From an international point of view the double hybrid nature of ‘med-arb’ – imagined as a ‘guarantee’ for a ‘prompt’ resolution of business disputes – is out on a limb. The contractually planned transition from a failed mediation towards the ascertainment of procedural fairness in the subsequent arbitration under the guidance of the same Neutral poses indeed delicate questions.Not more than two – by the way federally ruled – countries – the USA and Australia – have endeavored – in some of their States – to tackle the problems related to confidentiality which determine the viability of ‘med-arb’ (beside the basic behavioral problem of negotiating with the assistance of a Neutral who unexpectedly may become your arbitrator). The validity of the – domestic – solutions devised in the USA and Australia is subject to caution in the light of the 1958 New York Convention on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.

This contribution examines how the Directive 2008/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters is transposed in various member states of the European Union, or how the discussion about the transposition is conducted or is still ongoing in some countries. The following seven countries are examined: Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, England, France, Germany and Austria.

Recently the Dutch Mediation Institute (NMI) evaluated the Code of Conduct for mediators, which originally was issued in 2001. The NMI introduced a revised Code in 2011. ‘The mediator shall refrain from any judgments regarding the dispute.’ What will be the impact of this article for evaluative mediators, who want to be engaged both in the mediation process and the content of the dispute? This article seems to be based on the American approach of evaluative mediation. During the last decade Dutch mediators tend to mix various mediation styles to a specific personal blend. The author argues that the Dutch approach of evaluative mediation does not interfere with crucial demands in the Code like the impartiality of the mediator and the autonomy of decision of the parties involved.

This article examines the Belgian legislation aimed at safeguarding the confidential nature of mediation. It takes the perspective of all actors involved in the mediation process: the parties to the dispute, the mediator and experts or witnesses who participate in the mediation.

An arbitrator and the parties can be confronted with an insolvent party. In such event the arbitrator will have to integrate the effects of the insolvency into the arbitration proceedings and consider several precautions in order to render a valid and enforceable award. The main principle when tackling most of these issues is the equality of creditors. Another issue can be the identification of the applicable (system of) law. The effect of the insolvency can vary considerably depending thereon. In domestic arbitration this will not be an issue. Also, when the parties all come from EU-member states, the identification of the applicable law and the effects of the insolvency are covered by the European Insolvency Regulation. But in other international disputes the relationship between bankruptcy law and arbitration can be complex and uncertain. To illustrate the difficulty of the issues the Syska Vivendi case serves as an excellent example. Finally we describe the impact on the way the arbitration is conducted by the tribunal and on the administration and supervision of the arbitration by the institution.

When a lawyer has his/her intake meeting with a client and ponders whether the case is to be taken to court or whether it is appropriate for mediation, different parameters have to be considered.
Mr. Green finds out that this photovoltaic installation does not produce the output initially guaranteed, and his lawyer will first have a look at the terms and conditions on guarantee and liability in the sales contract. The lawyer should consider time, cost, potential outcome and future relations between the parties, and compare these four parameters in a situation whereby proceedings in court are initiated with a situation whereby a mediation is started up. The assessment of each of these parameters in court proceedings and mediation is entirely different, and understanding these differences will assist in opting for court proceedings or mediation, or a combination of both. Reflexivity will be key.

If we want Mediation to be a success, we need to diversify our techniques by mixing different styles and forms.Mediators, should always try to find solutions for the problems of their clients and not only bring the prophecy to the world of the ideal ‘conflict resolution’. It is important to be flexible and not stick to one style of mediation but to try out new recipes in mixing them together. Have the guts to experiment with coaching, advising ,negotiating, collecting information etc.. Mediators also need to take the ‘marketing rules more serious. Every client is looking for HELP. So please do so and train yourself in finding out their real needs.And finally mediation is a perfect technique to save costs in a company..unsolved conflicts and tensions cost fortunes.Let us ‘market’ our business in an new and creative way.

In family law practice we are dealing increasingly with international aspects of broken relationships. Once children are involved, severe questions of habitual residence occur when one of the parties decides to return to his or her land of origin.Over the past years the 1980 Hague Abduction Convention has been criticised in the Netherlands, mostly because of the duration of such proceedings.In the Netherlands a change in legislation is now almost a fact, introducing a set of measures one of which is offering parents a Cross Border Mediation.This summer, The Hague Conference will come off with a ‘Guide of good practice’, to introduce Cross Border Mediation in international child abduction cases. The Netherlands stand out in having a Cross Borer Mediation system already integrated into their legal practice, soon to be legal system. So far the results have been evaluated positively in such a way that Cross Border Mediation should be considered as a useful tool in preventing abduction cases as well as in regular relocation cases.

When a lawyer has his/her intake meeting with a client and ponders whether the case is to be taken to court or whether it is appropriate for mediation, different parameters have to be considered.
Mr Green finds out that this photovoltaic installation does not produce the output initially guaranteed, and his lawyer will first have a look at the terms and conditions on guarantee and liability in the sales contract. The lawyer should consider time, cost, potential outcome and future relations between the parties, and compare these four parameters in a situation whereby proceedings in court are initiated with a situation whereby a mediation is started up. The assessment of each of these parameters in court proceedings and mediation is entirely different, and understanding these differences will assist in opting for court proceedings or mediation, or a combination of both. Reflexivity will be key.