International Mediation Developments – January 2014

This is another in a series of updates on international mediation developments by Mediate.com News Editor, Keith Seat.

The E.U.’s Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) offers mediation for disputes involving trademarks and designs in which OHIM decisions are being appealed.  Lexology (December 2, 2013); OHIM Mediation

Mediation can be requested by parents or staff members over a child’s course of treatment at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, which is a new project of the Medical Mediation Foundation in the U.K.  FierceHealthcare (December 10, 2013)

Homeowners having difficulty making mortgage payments in Ireland to AIB Group can obtain free mediation services from independent advisors who are part of the Irish Mortgage Holders Organization.  Irish Times (November 4, 2013)

A taskforce is being established by the government in Scotland to mediate disputes among fishermen competing in the same area of the sea over vandalism of fishing gear and other issues.  Herald Scotland (November 16, 2013)

With the government of South Africa preparing for court-annexed mediation, groups of internationally-accredited commercial mediators are being developed for “built environment” (including construction and real estate) disputes.  eProp (November 12, 2013)

Saudi Arabia has established a mediation panel to address the large number of disputes between domestic workers and employers, but if the parties cannot reach agreement the panel will render a verdict.  Arabian Business (December 16, 2013)

The Lahore (Pakistan) Chamber of Commerce and Industry is promoting mediation to resolve commercial disputes and improve the environment for investment and business activities.  Business Recorder (November 1, 2013).

Singapore is moving toward becoming a dispute resolution hub in Asia with a proposal to create a Singapore International Mediation Centre recommended by the International Commercial Mediation Working Group.  glassBYTEs (December 4, 2013)

A mediation bureau to address increasing numbers of medical malpractice claims is being established by the Malaysian Medical Association and the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia.  The Star Online (November 17, 2013)

The non-profit LEADR NZ has taken the final steps to establish an integrated LEADR with over 2,600 members in Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific.  Scoop Independent News (November 13, 2013)

A mediation center has been launched to minimize workplace conflict by the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. (Petrotrin) in a landmark achievement in collaboration with three bargaining units.  Trinidad Guardian (November 21, 2013)

                       

Keith Seat

Keith L. Seat is a full-time mediator and arbitrator who can effectively assist parties in resolving a wide range of telecommunications, antitrust and other commercial disputes. With over twenty years of legal experience as a mediator, arbitrator, litigator, advocate before executive branch agencies, and key staffer in the legislative and… MORE >