Resources - Core Solutions

Core Documents:

To help our clients through the mediation process, we have produced a number of documents with guides and suggestions.

Core’s Terms of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Mediators
Core’s Policy on Mediation using Zoom
Outline Agreement to Mediate
Outline Agreement to Mediate for use when mediating via the Zoom platform
Outline Resolution Agreement
Draft Mediation Clause | Dispute Resolution Clause
Organising the Venue
About Mediation: A Guide for Parties Considering and Preparing for Mediation
The Mediator’s Log: Read the story of a mediation from the mediator’s perspective, following a day in the life of a mediator from beginning to end.
Core’s 10 year anniversary book, Thinking Differently: Making a Difference Using Mediation, features inspiring reflections from a number of our course alumni on the way mediation can change how we do things. You can download it here.

Core Videos:

The Mediation Process – John Sturrock, chief executive of Core Solutions, explains the mediation process.
Using Zoom for Mediation – short commentary by John Sturrock
The Benefits of Mediation for Clients – Find out how mediation works for the client.
How Mediation Benefits Lawyers – Learn what opportunities there are for lawyers to be involved.
Demonstration of an early joint meeting – This is an example of one way a mediator might encourage parties in mediation to meet with each other at an early stage. Filmed in Athens, September 2018.
Singapore International Mediation Centre – John Sturrock in conversation about mediation and his approach as a mediator, with the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Centre.
Negotiation – an introduction – John Sturrock describes on video what he has learned about how to be an effective negotiator; referring also to our podcast series.
Mediation – an introduction – John Sturrock, October 2020
Respectful Dialogue – Watch John’s Tedx Talk on Respectful Dialogue, given in light of the Scottish Referendum.
The NHS: Better Conversations and Better Relationships? – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow: John Sturrock and David Wylie, in conversation, June 2020
Climate Change and the Pandemic: A Call to Consciousness and Collaboration – A Conversation between Alastair McIntosh and Ken Cloke, hosted by John Sturrock, 6 May 2020.
Breakthrough or Breakdown? Visions for a Different Future – A Conversation between Scilla Elworthy, Liz Rivers and Jo Berry, hosted by John Sturrock, 8 July 2020.
The UK Constitution and its Future: What needs to happen now? – A Conversation between David Melding and Andrew Wilson, hosted by John Sturrock, 19 November 2020.
Ken Cloke: Conversations in Edinburgh – On a Saturday morning in Edinburgh in September 2017, Ken Cloke, one of the leading writers and thinkers in the field of conflict, joined with the founder and senior mediator of Core Solutions (and founder of Collaborative Scotland), John Sturrock, for a conversation about conflict, why it happens and how we all deal with it.
World famous negotiator and author William Ury gave a Master Class at the Hub in Edinburgh in May 2018, view the highlights here:
Video 1: How we can negotiate “from the perspective of the balcony” and how to identify and focus on the BATNA?
Video 2: Getting to Yes with other parties in a negotiation and “building a golden bridge”.
Video 3: Informal discussion about a range of topics, including international issues from Brexit to North Korea.
Master Class with William Ury – On 4 September 2014, John Sturrock interviews William Ury, world famous negotiator and author, on the negotiation revolution, dialogue and the value of third-siders leading up to the Scottish Referendum.

Articles and Newsletters:

Click through to John Sturrock’s blog
March 2023: Really listening is the truly radical action the new First Minister should adopt, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 27 March 2023
March 2023: Sturgeon’s successor must offer an olive branch to UK parliament, John Sturrock’s article published in The Times, 1 March 2023
January 2023: Negotiators must really listen if we are to find a way through this wave of strikes, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 30 January 2023
January 2023: It takes empathy to break the cycle of fear around bullying, John Sturrock’s article published in The Times, 26 January 2023
November 2022: Could the legal profession contribute more to Scottish society?, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 28 November 2022
September 2022: What is the point in public inquiries?, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 26 September 2022
September 2022: Ruling out Peace Talks with Russia could be a Mistake, John Sturrock’s article published in The Times, 22 September 2022
August 2022: Scottish NHS can lead on leadership, article jointly authored by John Sturrock and Sir Ewan Brown in The Times, 2 August 2022
August 2022: Tiny margins make all the difference, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 1 August 2022
July 2022: Argument, Dialogue, Compassion – and Mediation, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 July 2022
July 2022: Scottish Independence ‘debate’ requires empathy and imagination if it is not to descend into verbal combat, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 8 July 2022
June 2022: Reflections on the Mediators’ Green Pledge: Where Are We Now?, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 June 2022
May 2022: Reflections on mediation in practice and bringing parties together, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 May 2022.
May 2022: A more holistic approach to disputes emphasises value of negotiation and settlement, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 23 May 2022.
April 2022: Dear President Putin…a thought experiment, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 April 2022
April 2022: CalMac ferries contract and mediation: Did personal animosity between key players cost taxpayer a fortune?, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 23 April 2022
March 2022: Core News
March 2022: Transforming Dispute Resolution in Scotland, John Sturrock’s paper published on Reform Scotland, 9 March 2022
February 2022: The Situation in Ukraine – what role for mediation?, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 February 2022
February 2022: ‘Edinburgh Conversations’ helped warm East-West relations during the Cold War. Who will be today’s peacemakers?, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman, 23 February 2022
February 2022: Warm, respectful talks may thaw the threat of Kremlin, John Sturrock’s article published in The Times, 9 February 2022
January 2022: Mediating Inter-Governmental Relations in the UK, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 January 2022
December 2021: Holding On or Letting Go?, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 December 2021. The blog was also published in shorter form in The Scotsman on 27 December 2021
December 2021: Festive Core News 2021
November 2021: Video sessions help deliver positive outcomes in bitter disputes, an article by Victoria Masterson, featuring John Sturrock, published in Insider, October 2021
October 2021: Legal league tables: recognition of achievement or a cavalcade of clever marketing?, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 25 October 2021
August 2021: Time to regain momentum on the benefits of mediation, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 23 August 2021
August 2021: Scotland Covid inquiry has its own questions to answer, a modified version of this blog from John Sturrock appeared in The Times on 2 August 2021
July 2021: Reflecting on the Cardinal Virtues and the Liberal Arts, John Sturrock’s article published on Kluwer Mediation Blog, 28 July 2021
July 2021: Ditch the fear factor in our healthcare system and get to grips with compassion, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 5 July 2021
June 2021: Better Conversations, Better Outcomes: Love over Fear in Health Care, John Sturrock’s address to Humanising Healthcare Leadership Forum, May 2021
June 2021: Core News
June 2021: We’re all erisologists and humanomicists now!, Charlie Woods’ blog on Kluwer, 8 June 2021
May 2021: Civil justice system must lead by example on climate change, John Sturrock’s article published in The Scotsman, 10 May 2021
April 2021: Core News
April 2021: Just when you thought it couldn’t get any WEIRDer, Charlie Woods’ blog on Kluwer, 8 April 2021
April 2021: We and our politics must learn to deal with shades of grey, John Sturrock’s article, a version of which was published in The Times on 6 April 2021
March 2021: I’ll See You on the Dark Side of the Moon: Reflecting on Rapport, Trauma, and Resonance in Mediation, John Sturrock’s blog published on Kluwer Mediation Blog (28 March 2021)
March 2021: Core News
March 2021: This may be the moment for mediation in difficult political and judicial decisions, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
February 2021: Fear cannot be the driver, John Sturrock
February 2021: Falling Upward in the Pandemic, John Sturrock
February 2021: Culture eats strategy for breakfast – the value of trust, Charlie Woods’ blog on Kluwer, 8 Feb 2021
February 2021: The Costs of Litigating, John Sturrock’s article, a version of which appeared in Scottish Legal News on Wednesday 3 February 2021
January 2021: Changing the Frame: Some challenging issues for promoting mediation, John’s article on Anna Howard’s new book, published by Kluwer Mediation Blog on 28 January 2021
January 2021: Core marks 20 years with interview event, published by the Law Society of Scotland, 20 January 2021
January 2021: Core at Twenty…., John Sturrock’s reflections on Core Solutions reaching 20 years in business, published in Scotland on Sunday (17 January 2021)
January 2021: Core News
January 2021: Some Questions at the Turn of the Year…, read John Sturrock’s blog on Kluwer (28 December 2020); a version also published in The Scotsman (4 January 2021)
December 2020: Festive Core News – Supplement
December 2020: Festive Core News
December 2020: Please don’t let me be misunderstood, read Charlie Woods’ blog on Kluwer, 8 Dec 2020
November 2020: Recognising Trauma: Litigation and Policitics are Harming Us, read John Sturrock’s blog on Kluwer, 28 November 2020
November 2020: Reflections on the US Election, read John Sturrock’s blog
October 2020: Mediators’ Green pledge will form foundation of sector’s response to climate change, read John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman, 29 October 2020
October 2020: Core News: Upcoming Event – 19 November
October 2020: Core News: October 2020
October 2020: It ain’t what you do…, read Charlie Woods’ blog on Kluwer, 8 October 2020
September 2020: Reflecting on Purpose, read John Sturrock’s article in Kluwer
September 2020: Westminster needs to brush up on the art of negotiation, read John Sturrock’s article in The Times
September 2020: Core News: September 2020
September 2020: They Said It Couldn’t Be Done, read John Sturrock’s article about Core’s online Summer School
August 2020: A change is gonna come, Charlie Woods’ article in Kluwer
August 2020: Core News – Core’s Summer School, 2 spaces available!
July 2020: How SPFL dispute could have avoided going to court, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
July 2020: Legal action can be costly, but there are alternatives, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
July 2020: Core News: July 2020
July 2020: The NHS: Better Conversations and Better Relationships? An interview with John Sturrock by RCPSG
July 2020: Why workplace mediation is so important, Louise Dunlop’s blog
June 2020: Seven Keys to Unlock Mediation’s Golden Age, John Sturrock’s contribution to articles on Mediate.com
June 2020: Mediation and Juicing – Parallel Worlds?, John Sturrock’s article in Kluwer
June 2020: Reimagining the Law, John Sturrock’s contribution to a project of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law
June2020: You can’t always get what you want, Charlie Woods’ article in Kluwer
June 2020: Seven Keys to Unlock Mediation’s Golden Age, The Introduction. Contributions by John Sturrock, published by Mediate.com
June 2020: Core News: June 2020
June 2020: Core News Extra: June 2020
May 2020: Mediations, using Zoom – a revelation? John Sturrock’s article in Kluwer
May 2020: Abraham Lincoln sought compromise. So should we . John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
May 2020: Core Newsletter: May 2020
April 2020: Core Newsletter: Upcoming Events, April and May 2020
April 2020 – Core Newsletter: Special Edition
March 2020 – Communication more important than ever, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
March 2020 – The only thing which will redeem mankind is cooperation, John Sturrock’s article in Kluwer
March 2020 – How mediation can help family businesses avoid the courts to solve disputes, a thoughtful article published in The Scotsman on 26th March 2020
March 2020 – Core Newsletter
February 2020 – Core Newsletter
February 2020 – Can lawyers do their jobs and still act with ‘kindness’?, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
December 2019 – Core Newsletter
December 2019 – Belief in excellence will take you far, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
December 2019 – Civility in politics should not be too much to hope for, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
November 2019 – Core Newsletter
November 2019 – Briefing: Mainstream for Mediation, The Scotsman’s Scottish Legal Review
October 2019 – It takes just one moment to change, for good or bad, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
July 2019 – Mediation’s a bit like riding a new kind of bike, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
July 2019 – A Negotiation Emergency? – John Sturrock’s article on Mediate.com
July 2019 – Neil Armstrong called it on information overload, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
July 2019 – Still set on making mediation mainstream, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
July 2019 – Mediation: A Look Back and a Look Ahead, John Sturrock’s article in the 500th Edition of the SCOLAG Journal p121 & p 127
July 2019 – Special Core News: Bringing Mediation into the Mainstream
June 2019 – Bringing Mediation into the Mainstream in Civil Justice in Scotland, a report published by Scottish Mediation (the product of an expert group co-chaired by John Sturrock) proposing a coordinated strategy for ‘normalising’ the use of mediation in the civil justice system in Scotland.
June 2019 – Mediation in a Changing Climate? – From Consensus to Confrontation?, John Sturrock’s article on Mediate.com and his address to the Centre for International Legal Studies in Salzburg
June 2019 – Summer Core Newsletter
June 2019 – Our leaders need empathy to solve the Brexit puzzle, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
June 2019 – Identity is a part of humanity that may threaten our future, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
May 2019 – 1000 Days of Mediation, article in the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland
April 2019 – Core Newsletter
April 2019 – Moving to mediation makes for earlier resolution, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
March 2019 – Core Newsletter
February 2019 – Knowing how to negotiate is an essential life skill, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
December 2018 – How well do you perform in making Scotland a better place to live?, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
December 2018 – Core Newsletter
October 2018 – Mediation: A New Enlightenment or Damp Squib? The text from John Sturrock’s lecture as guest speaker at Scottish Mediation’s AGM
October 2018 – A Universal Declaration of Interdependence is Needed, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
October 2018 – Brexit will put up barriers the EU was made to pull down, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
October 2018 – Core Newsletter
September 2018 – Diaries shed personal and professional light on Law Lord, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
August 2018 – Embodied Conflict by Tim Hicks a book review by John Sturrock in collaborate, the newsletter of Scottish Mediation
August 2018 – Brexit negotiations have been hobbled by lack of maturity, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
August 2018 – In mediation a binary view is just too basic, John Sturrock’s article in The Resolver, the quarterly magazine of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
August 2018 – Time to make more of resolution option, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
July 2018 – To Understand Trump, Study his Mother’s Trauma, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
June 2018 – Core Newsletter
June 2018 – Ensuring ‘jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war’, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
June 2018 – The uncertainties of the past will no longer afford security in the future, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
May 2018 – The Edinburgh Declaration of International Mediators
May 2018 – Core Newsletter
May 2018 – Scotland ready to reprise role in thawing Cold War, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
April 2018 – Nelson Mandela, master of mediation, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
April 2018 – Core Newsletter
April 2018 – ‘Life is one big negotiation, after all’: How I got my job as a world-class mediator, Interview with John Sturrock in The Journal
March 2018 – Conflict theory: it works, John MacKenzie’s article in the Journal of Law Society of Scotland, based on his experience at the Day of Storytelling Event with Ken Cloke and John Sturrock
March 2018 – Core Newsletter
March 2018 – Are you your own worst enemy? Think about it, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
January 2018 – Don’t let self-doubt hold you back, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
January 2018 – The abuse of power must be understood, not just condemned, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
December 2017 – Festive Core Newsletter
November 2017 – On the road to solutions that work for all, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
November 2017 – Core Newsletter
November 2017 – Mediation Briefing in the Scotsman Legal Review
August 2017 – Meet in the middle to settle differences, John Sturrock’s article in The Scotsman
August 2017 – Bolt and Brexit teach us that the world is an imperfect place, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
July 2017 – Taking Risks? Taking Responsibility…, John Sturrock’s article in Issue 5 of the UK Mediation Journal
June 2017 – Mediating between Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, John Sturrock’s article in the Scotsman
June 2017 – Summer Core News
June 2017 – Taking a hard line can only lead to harder battles, John Sturrock’s piece in The Times
May 2017 – Core Newsletter
May 2017 – Fight of flight deeply rooted in our ways, John Sturrock’s piece in the Scotsman
April 2017 – Core Newsletter
March 2017 – Understanding the other side’s position, John Sturrock’s article in the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland.
March 2017 – The time round we can all behave with more dignity, John Sturrock’s article in The Times
March 2017 – Core Newsletter
March 2017 – Press Notice
February 2017 – Working together achieves better results, John Sturrock’s piece in the Scotsman
February 2017 – Challenging Assumptions, John’s article in the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland
January 2017 – Core Newsletter
January 2017 – Alternative routes to effective solutions, John Sturrock’s piece in the Scotsman
December 2016 – Core Newsletter
November 2016 – No matter what, it’s always good to talk, John Sturrock’s piece in the Scotsman
September 2016 – Core Newsletter
August 2016 – The pressure is on to re-train our brains, John Sturrock’s piece in the Scotsman
July 2016 – Why everyone needs to feel like a winnder in the Brexit negotiations, John Sturrock’s piece in the Herald
June 2016 – Nip it in the Bud, John Sturrock’s piece in the UK Mediation Journal (pages 11 & 12)
June 2016 – Core Newsletter
May 2016 – Expert Accountants in Mediation – Read an excerpt of the Mediator’s Log in CA Magazine.
March 2016 – Finding and adding value through mediation, John Sturrock’s piece in the Scottish Legal News Annual Review 2016
March 2016 – Read the final chapter of The Mediator’s Log in the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland
March 2016 – Core Newsletter
February 2016 – Core Newsletter
January 2016 – Core Newsletter
January 2016 – There is a compelling case for our politicians to find compelling ground, John Sturrock writes in The Herald
December 2015 – Core Newsletter
November 2015 – Core Newsletter
November 2015 – How you can triumph in the race of life, John Sturrock writes in The Scotsman
September 2015 – Core Newsletter
August 2015 – How to have a civilised debate on civic nationalism and scaremongering, Core’s Festival Fringe events feature in The Herald
July 2015 – New Zealand Law News speaks to John Sturrock about dispute resolution
July 2015 – Press Release John Sturrock gives key note address at New Zealand conference
June 2015 – In An Interdependent World There is No Them and Us, Only Us, John Sturrock writes in The Herald
June 2015 – Core Newsletter
June 2015 – Making the Best of Mediation: What marks out lawyers who do really well for clients in mediation? Core features in the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland.
May 2015 – Core Newsletter
May 2015 – Press Release: Core’s Response to Call for Evidence by the Justice Committee on the Apologies (Scotland) Bill
April 2015 – New Routes to Resolution Emerge, John Sturrock features in Business Insider Magazine
March 2015 – Core Newsletter
February 2015 – Policy Piece: Making Better Use of Mediation to Resolve Disputes and Manage Difficult Issues, published in Justice Matters: Essays on Improving Scotland’s Justice System
February 2015 – The Dispute Resolvers, John Sturrock’s interview with the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland on the role of in-house lawyers.
January 2015 – Core Newsletter
January 2015 – Communication is key to solutions, John Sturrock’s latest article in The Scotsman.
December 2014 – Core Newsletter
November 2014 – Press Release Scottish mediator flies the flag in Singapore: Core’s founder and senior mediator, John Sturrock, participated in the launch of the Singapore International Mediation Centre.
November 2014 – Core Newsletter
October 2014 – Read Core and Collaborative Scotland’s Joint Submission to the Smith Commission, in which we say that new approaches to process and decision-making are likely to be as important as new approaches to substantive constitutional arrangements.
October 2014 – Core Newsletter
October 2014 – Press Release Core Solutions calls for greater use of mediation to ease court pressures.
September 2014 – Watch John’s Tedx Talk on Respectful Dialogue, given in light of the Scottish Referendum.
September 2014 – Referendum Newsletter
September 2014 – The Referendum: Respect and Reconciliation – Collaborative Scotland’s website has all the audio recordings from it’s highly successful Day of Dialogue.
September 2014 – Black and white…or shades of grey? John Sturrock’s article in Perspectives magazine about the framing of the referendum question.
August 2014 – The Scotsman featured John Sturrock’s article presenting Collaborative Scotland’s upcoming event, Day of Dialogue.
August 2014 – Core Newsletter
June 2014 – Read John Sturrock’s article in The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland, where The Mediator’s Log first debuted.
June 2014 – Core Newsletter
April 2014 – Core Newsletter
The Walk from ‘No’ to ‘Yes’ – a super 20 minute TED presentation on The Third Side and the Middle East peace process by our friend and inspiration, William Ury.
International Bar Association Mediation Techniques e-Book – a practical collection of tips from and for practising mediators of different styles.
Civil and Commercial Mediation – a Scottish Perspective – John Sturrock’s address to the Civil Mediation Council National Conference in May 2009.

Core Documents:

Core Videos:

Articles and Newsletters:

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