BOOK REVIEW: Mediation: An A to Z Guide

There are many myths about mediation that this book dispels clearly and succinctly. It explains concepts, buzzwords, acronyms and jargon in non-legal, non-academic language. After this explanation comes a paragraph or two headed ‘in practice’, where an experienced mediator talks about what it actually means and how it is likely to play out in reality. This is invaluable because, with confidentiality being a key part of mediation, it can be hard for solicitors, barristers and clients to grasp what is common practice.

With so many books about mediation already available, why buy this one? It is a first port of call for the busy adviser, newcomers to mediation, students, or even old hands who want to understand the latest buzzwords. Although the title indicates it is a glossary, this book is much more – it provides guidance on when to use methods or approaches, and where to go to follow up on research. A downside is that the alphabetical presentation means it can be hard to glean information quickly, because you need to know the term to search for. This is partially alleviated by the cross-references and the overview contained in the ‘What is mediation – the Top 10’ section.

While the guide’s primary focus is civil and commercial face-to-face mediations, it also encompasses workplace, family and community mediations. It therefore allows those interested in hybrid approaches to explore concepts across the broad spectrum of mediation and to consider applying them in their field – something more experienced mediators are embracing (and a very good thing too).

Welcome inclusions are comprehensive references to the terms and concepts used in online dispute resolution. Walker says ‘more and more people will mediate their disputes, but not in the way they have done over the last 25 years’. How right he is. This book will prepare you in this fast-changing world to mediate your dispute using your telephone or laptop without leaving your desk and, if you prefer, from anywhere in the world.

Rebecca Attree is an accredited mediator at Attree & Co in London