in that there is no fast track or guaranteed route to securing work. Persistence and dedication are important traits of practising mediators and successful mediators tend to spend a good deal of time developing the market before they receive referrals in that market.
Prior to attending the course CEDR strongly advises all participant to carry out their own market research in order to have a very clear understating of what they themselves can expect to achieve on gaining CEDR Accreditation. CEDR's mediator skills training course also attracts participants who seek a detailed understanding from the perspective of a mediation user or representative or to enhance their mediation toolkit.

Q: What is the CEDR Exchange?

A: The CEDR Exchange is a network for individuals who are interested in the field of mediation and who wish to develop their knowledge and skills. The emphasis is on learning exchange and the input from CEDR includes enhanced information services as well as access to events and seminars. Participation of the Exchange is a pre-requisite for being eligible for the CEDR Solve Assistantships programme and amongst the benefits of participation include free access to CPD log book forms specially designed to record your mediation experience and development for those wishing to become registered.

Q: Do you run any refresher training?

A: Once every quarter we run a one day event titled 'Peer Practice' which provides the opportunity for mediators both new and experienced to share and try out new techniques in safe environment.

Q: Do you have any advanced training for mediators?

A: Accredited mediators are eligible to participate in CEDR's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, which provides a framework for individual development. A number of advanced training for mediator events are held every year ranging from 'Influence and Rapport' training to 'Risk analysis in mediation'.

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