Disputes can often lead to the breakdown of personal and professional relationships, with the harm sustained by the parties involved having a knock-on effect on projects. That is why the skills of avoiding, managing and resolving disputes are so valuable. Mediation, for example, draws upon a number of skills, including: ‘people skills’ and building trusting relationships; ‘process skills’ in identifying key issues; and ‘management skills’ in fostering environments that provide people with the best opportunities for reaching settlements. Such ADR techniques save both time and cost, protecting relationships and enabling important projects to stay on course.
ADR techniques can be important for all disciplines and CIArb has been working closely with educational institutions and students for many years. It has partnered with universities in developing accredited programmes and courses, and has recognised already established courses at educational institutions, so that successful completion of those programmes exempts students from having to undertake CIArb training in order to apply for CIArb membership. CIArb also provides free student membership to undergraduates
