Stephen Wood Mediation

Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation

December 17, 2017
Harvard's Program on Negotiation is committed to improving the theory and practise of negotiation.  The goal of the Program on Negotiation's PON Global Course is to bring their best thinking, research and expertise to people around the world who want to improve their ability to negotiate.

I attended the PON Global Course, hosted by Maynooth University, Ireland in December 2017 and was impressed by the content and structure of the course.  The content was combined with practical exercises, which helped us practise, and reinforced, what we were learning.

The course included strategies for making first offers and setting anchors, learning necessary skills to deal with difficult tactics and hard bargainers, the use of BATNA and ZOPA, and creating more value at the table.

As a mediator, and also as a dispute resolution solicitor, I found that the course complemented my experience and training especially well.

Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Harvard 

 

Harvard's Program on Negotion

November 29, 2017
It's only 7 days until I commence Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation!!!

Harvard have been offering the executive education program for more than 30 years.  As an experienced mediator, and also as a practising dispute resolution solicitor, I'm hoping that the course will provide an advanced, international perspective on these essential skills.
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Harvard 

 

Online Mediation

October 22, 2017
Online mediation is very similar to face to face mediation but the meetings take place over webcams on a computer, tablet or even a smartphone, rather than in the same room.

Online mediation may be preferred if:
  • The parties does not liver near to each other, or indeed, if they are in different countries;
  • The parties do not live near to a mediator;
  • The parties wish to save time travelling to the mediator; 
  • A party considers that they would be at risk of harm if they were in the same room as the oth...

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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : ODR 

 

Causes of disagreements at work

August 28, 2017
Common causes of disagreements at work include:
  • Unclear job roles
  • Insufficient training
  • Poor management
  • Poor communications
  • Poor work environment
  • Unfair treatment
  • Bullying and harassment
  • Lack of equal opportunities
ACAS identified the above factors in 'Managing Conflict at Work'.  Some of these issues can by the direct cause of the conflict, for instance discrimination and bullying may be the direct causes in themselves.  Sometimes however the causes of conflict may suddenly flare-up after remaining d...

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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Causes of conflict at work 

 

Mediation of probate, wills and inheritance disputes in London

August 28, 2017
Many different types of dispute can arise out of a deceased's estate.  These can include disputes concerning:
  1. Lack of testamentary capacity;
  2. Lack of due execution;
  3. Undue influence;
  4. Construction or interpretation of a Will;
  5. A failure to make adequate financial provision (pursued under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975); and
  6. Disputes during the administration of estates.
Mediation is ideally suited to resolving such probate, wills and inheritance disputes in London.  Famil...

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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Probate mediation London 

 

Mediation of Probate Disputes in London

August 26, 2017
Many different types of contentious probate disputes can arise.  These can include disputes concerning:
  • A failure to make adequate financial provision (pursued under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975);
  • Lack of testamentary capacity;
  • Lack of knowledge and approval;
  • Lack of due execution;
  • Undue influence;
  • Fraud and forgery;
  • Revocation;
  • Construction or interpretation of a Will; and
  • Disputes during the administration of estates.
Mediation is ideally suited to resolving contenti...

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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Probate mediation London 

 

What is 'Commercial Reality'?

August 20, 2017
As a civil and commercial reality, and also as a dispute resolution solicitor, I often discuss the phrase 'the commercial reality' with users of mediation and my legal clients.  When emotions run high, asking a party about the commercial reality can often bring their focus back onto settlement, as they consider the inherent risks of litigation, and the costs of wasted energy, anxiety, time and money.
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Commercial Reality 

 

Getting Past No

August 13, 2017
"Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way" - Daniele Vare, Italian diplomat.

So starts William Ury's book 'Getting Past No', the sequel to the bestseller, 'Getting to Yes'.

'Getting Past No' addresses the thorny aspect of dealing with people who won't deal.  It is a useful book for mediators, negotiators, dispute resolution lawyers and parties involved in litigation.  Ury sets out a 5-step approach to change the game from face-to-face confrontation to side-by-side problem-solv...
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Getting past no 

 

Workplace Mediation in Bicester

July 16, 2017
Workplace disputes can frequently be extremely damaging to an employer, with disputes often escalating quickly, and typically leading to lower morale, lower productivity, higher staff turnover and employment tribunal claims.

Workplace mediation is a voluntary process, usually arranged by the employer, where two or more employees agree to attend a meeting with an impartial mediator.  The mediator works with the employees in helping them to negotiate their own resolution and create an agreed way...
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Workplace Mediations in Bicester 

 

Decision Trees in Mediation

July 16, 2017
Decision trees can be used in mediations as a method of analysing the risks and quantum of a case.  

For instance, in a tripping personal injury case, where the Claimant is suing for £100,000, a simple version of a decision tree may consider:

1. How likely is it that the Judge will find that the Claimant tripped over a dangerous defect in the highway?  Perhaps 90%

2. Did the Defendant do what it reasonably could to prevent the danger, particularly having regard to Section 58 Highways Act 1980? ...
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Posted by Stephen Wood. Posted In : Decision Trees 

 
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About Me


Stephen Wood is an ADR Group Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator, an ADR Group Accredited Workplace Mediator, an ADR Group Accredited Online Mediator and a Consultant Litigation Solicitor. In 2017 Stephen was appointed to the Panel of Chairs of the Valuation Tribunal of England. Stephen has undertaken over 90 paid mediations.