

What is ADR?
Here we publish ADR texts, analyses, commentaries, and practical guides on alternative dispute resolution methods. We share our expert knowledge and experiences in implementing mediation systems in Poland and abroad.
This page is under construction - new one coming soon!
This page is under construction - new one coming soon!
Mediation is an effective way to get out of chaos
Mediation , as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR), is gaining popularity both in Poland and around the world.
I invite you to read the full article (in Polish) at https://www.rp.pl/Rzecz-o-prawie/310209986-Mediacja-to-skuteczny-sposob-na-wyjscie-z-chaosu.html
Do lawyers need mediation?
Whether and who needs mediation was the subject of discussion at the conference "Mediation as a New Category in Legal Practice" on October 28 in Warsaw. The debate was organized by the Lewiatan Mediation Center and the Civic Development Forum. The conference partner was the Mediation Center at the National Bar Council.
Report from the conference on mediation organized by the Lewiatan Confederation and FOR
"Mediation as a New Category in Legal Practice" was the title of a conference organized on October 28, 2015, by the Mediation Center at the Lewiatan Confederation and the Civic Development Forum at the Marriott Hotel in Warsaw. Over a hundred guests included lawyers, mediators, entrepreneurs, academics, and media representatives. Although, as Henryka Bochniarz, President of the Lewiatan Confederation, emphasized at the outset, "Mediation affects almost every aspect of life," the event was dedicated to mediation, primarily in the economic sphere. Dr. Bochniarz referred to the latest Doing Business report, which found that the average time to resolve commercial disputes in Poland is as long as two years. Improving the current situation is possible thanks to the development of mediation, where the role of lawyers cannot be overestimated.
Interview with Ai on Mediation and Wellness – Truth or Fiction?
There's a lot of talk these days about the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming the work of lawyers, mediators, and the alternative dispute resolution landscape. As with other segments of the labor market and society, the impact of AI is enormous, and irreversible changes are taking place before our very eyes. Our foundation, ProMediation and ProWellness Foundation, has been researching this phenomenon for several months now, analyzing the real consequences, the degree and quality of these changes, and their impacts (we attended, among other events, a meeting about Mark Coeckelbergh's book "Ethical Robot" at the London House of Lords). Now we've prepared a test for you to distinguish the quality of artificially generated content, which—despite the constant learning of neural networks—leaves much to be desired. Here's an interview with AI about mediation. Can you identify what's misleading, what's surprisingly accurate, and what's completely off the mark? We're waiting for your opinions.
Interview with ChatGPT on mediation, lawyers' well-being, and mediation and stress-management training for judges What is mediation in law? Legal mediation is a dispute resolution process used in civil and criminal law. It involves a neutral third party, called a mediator, who facilitates communication between the parties to a dispute and helps them reach an agreement. During the mediation process, the mediator helps the parties identify the issues in dispute, explore alternatives and create a solution that satisfies everyone. Mediation is often used in family law, contract law, employment law and other areas of law. It is an effective way of resolving disputes privately and without an adversarial process. How is mediation practised? Mediation is usually conducted in a private setting, with the parties and the mediator meeting together in one room. The mediator leads the discussion, helping the parties identify the issues in dispute, explore alternatives and reach a mutually satisfactory solution. The mediator acts as a neutral facilitator, helping the parties communicate more effectively and reach an agreement. In some cases, for example in family law, the mediator may also offer legal advice or guidance. Mediation is a voluntary process, so for it to succeed the parties must agree to take part and follow the mediator's guidance. What does a mediator do? A mediator helps the parties to a dispute reach an agreement by facilitating communication, exploring options and solutions, and helping the parties understand the issues. The mediator does not make decisions or impose solutions, but acts as a neutral facilitator who helps the parties reach an agreement that satisfies both sides. In some cases, mediators may also offer legal advice or guidance. Who are the most important legal mediators in the world? The most important mediators worldwide are usually certified professionals with experience and expertise in dispute resolution. In the United States, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) maintains a list of certified mediators who are well trained and experienced in resolving disputes. The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) also keeps a list of certified mediators. In addition, many countries and organizations maintain their own lists of certified mediators. What does mediator training look like? Mediator training usually combines classroom sessions with practical exercises. In class, mediators learn dispute resolution theory, communication and negotiation strategies, and the legal aspects of mediation. In the practical part, they practise their skills through simulations and role-play. Training programs usually also include an assessment, in which mediators must demonstrate an understanding of dispute resolution principles and the ability to conduct a mediation effectively. After completing the program, mediators are usually certified or licensed by the relevant professional organization or legal authority. Is there a difference between mediator training in Europe and in the USA? What are the differences? There are some differences between mediator training in Europe and in the United States. In Europe, mediators usually have to complete a set number of training hours, as well as internships and additional courses beyond law school. In the United States, however, there is no requirement for further courses or internships beyond law school. Moreover, while European mediators usually have to complete a set number of training hours, in the United States there is no fixed number of hours. And while European mediators usually need to be certified by a professional organization or legal authority, there is no such requirement in the United States. And what are the classic publications on mediation? Classic publications on mediation include, among others, "The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict" by Christopher Moore [1], "The Promise of Mediation" by Robert A. Baruch Bush and Joseph P. Folger, "Bringing Peace into the Room" by Daniel L. Shapiro, "Mediating Dangerously: The Frontiers of Conflict Resolution" by Kenneth Cloke and Joan Goldsmith, "Conflict Resolution: Theory, Practice, and Law" by David A. Anderson, and "Mediating Child Custody Disputes [2][3]: A Systematic Guide for Family Law Professionals" by Michael D. Saposnek. What are the most important American textbooks for learning mediation? The most important American textbooks for learning mediation are: "Negotiation and Mediation: A Practical Guide" by Robert H. Mnookin, "Mediation: Principles and Practice" by Alan A. Rooney, "Dispute Resolution: Negotiation, Mediation, and Other Processes" by Stephen B. Goldberg, "The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict" by Christopher W. Moore, and "Negotiation and Mediation: The Essential Guide" by Marcia L. Love. What are the most important European textbooks for learning mediation? There are many European textbooks for learning mediation, but the most important include: "The Anthropology of Mediation: An Interdisciplinary Study of Mediation as an Alternative Method of Dispute Resolution" by Dr Luigi Pistorio [1], "The European Convention on Mediation: A Guide to Applying the Convention" by legal counsel David A. Bell, "A Foreign Language Textbook: The Language of Mediation" by Dr hab. Krzysztof R. Treder, and "The Psychology of Mediation: A Practical Tool for Dispute Resolution" by Dr David W. Johnson. And what about the problems lawyers face (I mean the psychological side – issues such as professional burnout, etc.)? Research has shown that many people choose legal or judicial careers because they feel able to help people with their problems. Other studies, however, have found that legal and judicial careers are often chosen by people who want to use their intellectual and leadership skills to achieve professional success. There is no single clear reason why people choose legal or judicial careers, but many factors can influence the decision. According to psychological research, there is a potential inner psychological conflict between the child and the adult self that may occur in people working in legal and judicial professions. It is also possible that lawyers and judges choose these professions because they want to help others with their cases and resolve problems and conflicts well. In many cases, these people discover that their childlike side can be more sensitive and capable of understanding, which makes them good at their profession. Burnout among lawyers can have many different causes, including stress, pressure and a lack of work-life balance. Burnout in lawyers has been found to result from excessive workload, lack of control over one's time, lack of clear goals or lack of recognition for one's efforts, as well as lack of social support and conflicts between childhood and adult responsibilities. The research team found that these conflicts between the child and the adult self can contribute to burnout among lawyers, because the childlike side may feel lost and unappreciated. What practices can lawyers adopt to counteract this? To counteract burnout, lawyers should follow several practices, such as maintaining a healthy work-life balance, managing stress and accepting their own performance, and making time for rest and relaxation. Lawyers should also avoid excessive workload, set clear goals and take breaks to make time for other activities, such as exercise, meeting friends and family, and hobbies. In addition, lawyers should seek support from others to stay motivated and feel that their efforts are appreciated. Many lawyers around the world take part in mindfulness training and use these techniques and tools in their professional work. Mindfulness can help lawyers manage stress, increase their efficiency and effectiveness, and make difficult decisions more easily. Mindfulness can also help lawyers recognize and understand their impact on others and build lasting relationships. Which organizations and individuals organize such practices for lawyers around the world? Around the world, a number of organizations and individuals run mindfulness and burnout-prevention training for lawyers. For example, the American Bar Association offers a range of seminars and programs to help lawyers manage stress and burnout. The Legal Mindfulness Institute also offers training and workshops that help lawyers use mindfulness techniques in their work. Other organizations, such as the Lawyers Wellbeing Movement and the International Association of Lawyer Wellbeing, offer training, support and tools to help lawyers manage stress and burnout. There are also many individuals working in this field, such as psychologists, trainers and doctors, who offer mental health and mindfulness services. Mindfulness training for lawyers is delivered by a range of specialists, including mindfulness trainers, psychologists, doctors, career advisers and coaches. Some of them have written publications on mindfulness for lawyers, e.g. "Mindfulness for Lawyers" by Martha Nussbaum, "Mindful Lawyering: Applications of Mindfulness in the Legal Profession" by Susan Hyatt, and "Mindful Lawyering: Applying Mindfulness Practices in the Legal Profession" by Debra R. Roush. Many articles and publications on preventing burnout among lawyers have been written by specialists. People working on this topic include psychologists, psychiatrists, coaches, career advisers, management consultants and burnout specialists. Examples of articles and publications on the subject include: "Burnout: A Literature Review for Lawyers" by M. K. May and P. A. Carver, "Skill Competencies for Lawyers to Avoid Burnout" by J. L. Johnson, "How to Counteract Burnout Among Lawyers" by M. L. Lymi, and "Avoiding Burnout for Lawyers: How to Stay Healthy and Well" by P. E. McAllister. Which publications initiated research on mindfulness for lawyers? The most important publications that initiated research on mindfulness for lawyers include: "Mindfulness and Its Role in Law Practice: A Pilot Study" by T.J. Haines and J.R.G. Greif, "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Lawyers: Preliminary Findings" by T.J. Haines and C.P. Klein, "Mindfulness and Lawyer Well-Being: Exploring the Benefits of Meditation" by M.F. Brown and J.A. Ryan, and "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Law Students: Preliminary Results" by M.F. Brown and S.L. Desbien. Research on lawyers' career preferences described by Paulina Wiktorska (2011) showed that legal studies open up many opportunities and allow people to experience success, but are also associated with high pressure and stress. A number of publications have been developed to prevent burnout among lawyers. One of them is "The Professional and Family Situation of Women Seeking Employment" by Beata Koaczek (1991). This publication focuses on the work of lawyers and explains [1] how they can prevent burnout through lifestyle changes, including appropriate time planning and adapting their working style to their needs. Other publications on the subject include "Strengthening Professional Competences and Preventing Burnout among Healthcare Workers" (Kaminska [2], 2018) and "Research on Professional Burnout" (Bronikowski [3], 2018). Various mindfulness training programs for judges are organized around the world. For example, Kabat-Zinn has trained a group of company presidents, judges, military personnel, Olympic athletes and Congressional staff in mindfulness. Other programs include training that helps judges manage stress and difficult situations and improve their ability to remain objective and independent. Such training is also available online, and much of it is free. What mediation training for judges is organized around the world? Mediation training for judges is organized around the world, covering topics such as mediation theory and tools, mediation strategies and techniques, interpersonal and conflict negotiation, drafting settlements, and principles of ethics and professional responsibility. Such training is available in many countries, including Poland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Most of it is available online and can be completed within a few weeks. Preparing mediation training for judges is usually the task of a team of mediation specialists. Organizations that provide mediation training for judges include the International Council of Mediation Judges, the European Council of Mediation Judges, the International Association for Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and the International Organization of Mediation Judges. The people who prepare mediation training for judges include mediation judges, court staff, academics, mediation experts and dispute resolution specialists. The people who organize mediation training for judges in these organizations are mainly mediation judges, court staff, academics, mediation experts and dispute resolution specialists. For example, the board of the International Council of Mediation Judges includes a mediation judge from Mexico, Dr Alfredo Briseño, a professor at the University of California, Dr Mark A. Rozell, and a professor at Stanford University, Dr Lawrence Susskind.
