As the founder and CEO of the Core Solutions Group, I spend a great deal of time thinking and speaking about mediation, negotiation, conflict management, leadership and communication. I am told I should write some of these thoughts down… so, here goes…
The breakthrough in the UK’s relations with the EU over Northern Ireland demonstrates yet again that there is no substitute for conducting negotiations with respect and dignity, building relationships with counterparts, being honest and frank …
“Our problem is there always seems to be someone else to blame. The tram inquiry is about to reach £13m. The other ongoing inquiry into the Pandemic will also cost millions. ... Huge sums of …
The Auditor General’s recent report on the construction of two CalMac ferries identified various failures. One critical aspect was the breakdown of relationships between two of the main protagonists, CMAL, the Scottish Government-owned ferry purchasers, and …
On 9 March 2022 Reform Scotland published a paper by John Sturrock entitled 'Transforming Dispute Resolution in Scotland'...
"Introduction
“I wish we’d had this conversation a year ago.” This remark, or language expressing similar sentiments, is probably …
"What's been going on in recent mediations", asked a colleague. "Any highlights?"
The trouble with doing anything on a regular basis is that you can omit to reflect on the learning from each occasion.
So, for me, …
Recently, we had cause to specify a form of mediation clause for a public sector contract. Here is a revised version of what we agreed. What do readers think?
“Dispute Resolution
22.1.1 The parties must attempt in good …
Lawyers are as susceptible to errors in decision-making, and in giving advice to clients, as lay people, and this has a significant impact on the timing and quality of settlement of disputes. So we are …
The recent death of Professor Roger Fisher of Harvard University, founder of the internationally-renowned Harvard Negotiation Project, has passed relatively unnoticed in this country. But for many of us who work in the field of …
An interesting new Study of Medical Negligence Claiming in Scotland was recently published (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0039/00394437.pdf). Its main findings included:
Patient grievances appear to involve an often complex and overlapping mix of concerns about communication breakdown, poor staff …
The American Bar Association recently reaffirmed the principle of civility as a foundation for democracy and the rule of law. Its Resolution 108 goes on: "When dealing with the public as well as one another, lawyers …