Originally from World Arbitration And Mediation Review (WAMR)

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BOOK REVIEW

REVIEW OF 'GLOBAL TRENDS IN MEDIATION'
By Michael Leathes (UK)*

Sir Isaac Newton invented the principle of the doubly-reflecting
navigation instrument which later led to the development of the sextant in
1730. How can you determine the best route forward if you don’t know
where you are? Global Trends in Mediation1 is a sextant with a modern
twist – a literary Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker for plotting the
future development of mediation in the world. It is a vital, updated
summary of the state of mediation in fourteen civil and common law
jurisdictions, blended with steerage about the way ahead.
Mediation is clearly on a series of pathways ultimately leading to
international recognition and acceptance throughout the world. Its progress
has been patchy, as this comparative assessment clearly demonstrates, but
fundamentally a seismic movement is occurring. In some countries,
mediation is maturing, while in others it is in its infancy. Global Trends
pinpoints how, when, where, and why.
This book is needed to gain an accurate understanding of the pathways.
Professor Nadja Alexander has artfully edited this in-depth review of the
state of mediation, interspersed with provocative insights into why
mediation is also a state of mind. It is much more than a comparative
analysis; it offers qualitative observations, balanced suggestions, and
provocative predictions. There is coverage of empirical research and
experimentation, process quality and regulation, government leadership and
judicial schemes, online dispute resolution, attitudinal research, industrybased
schemes, voluntary/mandatory experiences and much more.