Mediation

Dates

1 Week: July 21 - 25, 2025

2 Weeks: July 21 - Aug 1, 2025

1 Week: Aug 18 - 22, 2025

2 Weeks: Aug 18 - 29, 2025

Location

Cape Town
Johannesburg

Format

In-Person/Online

Tuition (In Person)

1 Week

$999 pp individual

$800 pp for groups of 5+

2 Week

$1,500 pp individual

$1,150 pp for groups of 5+

Tuition (Online)

1 Week

$600 pp individual

$400 pp for groups of 5+

2 Week

$800 pp individual

$500 pp for groups of 5+

Course Overview

The Mediation course is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively resolve conflicts through the process of mediation. Mediation is a collaborative and non-adversarial approach that empowers parties to find mutually beneficial solutions, making it a vital tool in both personal and professional contexts.

This course covers:

Foundations of Mediation: Understanding the principles, benefits, and processes of mediation.
Conflict Analysis: Identifying the root causes and dynamics of disputes.
Communication Skills: Enhancing active listening, questioning techniques, and emotional intelligence.
Facilitation Techniques: Guiding parties toward resolution while maintaining neutrality.
Agreement Building: Drafting clear, enforceable agreements that address the needs of all parties.
Ethical Considerations: Upholding fairness, confidentiality, and impartiality.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for professionals and individuals seeking to enhance their conflict resolution skills, including mediators, legal practitioners, HR professionals, managers, educators, community leaders, and anyone involved in facilitating dialogue and resolving disputes in personal or professional settings.

1 Week Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Mediation

Definition, principles, and purpose of mediation
Comparison with litigation and arbitration
Overview of mediation processes globally
Types of mediation: commercial, workplace, family, and community

Workshop: Identifying disputes suitable for mediation

Day 2: Legal and Ethical Frameworks for Mediation

Legal recognition and enforcement of mediation agreements
UNCITRAL Mediation Rules and the Singapore Mediation Convention
Ethical considerations: neutrality, confidentiality, and impartiality

Case Study: Reviewing enforceable mediation agreements

Day 3: Mediation Process and Core Skills

Stages of mediation: preparation, opening, exploration, and negotiation
Core skills: communication, active listening, and building rapport
Managing emotions and power imbalances in mediation

Activity: Role-playing exercises to practice active listening and negotiation techniques of States

Day 4: Dealing with Challenges and Advanced Techniques

Handling impasses and resistance in mediation
Strategies for breaking deadlocks and managing high-conflict situations
Cross-cultural considerations in mediation

Simulation: Mediating a high-conflict or cross-cultural dispute scenario

Day 5: Practical Application and Certification

Conducting full mediation sessions in small groups
Drafting mediation agreements
Feedback and debrief from instructors and peers
Mock Mediation: Participants lead and mediate cases with peers acting as disputing parties

Certification Ceremony: Distribution of completion certificates

This one-week intensive course equips participants with essential mediation knowledge and skills while providing practical experience through hands-on simulations.

2 Week Course Outline

Week 1: Foundations of Mediation

Day 1: Introduction to Mediation
Understanding mediation: Definition, goals, and principles The role of a mediator vs. other conflict resolution methods, such as arbitration and litigation Benefits of mediation in various contexts

Day 2: Types and Styles of Mediation
Facilitative, evaluative, and transformative mediation styles Choosing the right style for specific conflicts Case studies of successful mediations

Day 3: The Mediation Process: Step-by-Step
Pre-mediation preparation: Screening cases and gathering information The mediation process phases: Opening, exploration, negotiation, and agreement Setting ground rules for effective mediation

Day 4: Essential Skills for Mediators
Active listening and questioning techniques Building trust and managing emotions Nonverbal communication in conflict resolution

Day 5: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Confidentiality, neutrality, and impartiality Understanding legal frameworks and cultural sensitivities Ethical dilemmas and how to address them

Week 2: Advanced Mediation Techniques and Practice

Day 6: Conflict Analysis and Management
Identifying root causes of conflict Assessing power dynamics and stakeholders’ interests Strategies for managing high-conflict personalities

Day 7: Negotiation and Agreement Writing
Facilitating collaborative problem-solving Techniques for overcoming impasses Drafting clear, enforceable agreements

Day 8: Specialized Mediation Scenarios
Family mediation, including divorce and custody disputes Workplace mediation, such as employee grievances Community and cross-cultural mediation

Day 9: Practice Mediation Role-Plays
Guided role-play exercises in pairs or groups Feedback and debriefing sessions to improve skills Handling real-life mediation challenges

Day 10: Evaluation and Future Development
Review of key concepts and skills Self-assessment and peer feedback Building a career in mediation, including certification, networking, and continuing education Final practical assessment or mock mediation session

Course Materials and Activities

Handouts on mediation frameworks and case studies
Videos of exemplary mediations for analysis
Role-play scenarios tailored to participants’ industries or interests
Journaling and reflection activities after each session

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