The Hindu : Kerala News : International mediator training programme in Kochi

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Sunday, Dec 05, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

International mediator training programme in Kochi

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, DEC. 4. The Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) and the United Kingdom-based ADR Chambers will conduct training programmes in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods next year.

The training will be the first of its kind in India. The former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachaliah will inaugurate the three-day training programme at Riviera Suites here on May 4, 2005.

The training programme would be conducted under the direction of the ADR Chambers. The rapid growth of the Indian economy and the increasing complexities of business contracts were being recognised in Europe, said Jonathan Dingle, barrister and director of ADR Chambers at a press conference held here recently. Mr. Dingle is an accredited mediator of Middle Temple, London, and Secretary of Civil Mediation Council, England.

The IIAM is a non-profit organisation that has its administrative office at Bangalore and a regional chapter in Kochi. It has entered into an understanding with ADR Chambers, U.K., to set up a joint scheme for provision of an international institutional ADR platform between the two countries and worldwide.

The training programme would be based on the European Union Code of Conduct for mediators, as nothing on those lines is available in India at present, said Anil Xavier, director-administration, IIAM.

Mediation is about understanding the dispute and finding a common platform where both the parties could agree. All legal disputes except criminal proceedings could be settled through mediation and the agreement signed by the parties in the presence of the mediator has the validity of a court decree. This has been accepted by the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, Mr. Xavier said.

The three-day intensive training programme would concentrate more on the practical aspects of mediation in international business transactions than on theories, said barrister Andrea Barnes. Ms. Barnes and solicitor Judith Bell, both accredited mediators practising in Europe, will be the course tutors.

Those trained during the course will be enlisted as the Indian panel to be featured on the website of ADR Chambers so that people who want to avail the service of an Indian mediator for transactions between Europe and India could use it, he said.

The training programme would enhance the understanding and ability of the participants to negotiate and resolve conflicts, as well as provide a solid foundation in ADR processes and to serve as ADR neutrals such as mediators and arbitrators of international standards, Mr. Xavier said.

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