Although the book is written in a South African context, the principles will apply and be of interest beyond South Africa and to all mediators and clients in mediation whether their primary focus is on family disputes or not.
For mediators the book sets out to provide practical and theoretical guidelines for their work. The practice tips, further reading suggestions and references serve as an introduction to some of the work of leading mediators in the field for those readers who would like to develop a deeper understanding of the process.The book is also designed to be of use to those who have recently been trained as mediators or will soon be trained, as it complements the material usually presented in such training.
For clients it explains what they can expect in the mediation process, tips as to what to look for in a mediator and what they can do to prepare for their mediation in order to get the most out of the process.
The book covers mediation in three parts:
Part 1 of the book starts by looking at introductory issues: the question of defining mediation, followed by some comments on preparation for mediation. Then the focus shifts to the question of who mediates, and the qualities of an effective mediator.
Part 2 has chapters dealing with the mediation tool box, a problem-solving model for mediators, and the techniques mediators use. Particular attention is given to dealing with power imbalances and what mediators do when the process gets stuck, as often happens.
Part 3 deals with the wider context: the regulatory framework and related processes such as post-divorce facilitation and collaborative law.
Although the focus in this book is on family and divorce mediation, it should be clear by the end of the book that the skills and techniques are generic and portable to other types of dispute. In particular, the process is not only applicable to divorce mediation but to any family dispute whether there is a divorce involved or not. Disputes about wills, education, health care and maintenance are just some examples of areas where mediation can help without there necessarily being a divorce involved.
- Author: John O'Leary
- Title: Mediation in Family & Divorce Disputes
- ISBN: 978-1-920025-56-4
- Publication Date: 2014/03/01
- Publishing House: Siber Ink
- Target Market: Lawyers, Mediators, Family Court representatives, Counsellors, Social Workers, Pastors and Psychologists, parties to family or divorce disputes.
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