Лектор докладно проаналізувала разом з учасниками медіацію, а саме:

1. Вступ. Важливість кар’єри медіатора в глобалізованому світі. Ознайомлення з ключовою лексикою юридичною англійською мовою.

2. What Is Mediation Today? Чим медіація відрізняється від судового процесу, арбітражу, переговорів. Сфери застосування (сімейна, комерційна, шкільна, трудова тощо).

3. Mediation as a Career: Global and Local Trends. Законодавчі рамки, перспективи та виклики.

4. Stages of Mediation. Типова структура процесу. Ключові дії медіатора на кожному етапі. Приклади мовних формулювань.

5. Core Skills of a Mediator:

- Soft skills: активне слухання, емпатія, управління конфліктами

- Hard skills: правова база, процедура, структура медіації

6. Language for Mediators. Типові фрази та кліше медіатора юридичною англійською мовою.

7. Q&A + Wrap-up.

У рамках характеристики медіації акцентовано на наступному:

1. Вступ. Важливість кар’єри медіатора в глобалізованому світі. Ознайомлення з ключовою лексикою юридичною англійською мовою

Key Characteristics of Mediation:

• Voluntary: Participation in mediation is usually voluntary. Parties choose to engage in the process and can withdraw at any time.

• Confidential: All discussions, documents, and outcomes in mediation are private. This fosters openness and protects sensitive information.

• Neutral and Impartial Mediator: The mediator has no interest in the outcome and does not take sides. Their role is to facilitate communication and help the parties reach a mutually acceptable solution.

• Cost-Effective and Time Efficient: Mediation is generally quicker and less expensive than litigation, making it accessible and attractive to individuals and businesses.

• Collaborative, Not Adversarial: Mediation encourages cooperation and mutual understanding, rather than confrontation and competition.

Why Mediation Matters in a Globalized World:

1. Cross-border disputes require culturally sensitive, cost-effective, and flexible solutions.

2. Mediation is recognized by major institutions (e.g. UN, EU, World Bank) and embedded in legal systems (e.g. UK Mediation Act, EU Mediation Directive).

3. Clients increasingly seek solutions beyond litigation.

Example: A UK-based company and a Ukrainian supplier prefer mediation over court proceedings to preserve business relations reduce costs.

Legal professionals are well-placed to enter this field.

Common Roles:

• Independent mediator in private disputes;

• Court-annexed mediator (civil/family cases);

• In-house mediator for HR or compliance departments;

• Trainer/consultant in ADR programs;

• Cross-border mediator (e.g., EU, ODR platforms).

Vocabulary:

Mediation – медіація;

Mediator – медіатор;

Dispute resolution – вирішення спору;

Neutrality – нейтральність;

Confidentiality – конфіденційність;

Settlement – врегулювання;

Impartiality – неупередженість;

Voluntary process – добровільний процес;

Facilitate – сприяти;

Common ground – спільна основа/точка дотику.

2. What Is Mediation Today? Чим медіація відрізняється від судового процесу, арбітражу, переговорів. Сфери застосування (сімейна, комерційна, шкільна, трудова тощо)

Mediation today is:

• a structured, voluntary, and confidential process;

• led by a neutral third party (the mediator);

• focused on interests, not just legal rights;

• designed to help parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

Key message: Mediation is not about winning or losing. It’s about reaching understanding and practical resolution.

Mediation can either be ‘evaluative’ in the sense that the mediator evaluates the strength of a case or ‘facilitative’ in that the mediator concentrates on helping the parties to reach agreement.

If mediation is successful, the parties may record their agreement in the form of a binding contract, enforceable in the courts.

What Skills from Legal Practice Are Transferable to Mediation?

• Active Listening: In mediation, you listen to understand — not to argue.

• Negotiation Skills: A good mediator knows when to slow down and when to nudge forward.

• Drafting Skills: Precision in language reduces future disputes.

• Client Communication and Empathy: Clear, empathetic communication fosters constructive dialogue.

• Problem-Solving Mindset: Mediators are solution architects.

• Ethical Judgment and Professionalism: A trusted mediator maintains neutrality with integrity.

Where Is Mediation Used?

1. Family: Divorce, child custody, inheritance;

2. Commercial: Contract disputes, joint ventures;

3. Workplace / Employment: Conflict between staff or employer-employee;

4. School / Youth: Bullying, disciplinary cases;

5. Community / Public: Neighbor disputes, local government issues;

6. Online Disputes (ODR): E-commerce, digital contracts.

3. Mediation as a Career: Global and Local Trends. Законодавчі рамки, перспективи та виклики

Conciliation the UK:

1. Conciliation is very similar to mediation, in that a third party helps the parties to reach a resolution. However, in conciliation the third party plays a more active role in bringing the parties together and suggesting solutions.

2. In some cases the initiative for a settlement comes not from the parties themselves, but from an outside agency; for example, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) tries to resolve both collective and individual disputes between employers and employees by means of conciliation.

3. ACAS receives a copy of all employment tribunal applications. A conciliation officer will then offer his services to the parties to help them reach a settlement. Many claims are settled at this stage with the parties avoiding the ordeal of a tribunal hearing. ‘Conciliation’ is now regarded as a form of mediation.

An employment tribunal will not hear a complaint until a conciliation officer has had a chance to see whether he can help, provided that he or she has been requested so to do by a party to the potential complaint.

A copy of the complaint made to the employment tribunal will in such a situation be sent to a conciliation officer of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) and, if he is unable to settle the complaint, nothing said by the employer or employee during the process of conciliation will be admissible in evidence before the tribunal.

The reference of cases to a conciliation officer has led to the settlement of some one-third of them before the tribunal hearing but the parties do not have to become involved in this procedure.

4. Stages of Mediation. Типова структура процесу. Ключові дії медіатора на кожному етапі. Приклади мовних формулювань

What are the stages of mediation?

A typical mediation involves six distinct stages:

1. Mediator's Opening Statement.

2. Disputants' Opening Statements.

3. Joint Discussion.

4. Private Caucuses.

5. Joint Negotiation.

6. Closing.

1. Opening / Introduction: Set ground rules, build trust.

2. Storytelling / Statement: Let parties share their perspective.

3. Identifying Interests: Move beyond positions, clarify real needs.

4. Exploring Options: Generate and evaluate possible solutions.

5. Agreement & Closure: Formalize outcomes, confirm commitments.

What the Mediator Does at Each Stage + Sample Language:

1. Opening / Introduction Mediator's Role:

• Welcome parties;

• Explain the process and principles (voluntariness, neutrality, confidentiality);

• Set the tone and create a safe space.

UA Keywords: відкриття, вступ, добровільність, нейтральність, конфіденційність.

Sample phrases:

• “Welcome. Thank you for being here today.”

• “Let me briefly explain how this process will work.”

• “Everything we discuss here is confidential.”

• “Are you both comfortable to proceed?”

2. Storytelling / Party Statements.

Mediator's Role:

• Let each party tell their story without interruption;

• Listen actively;

• Clarify if needed.

UA Keywords: висловлення позиції, емоції, активне слухання.

Sample phrases:

• “Take your time — I won’t interrupt.”

• “So if I understood correctly, you feel that...”

• “Can I just clarify what you meant by...?”

3. Identifying Interests.

Mediator's Role:

• Move the focus from positions to underlying interests;

• Explore what matters most to each party.

UA Keywords: інтереси, справжні потреби, фокусування, переорієнтація.

Sample phrases:

• “What is most important to you in resolving this?”

• “Can you help me understand what’s behind that request?”

• “Let’s look at what both sides really need.”

• “Is this about fairness, finances, or feelings?”

4. Exploring Options.

Mediator's Role:

• Facilitate brainstorming;

• Encourage flexibility;

• Test the reality of solutions.

UA Keywords: варіанти, рішення, компроміс, креативність.

Sample phrases:

• “Let’s explore possible ways forward.”

• “How would that solution work in practice?”

• “Would you consider... if they agreed to...?”

5. Agreement & Closure.

Mediator's Role:

• Help parties formalize what they agreed;

• Summarize clearly;

• Outline next steps or write a settlement.

UA Keywords: домовленість, угода, підсумок, завершення.

Sample phrases:

• “So, this is what we’ve agreed so far...”

• “Let’s make sure it’s clear for both of you.”

• “Would you like to put this in writing?”

• “Are you both satisfied with the outcome?”

5. Core Skills of a Mediator:

- Soft skills: активне слухання, емпатія, управління конфліктами

- Hard skills: правова база, процедура, структура медіації

A successful mediator combines:

• Soft skills to connect with people;

• Hard skills to guide the process confidently and lawfully.

Soft Skills —The Human Side of Mediation.

Soft skills help the mediator create a safe, respectful, and constructive environment.

• Active listening: Listening with full attention, reflecting, summarizing. “So what I hear you saying is…”

• Empathy: Understanding emotions without taking sides. “It sounds like this has been very frustrating for you.”

• Emotional regulation: Staying calm under pressure, helping parties de-escalate. “Let’s take a moment to pause before we continue.”

• Rapport building: Establishing trust and respect. “I appreciate your honesty in sharing that.”

• Conflict management: Dealing constructively with tension and disagreement. “Let’s focus on the issue, not on personal blame.”

• Reframing: Changing the language to reduce defensiveness. “Instead of saying ‘You broke the deal’, maybe we can say ‘There was a misunderstanding about the terms’.”

Hard Skills —The Technical Side of Mediation.

These are the practical and procedural competencies mediators must have to guide the process legally and effectively.

• Legal knowledge. Understanding the relevant laws (e.g., family law, contract law, mediation acts).

• Mediation procedure. Knowing the structure: opening, storytelling, interest identification, closure.

• Agreement drafting. Writing clear and enforceable settlement terms.

• Case assessment. Understanding when mediation is suitable or when to refer to another process.

• Neutral process management. Keeping the process balanced, ethical, and voluntary.

6. Language for Mediators. Типові фрази та кліше медіатора юридичною англійською мовою

Mediator's Clichés and Neutral Phrases:

• “This is your process.” To remind parties of autonomy.

• “It’s not about blame — it’s about solutions.” When emotions run high.

• “Let’s park that issue for a moment.” To temporarily set aside a difficult topic.

• “I’m not here to judge.” Reinforcing neutrality.

• “What would feel fair to both of you?” Encouraging mutuality.

• “Shall we take a short break?” Cooling off after escalation.

• “Let’s go one step at a time.” When parties feel overwhelmed.

Typical Phrases:

1. Opening / Ground rules. “Let me explain how the process works.” “This is a safe space for both of you. Function: Clarifying process, setting tone.

2. Clarifying statements. “Could you help me understand what you meant by…?” “Just to clarify...” Function: Clarification, avoiding misreading.

3. Reflecting & summarizing. “So what I’m hearing is that…” “Let me summarize where we are so far.” Function: Active listening, building trust.

4. Neutralising conflict. “Let’s focus on the issue, not the person.” “It seems there’s been a misunderstanding.” Function: De-escalation.

5. Exploring interests. “What’s most important to you in this situation?” “What are your concerns?” Function: Moving from positions to interests.

6. Encouraging options. “What would it take for this to work for you?” “Let’s explore all possibilities.” Function: Brainstorming.

7. Reality-checking. “What might happen if you don’t reach agreement today?” “How would that solution work in real life?” Function: Strategic thinking.

8. Closing / Agreement. “Are you both comfortable with this outcome?” “Shall we put this in writing?” Function: Concluding.

7. Q&A + Wrap-up

Mediation is 80% listening and 20% saying the right thing —at the right time.

A skilled mediator:

1. Uses non-threatening, clear language;

2. Avoids judgmental or directive phrases;

3. Helps parties feel heard, respected, and guided.

After mediation:

1. If a resolution is reached , mediation agreements may be oral or written, and content varies with the type of mediation.

2. Whether a mediation agreement is binding depends on the law in the individual jurisdictions, but most mediation agreements are considered enforceable contracts.

3. In some court-ordered mediations, the agreement becomes a court judgment. If an agreement is not reached, however, the parties may decide to pursue their claims in other forums.

You don’t have to stop being a lawyer to become a mediator — you just start using your legal skills differently.