ACCREDITED MEDIATOR TRAINING 2012 - for voluntary and court-referred processes
The Rules Board recently published Mediation Rules, which according to the Department of Justice, will be implemented on a pilot basis early in 2012. The Rules provide the following with regard to the qualification and appointment of mediators under the scheme:
12. Qualification and appointment of Mediators
(1) The qualification and standards of fitness of Mediators to conduct mediation referred to in these rules must be determined by the Minister.
(2) The Minister may periodically appoint mediators to serve on a Panel from which mediators may be selected to execute the functions and objectives described in these rules.
It is expected that the Mediation Rules will be finalized soon and that the pilot project will commence by July 2012.
Whether parties use mediation voluntarily or as a result of a court-referral they will want mediators who are well trained and accredited. If you want to become an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator, there’s only one training course in the country that can offer you that qualification: the course conducted by Conflict Dynamics in association with University of Stellenbosch Business School’s Africa Centre for Dispute Settlement.
Accreditation on this course is issued jointly by Conflict Dynamics and the Africa Centre for Dispute Settlement at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Successful candidates may use the title ‘CD / ACDS accredited mediator’. This accreditation is recognised by the major mediator provider panels in South Africa.
Conflict Dynamics has also applied to the Dispute Settlement Accreditation Council for the Commercial Mediator Skills Course to be accredited. One of the main aims of DiSAC is to maintain and publish a national register of accredited service-providers, accredited dispute settlement practitioners, trainers, programmes and assessors in South Africa.
Successful candidates will also soon be able to earn credits on the NQF in relation to unit standard 117848 - "Conduct mediation in situations that require advanced skills", as the course is currently being evaluated by the Services Seta and the Public Service Sector SETA.
African mediators to world class standards
The Conflict Dynamics Mediator Skills Course is also recognised by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in the United Kingdom (CEDR) as a basis for mediator accreditation with CEDR. Candidates may apply for CEDR assessment and accreditation at an additional fee. For more about CEDR see www.cedr.com
More than 180 mediators have been accredited by Conflict Dynamics working in association with the ACDS and CEDR. Click here to view the names of some of these mediators.
The course takes place over 5 full days and is facilitated by experienced internationally accredited commercial mediators, including John Brand, Felicity Steadman and Barney Jordaan. For further information on the faculty members click here and here. Coaches and assessors on the course are all accredited mediators with many years experience as mediators. They include Gina Barbieri, Patrick Deale, Charles Nupen, Mahamed Rajah, Zarina Kellerman, Kamlesh Ker and John O'Leary.
This is a unique and potentially life-changing opportunity. Places are limited to between 18 and 24 delegates, so apply as soon as possible and make a difference in your world.
Dates: Cape Town - USBS Belville Park Campus: 4 - 8 June 2012
Johannesburg - Sandton: 20 - 24 August 2012
Johannesburg - Sandton: 26 - 30 November 2012
Cost of 5 day course with ACDS accreditation: R21 500 (plus VAT)
This fee includes course tuition and assessment, the course workbook, refreshments and meals, but excludes the pre-course work. The pre-course work is sent electronically to delegates two weeks before the course commences and it may also be submitted electronically.
Cost of independent CEDR accreditation: R7 000 (VAT exempt)
For more information or to register call Ann Schorr at Conflict Dynamics on 011-669-9578 or e-mail info@conflictdynamics.co.za