Civil Mediation Council

17/06/2026

The debate over whether parties can be compelled to mediate is over. The real question now is how the courts are using their powers and what happens when parties fail to cooperate.

At the CMC Conference 2026, Robin Somerville, barrister, accredited mediator and fee-paid civil judge, will explore the key judicial developments since Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil, examining the cases shaping the boundaries of court ordered mediation and redefining expectations around participation in ADR. Drawing on experience spanning more than 1,000 disputes, Robin will analyse the latest authorities, discuss emerging trends, and consider the particular question of timing: if the court is going to order mediation, what factors will be influential in identifying the best window for resolution?

Designed for lawyers, mediators and dispute resolution professionals, this session offers a clear and practical guide to one of the most significant developments in civil justice in recent years.

Learn more about the CMC Conference 2026 "Making Mediation Mainstream" taking place 7 & 8 October 2026 and book your ticket: https://civilmediation.org/conference-2026/

15/06/2026

AI is already in the mediation room. The question is how we respond to it.

In a new article for the CMC blog, mediator Burns shares an account of AI appearing uninvited in a recent mediation, and what it meant for the conversation, confidentiality and trust. It is a thoughtful and timely read for anyone working in the field.

As part of its work to develop guidance on AI in mediation, the CMC Mediation Standards Board has launched a short survey to gather views from mediators, mediation users and anyone with an interest in the future of dispute resolution. We would welcome your response. The survey closes on Friday, 17 July 2026.

The topic will also be explored at a dedicated panel at the CMC Conference ‘Making Mediation Mainstream' on 7 and 8 October 2026.

Read the article: https://civilmediation.org/ai-in-mediation-julia-burns-cmc-survey/
Complete the survey: https://eu.jotform.com/form/260605022469049
Book your conference ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983458711399

12/06/2026

"These are skills they will carry with them for the rest of their lives," says Dave Walker of Calm Mediation, as he and Mel Bruce train a group of young peer mediators at Exning Primary School, set up by teacher and former peer mediator Kezia Herzog.

What happens when you give young people the skills to resolve conflict themselves?

This short film follows peer mediation training at Exning Primary School, where a group of Year 5 students are learning to listen, empathise and help their peers navigate disagreements. These students are taking on a role that will make a real difference to their school community.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZrTGh_QoQY

Learning to manage conflict at an early age is a life skill that supports future relationships and cohesive communities, and it is at the heart of the CMC report 'Resolving Conflict in Schools: Peer mediation as a foundation for happier healthier futures.'

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10/06/2026

Mediation plays an important role in many litigated disputes, yet the approach it calls for is meaningfully different from what barristers are trained to do in court.

In a new guide, barrister and mediator Laura Tweedy sets out twelve practical tips for counsel preparing for mediation. From understanding the mediator's role and preparing clients thoroughly, to managing the day itself and knowing when to pause and reconvene. It is a timely read for any lawyer looking to navigate mediation with greater clarity and confidence.

Read the article: https://civilmediation.org/how-to-prepare-for-mediation-as-counsel/

08/06/2026

Employment dispute resolution in the UK is at a turning point. Legislative reform, evolving workplace expectations and mounting pressure on the tribunal system are converging to create a rare opportunity to rethink how workplace conflict is addressed.

In a new article for the CMC blog, Dionne Dury, Chair of the CMC Workplace & Employment Group, and Liz Kendall, Workplace Mediator and CMC Fellow, set out the case for earlier, more constructive intervention. They examine the latest research and reform proposals, the work of the WEG taskforce, and why the greatest opportunity for change may not just lie in tribunal reform, but much earlier in the lifecycle of workplace conflict.

Read the article: https://civilmediation.org/rewriting-the-rulebook-workplace-dispute-resolution/

05/06/2026

The 10th International Forum 'Mediation and Law' takes place online from 8 to 13 June 2026, and the CMC is pleased to support it as an official information partner.

Now in its tenth year, the Forum is organised by the Українська академія медіації / Ukrainian Academy of Mediation and brings together mediators, lawyers, judges, academics and practitioners from around the world for thematic sessions, discussions and practical workshops on mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Last year's Forum welcomed more than 3,700 registered participants from 96 countries. Participation is free of charge, with simultaneous interpretation in Ukrainian and English.

Learn more and register: https://en.mediation.ua/forum/2026

04/06/2026

Ben Harper, Chair of the CMC Peer Mediation Working Group, is at the National Association of Headteachers Conference (NAHT) in Birmingham today, promoting the outcomes identified in the CMC report 'Resolving Conflict in Schools: Peer mediation as a foundation for happier healthier futures'.

Learning to manage conflict at an early age is a life skill that supports future relationships and cohesive communities.

Thank you Ben for flying the flag for Peer Mediation at this important event for senior leaders in education and to Polly Walker, who will be joining Ben on the stand tomorrow.

With thanks to the CMC Peer Mediation Working Group members helping to promote this work Dave Walker MBE, Mel Bruce, Lisa Owen, Analisa Plehn, Beth Colson, Rob Unwin, Richard Stevens, Felicity Steadman, Michele Wheeler, Leanne Guillen, and Graham Norris.

Read the CMC Peer Mediation Report:https://civilmediation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Resolving-Conflict-in-Schools-%E2%80%93-Nov-2025.pdf

03/06/2026

The CMC is delighted to be contributing to London International Disputes Week 2026, co-hosting two panels today alongside leading practitioners and organisations from across the dispute resolution community.

This morning at Blackstone Chambers, 9-10.30am, Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Henrietta Jackson-Stops, Kevin Nash and Lord Burnett of Maldon will debate whether structural and cultural factors within the arbitral system work against the integration of mediation.

This afternoon at 39 Essex Chambers, 11.30-1pm, Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho joins Sir David Foskett, David Bateson, Bill Marsh and Gillian Carmichael Lemaire to examine what the UK needs to remain a leading centre for dispute resolution

Download the CMC Guide to Mediation at LIDW:https://civilmediation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/The-CMC-Guide-to-Mediation-at-LIDW26.pdf

02/06/2026

Following the decision in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, the courts can now order parties to engage in non-court-based dispute resolution. Mediators are increasingly encountering cases where participation in mediation or other forms of ADR has been directed by the court, raising important questions about how such orders influence party engagement and outcomes.

The next CMC Mediation in Session webinar, organised by the CMC Commercial Mediation Working Group and led by Carolyn Jones, will explore the practical impact of Churchill Orders from the mediator's perspective. Drawing on the experiences of mediators who have conducted mediations in cases subject to these orders, the session will consider how parties approach the process when ADR is no longer entirely voluntary, whether behaviours and attitudes differ, and what this may mean for the future development of mediation practice.

Thursday 11 June, 1-2pm. Free for CMC members, £25 for non-members.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1990780760846

01/06/2026

The next ADR Researchers Network session features two presentations exploring the future of mediation and the role of public engagement in ADR research.

Dr Olagbegi-Oloba Banke will ask whether mediation risks following the trajectory of arbitration, becoming increasingly institutionalised and inaccessible as it professionalises. Naomi Kay, Engagement Manager at the University of Warwick's Institute of Engagement, will offer an introduction to public engagement, exploring how researchers and universities can build meaningful connections with wider communities.

The Network is convened by Professor Jane Bryan and Zora Kizilyurek and brings together academics, practitioners, PhD candidates and researchers at all career stages, from across the UK and internationally, for regular online sessions combining expert presentations and reflective discussion.

Find out more and join the network: https://civilmediation.org/adr-researchers-network/