Mediating High Conflict Disputes

Over the past ten years the authors have been developing and practicing tips for managing high conflict clients in mediation, which is now a fully developed new method: New Ways for Mediation.® This book gives all of the little tips which any mediator can use, as well as the step-by-step structure of the New Ways for Mediation method for those who want to have better control of the process in high conflict cases-or any cases.Bill Eddy is primarily a family mediator in San Diego, California, with a worldwide reputation for training mediators, lawyers, judges and counselors in methods for working with clients with high conflict personality disorders or traits. Michael Lomax is a mediator dealing with family, workplace, military and government agency disputes in British Columbia, Canada. Both have provided trainings in this method for High Conflict Institute over the past ten years.This book is divided into three parts: First, a thorough explanation is given of the thinking and behavior of parties with high conflict personalities, with an emphasis on what does not work and should be avoided. Second, a detailed description is provided for the New Ways for Mediation method, including several paradigm shifts in each step of the process for greater success. It's similarities and differences with interest-based negotiations and transformative mediation methods are explained. Third, numerous examples are described with special issues in several settings, including family, workplace, and disputes involving government agencies.