The Forum of Mediation Centres was created in 2001 by the Mediation and Conflict Prevention Commission of the Union Internationale des Avocats. It brings together the most important commercial mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution centres from around the world and offers an occasion to exchange views on the development of ADR and best practices. It is also an occasion for centres to collaborate on specific programmes. The participants will be exploring the all-important topic of training for lawyers in mediation and how that differs from litigation, looking afresh at the combined use of mediation with arbitration in the light of recent developments, considering the continuing influence of the European Union Directive on Mediation and in particular how countries relatively new to mediation have reacted to meet the challenge, including the perhaps controversial use of mandatory mediation. They will hear about the use of creativity in mediation, from new and experienced mediators on how do you establish a successful mediation practice, how mediation is being increasing used in sports disputes, how mediation can be used to resolve disputes between the native population and commercial entities and the very important subject that all Mediation Centres have to grapple with - exactly how do you select suitable mediators for specific cases? The current issue of conflicts of interest and disclosure obligations for arbitrators and mediators, and law firms they belong to, will necessarily be widely discussed at this seminar, especially considering recent cases of conflicts of interest found in several major international arbitrations, a particularly egregious case involving a major Canadian law firm , calling for immediate remedies. The Forum is a two day event (Friday & Saturday, January 27 & 28, 2012). The working language will be English. There will be no simultaneous translation. To register: http://seminaires.uianet.org On-line programme: http://congres.uianet.org For all information, please contact: Jean Reale, jean.reale@acplegal.net