This book brings together the views of 16 leading mediation professionals from different sectors, all of whom have practised mediation for a number of years.
The detailed profiles include accounts of their practice and how it has evolved, with a focus on how they apply theory to practice, including various case studies and the different models of mediation they employ.
Despite the fact that the experts are from different disciplines - including commercial, international relations, environmental and family mediation - a set of common principles emerges. These are impartiality, independence, neutrality and flexibility. It becomes apparent that, despite the contributors' individual disciplines, they all apply and identify with these core principles.
In one chapter, the author outlines the various models of mediation and illustrates them with contributors' accounts of how they can be applied in everyday practice. Although the models are not discussed in great detail, the summary of each is very useful for those readers who are new to the subject.
Although the book does briefly mention the participation of children in mediation, it only does so in passing and it is described as a delicate and complex task. Rather than providing advice for mediation professionals working with children and families, the book instead refers readers to the UK College of Family Mediators' policy on children and young people (2002).
