Trial therapy; rights or interests? with LEADR Fellow, Geoff Sharp on Wednesday 11 May 2011
How realistic is this, especially in the mediation of litigated cases? How often, in reality, do the parties in these types of cases discuss and negotiate over joint interests rather than their respective positions, on money, land or legal rights, etc. In this session, Geoff will look at the obstacles to interest-based bargaining in commercial mediations and how mediators can promote more interests and less rights or – if parties insist on bargaining from the positions rather than from joint interests – how we can assist them to do that better. Geoff will also look at the softer side of commercial mediations: is it primarily a matter of valuing the case or is there a role for therapeutic interventions? If so, what might these be? Come along to hear Geoff promote discussion on these and other aspects of mediation. In offering lessons learned from over a decade of active mediation practice, he promises to be of interest to mediators and lawyers alike.
About Geoff Sharp Geoff Sharp is a commercial mediator working in the main centres in New Zealand and more recently as needed in Sydney. Geoff is known for his professional and innovative contribution to mediation at a global level, his vigour in promoting alternative dispute resolution and the personal integrity that underpins his efforts. He is the third LEADR Fellow and is the first Australasian to be elected to the International Academy of Mediators (USA). Acknowledged as one of the pioneers of New Zealand mediation, Geoff was invited to join the visiting faculty of California’s Pepperdine University Law School in 2008 as part of its Annual Summer Professional Skills Programme for Mediators. Geoff has also participated in Bond University’s Distinguished Practitioner in Residence program and is a Vice-Chair of the Independent Standards Commission of the International Mediation Institute (IMI) in the Hague currently setting global mediator credentialing standards. In 2009 Geoff joined the International Advisory Board of Singapore Management University’s newly founded Centre for Dispute Resolution located in SMU’s School of Law Singapore. Geoff remains as a barrister admitted to the New Zealand Bar, is an accredited mediator in Australia under the National Mediator Accreditation System and in New Zealand, he is on the advanced mediation panels of both LEADR and AAMINZ. Geoff has trained mediators and lawyers in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Malaysia and Thailand and has consulted widely to the New Zealand Government on aspects of public sector mediation. Prior to committing to a full-time mediation practice a decade ago, Geoff was a litigation partner at Bell Gully, one of New Zealand’s largest national commercial law firms. Before that his early career was at Mallesons (Melbourne) where he is admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court and Federal Court of Australia. For Geoff's website, see: www.geoffsharp.co.nz |
Wednesday 11 May 2011 From 5.15pm to 6.30pm Note: Doors close at 5.30pm. If arriving after 5.30pm please provide contact number in RSVP so arrangements can be made. Cost: $12 members; $15 non-members; $10 students To be paid at the door RSVP by Mon 9 May to leadr@leadr.com.au or Professional development This event contributes: Podcast A podcast of the recording from this meeting will be available to LEADR members on the LEADR website. |
As mediators, especially if we are mediating litigated cases, much of our work is involved in assisting parties who take a rights-based/ positional approach to their negotiation. Yet as aspiring mediators we are taught to seek win/win, interest-based solutions. Send comments, ideas and material for future LEADR events >>