Drawing on their own experiences as mediators, the contributors to this book discuss the benefits and drawbacks of mediation and use case studies to illustrate how mediation works in practice. This book provides a comprehensive overview of mediation as well as containing useful information and advice for anyone involved in mediation.

Introduction. 1. History and overview of mediation in the UK, Marian Liebmann. 2. Family Mediation: Working to support separated families, Marion Stevenson, Family mediator and professional practice consultant. 3. Conflict management and peer mediation in primary schools, Elizabeth Lawrence, Freelance mediator and trainer. 4. Mediation in a South London secondary school, Mark Bitel, Partners in Evaluation and Delia Rolls, Sacred Heart School, London. 5. Community Mediation in an urban setting Graham Waddington, Newport College, University of Wales. 6. The rural mediation service, Sue Bowers, Mediator and trainer. 7. Community mediation in the US: Current developments, Deborah Boersma Zondervan, Freelance mediator and facilitator. 8. Victim - offender mediation in practice, Jean Wynne, Leeds Victim - Offender Uni. 9. Family group conferencing for victims, offenders and communities, Guy Masters, Crime Concern, and Ann Warner Roberts, Centre for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking, University of Minnesota. 10. The ACAS approach to employment dispute resolution, Francis Noonan, ACAS Head Office, London. 11. Workplace mediation, Carl Reynolds, Mara Partnership. 12. Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Paul Newman, Barrister and construction lawyer. 13. Medical mediation, Marion Wells, Lay conciliator, Avon Health Authority. 14. The multicultural Elder Mediation Project (EMP), Yvonne Craig, Elder Mediation Project. 15. Consensus building and environmental decision-making, Roger Sidaway, Institute of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Edinburgh and Hally Ingram, Shell International. 16. Mediation in situations of large-scale violence, Adam Curle, International mediator. Index.