For those wishing to go on
the Register of Qualified Dispute Resolvers
The official two day
assessment is the vehicle for entrance to the Register of Qualified
Dispute Resolvers of the Faculty of Mediation & ADR of The Academy of
Experts.
With admission to the register comes Accredited Mediator status and
the post nominal QDR.
The assessment process is spread over a two day period during which
time there will be participation in at least six role play assessments
– with at least two as mediator.
Assessment during this Module will consist of role play sessions of
up to one hundred and twenty minutes, with the candidate taking the
part of mediator. Assessment is an independent process and none of the
assessors will have tutored any of the candidates.
Assessment Procedure
Overview
Candidates must demonstrate understanding of the material learned in
Modules 1 to 5 and general competence and ability as a mediator. They
are required to demonstrate knowledge of and skill in utilising the
techniques of mediation including listening and exploration of the
matters in dispute.
In particular the assessors will have regard to the candidates’:
-
management of the opening phase of the mediation, including
delivery and content of their opening statements, control and use or
parties’ opening statements, and awareness of the relationships
between the parties;
-
ability to identify, understand and clearly summarise the
parties’ positions in the dispute;
-
ability to lead the negotiation phase of the mediation,
including applying appropriate skills to explore issues, elicit
needs and interest, manage caucuses, initiate option generation,
reality test and maintain momentum;
-
management of the agreement phase of the mediation, bringing the
parties to the final detail of their agreement and assisting them to
reach agreement and – if appropriate – drafting an appropriate
settlement document.
NOTE: For completion of a satisfactory assessment it is not
necessary for the mediation necessarily to reach a settlement, and
candidates will not be disadvantaged if time does not allow them to
reach or complete the settlement stage.
Assessors will have regard to: the mediators’ general demeanour
towards the parties, including suitability of dress and language for a
commercial dispute, ability to instil confidence in the parties,
control of the proceedings, maintenance of appropriate confidentiality
between parties, perceived neutrality and lack of overt value
judgement, and general likelihood of arriving at a settlement.
Assessment procedure
There will be two assessors – both experienced mediators and assessors
– observing each role play session. Please note that the assessors
endeavour to make themselves as unobtrusive as possible – just because
you cannot see them does not mean that they are not listening to you.
During your role play, behaviour towards the “parties” outside of the
mediation room will be assessed as part of your performance.
There is no “pass-mark”. Assessors are seeking demonstration
throughout the session of general competence and sensitivity in the
mediation process. A single critical mistake which has the potential
of jeopardising the success of a mediation will, in an otherwise
adequate performance, produce an assessment of “unsatisfactory”.
How is achievement recognised?
The assessors’ recommendations are passed to an assessment committee
consisting of at least three people. Successful candidates are
eligible to apply for entry on The Academy’s Register of Qualified
Dispute Resolvers as a Mediator. This will include completion of the
appropriate application form and the provision of suitable referees.
Candidates’ submitted case study may also be taken into account, as
may - where the assessment committee deems it helpful - tutors’
comments on candidates’ previous course work performance or
candidates’ demonstration of the their understanding of the mediation
process while role-playing “parties”.
Candidates will receive written feedback covering the areas of
competence where their performance needs improvement. Unsuccessful
participants will be advised as to which areas of performance or
knowledge they need to address before presenting for further
evaluation. Any additional learning requirements will be identified to
such candidates.
The decision of the assessment committee will normally be final. In
exceptional cases a candidate may request a review of the decision.
The review committee will be chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of
Mediation and ADR, who may take into consideration any matter he sees
fit. There will be no further appeal from the decision of the review
committee.
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