Specialised Mediation Course

The Special Mediation Course is an advanced training programme for mediators who are already familiar with the basic procedure and want to handle complex, multi-party and emotionally charged disputes with confidence. While the general course answers the question of how to conduct a mediation, the special course helps you understand what to do when the procedure does not go to plan: the parties are not ready to listen to each other, several parties with different interests are involved in the dispute, and large sums of money or long-term relationships are at stake.

Who the course is for

The course is designed for practising mediators and professionals who have completed basic training. It is particularly useful for those who:

• have already conducted their first procedures and encountered situations where the basic set of techniques was not enough;
• plan to specialise in family, employment or corporate conflicts;
• want to master the online mediation format and working with electronic documents;
• seek to systematise their experience through supervision and case reviews with colleagues.

To take full part, you need a sound grasp of the basic concepts of mediation: the principles of the procedure, its stages and the core communication techniques. The course does not repeat the general programme but builds on it.

Training objectives and outcomes

On completing the course, you will be able to:

• structure the procedure for disputes involving several parties and their representatives;
• make an informed choice between joint and separate sessions and conduct shuttle mediation;
• recognise deadlocks and apply techniques for breaking them;
• take account of the specific features of family, employment and corporate conflicts when preparing and conducting the procedure;
• organise mediation online while maintaining confidentiality;
• analyse your own practice and work with feedback in a supervision format.

Course syllabus

1. Diagnosing a complex dispute. Analysis of the participants, their positions, interests and resources. Conflict mapping. Assessing the risks and the signs that a procedure requires special preparation or is not possible at all.
2. Multi-party disputes. Working with groups, representatives and decision-makers. Agreeing the rules of the procedure, managing the order of speakers, balancing power.
3. Separate sessions and shuttle mediation. When it is appropriate to separate the parties, how to maintain neutrality and keep information obtained in a separate session confidential, and how to carry proposals between the parties.
4. Family conflicts. The specifics of disputes over children, property and maintenance. High emotional involvement and taking into account the interests of those who do not participate in the procedure directly.
5. Employment and corporate conflicts. Hierarchy, dependence and corporate culture. Disputes between business owners, partners and departments. The role of the parties' lawyers in the procedure.
6. Deadlocks and escalation. "Reality testing" techniques, working with alternatives to agreement, managing pauses and breaks, reopening negotiations.
7. Online mediation and electronic documents. Organising video meetings, confidentiality rules in a digital environment, separate online rooms, formalising agreements using an electronic signature.
8. Supervision and case reviews. Analysis of participants' real situations in anonymised form, identifying professional difficulties and areas for growth.

Teaching methods

The course is built mainly around practical work. The lecture component is kept to the necessary minimum and serves as a basis for the exercises. The methods used include:

• analysis of complex cases with several possible scenarios;
• role-plays involving several parties, representatives and observers;
• procedure simulations alternating joint and separate sessions;
• supervision — a structured review of your own practice under the guidance of an experienced mediator;
• group discussions of the ethical dilemmas that arise in practice.

Practical component

During the course, participants conduct training procedures of increased complexity: a dispute between several business owners, a conflict within a workforce, and a family dispute with a heavy emotional load. Each role-play comes with unexpected "plot twists" introduced by the trainer — this is how you build flexibility and the ability to restructure the procedure on the fly. Some of the exercises are held online so that you can practise the specifics of working remotely.

Participants are advised to prepare one or two anonymised cases from their own practice for review during supervision.

Assessment and certificate of completion

The final assessment is based on participation in the practical sessions and on conducting a training procedure followed by a debrief. Participants who complete the programme receive a document confirming completion of the training. Please check the assessment procedure and the type of document with the course organiser.

Applying your knowledge after the course

The skills you acquire will allow you to take on more complex cases and confidently offer your services in specific areas. Update your profile in the registry of mediators on the portal: add the new types of mediation you work in and details of the training you have completed — this helps clients choose the right professional more accurately. If you have mastered the online format, you can apply for access to online mediation on the portal. Membership of a mediator organisation will allow you to continue supervision and share experience with colleagues.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the special course without the general one?

The course is designed for participants with basic mediation training. If you do not have it, we recommend starting with the General Mediation Course.

How does the special course differ from sector-specific programmes?

The special course covers complex situations common to different areas. Sector-specific courses, for example on family or banking mediation, go deeper into the specifics of a particular type of dispute.

Do I need to bring cases from my own practice?

It is desirable but not compulsory. Cases are discussed only in anonymised form, without any information that would allow the participants to be identified.

Is the course held online?

The format is determined by the organiser. Please check the duration, format and fees in the schedule and with the course organiser.

Will the course help me find clients?

The course improves your qualifications but does not guarantee a flow of enquiries. An up-to-date profile in the registry and a clear list of your specialisations help clients find you.

How to enrol

Submit a request using the form on this page or contact us through the contacts section of the portal. Please state whether you have experience of conducting mediation — this will help the organiser form a group of participants at a similar level. You will be informed of the next available dates and the terms of participation.