Website reviews
by Iain NisbetReviews of sites providing information on mediation
The Journal, January 2006, page 48
Scottish Mediation Network
The obvious place to start when looking for information about mediation in Scotland, the Scottish Mediation Network’s aim is to “put mediation into the mainstream” and I suppose this website is one of the means for doing just that.
The website itself is well laid out in a style which is best described as “unfussy”. Split into four main sections (one of which is the homepage!), it is well organised and once you get the hang of the navigation it is quite simple to find your way around the surprisingly large amount of useful information. From advice and information on what mediation is, to how to become a mediator, downloadable membership forms and newsletters, there is enough to keep the enthusiast busy for quite a while.
The site’s stand-out feature is the Map of Mediation Services. This is essentially a directory of services in Scotland, arranged by local authority area, which can be accessed by clicking on an interactive map. At least, it can if you’re using Internet Explorer. If you’re using Netscape Browser, it may or may not work depending on your setup. If FireFox is your browser of choice, forget it.
Even if the map is working for you, it would be more useful to be able to search under the particular field of mediation as well as or instead of by locality.
CALM
Comprehensive Accredited Lawyer Mediators uses the acronym CALM, but after a visit to its website I was anything but. The site’s logo is an orange bridge with a blue river flowing under it and the navigation adopts the form of this bridge. Though a nice enough idea, it means that the text of each of the navigational links is distorted into the shape of a bit of bridge or river and may read left to right, top to bottom, or bottom to top. This wouldn’t be such a disaster if there were alternative text links or “alt” attributes to the images used, but there are neither. Oh, and not all the internal links actually work, either. And, yes, the one text link on the main page is the phrase “click here” – very helpful! In fact, the website as a whole is hideously inaccessible.
Why is this important? Because it means that someone with a visual impairment will find it impossible to use CALM’s website. The same goes for anyone who has images turned off on their browser (something I used to do to save time due to a slow modem). Or anyone trying to access the site on some types of mobile phone. And it means that no-one will ever, ever find CALM on Google. Try it – you’ll fail! Not to mention that it’s probably in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Even if you manage to access the text, there is not that much to it, and the rollover images don’t work that well – and though the database of CALM members does, I really did not like this site.
Catalyst Mediation
Catalyst Mediation is a company offering mediation services and much of its website is given over to promoting those services. However, there are some points of wider interest.
First, the column on the home page headed “Latest” is a good place to keep up with recent developments in the world of mediation generally. Further, two PDF files in the section called “Information Library” may be of interest. The first is a list of some recommended books on mediation. The second is the Lawyers List, of those who “consider that mediation may be helpful in assisting clients to achieve a settlement which recognises their interests and meets their needs”. There are instructions on how to get yourself added to that list. There is even a “Solicitors’ Corner” for those of us who are new to mediation.
Core Mediation
Core Solutions is another mediation company, and their website has many similar resources, including a reading list and a latest news section. Of particular use may be the style mediation clause for inserting if you are drafting a contract and want to ensure that both parties attempt mediation prior to any litigation. It appears that you are free to use this clause without further permission from Core, which is helpful of them. There are also well written and illuminating “notes for legal advisors” which describe how best to advise and represent a client in a mediation.
Mediate.com
Finally I’ve just space to mention Mediate.com – a US site which is the world’s most visited mediation site. Why? The site is simply huge and access to its enormous online library of articles is absolutely free. There is plenty of interest to lawyer/mediators here as well.
Current Issue FeaturesOn the scentInterview with Jane Irvine, Chair of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, on how the new body will operate and keep itself informed on legal practice Learning to live togetherA look at relations between the Law Society of England & Wales and its split-off bodies now dealing with professional regulation and complaints against solicitors Learning to live apartParenting classes for the newly separated, now common in the USA, are about to be trialled in Scotland, following a visit by Texan divorce coach Christina McGhee ARTL: one lender's viewMaking ARTL work; sites of special scientific interest; form 4 procedure Games without frontiersThe legal framework governing broadcasting rights for major sporting events, the prospects for change and the competing interests at stake Speaking up for childrenThe joint report by the four UK Children's Commissioners to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child provides a reality check for government and should dispel complacency Poor relations?Family businesses are feeling hard done by when it comes to finding professional advice that fully understands their needs, and are organising to press for action on training Justice for sale?Paper to a conference on delivering excellence in Scotland's civil justice system challenges the treatment of justice as a "commodity" Shining light into the darknessFirst of two articles on the Budget and Finance Bill explains the important changes in income tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax Current Issue ArticlesCrunch timePresident's message: the Society is pressing for government action to mitigate the effects of the economic slowdown where it particularly hits solicitors' firms Home reports: oh no they won'tDefence of the author's views on home reports following previous replies Recoverable proceedsComment on part of the article "Dirty Money?", June 2008, p18 on recovering proceeds of crime Justice divertedOpinion that continued experience of summary justice diversion tends to contradict assertions that it is simply an efficient alternative to prosecution leading to a fine Legal aid review gets down to workSociety's letter to criminal practitioners on its work with the Scottish Government and others to monitor implementation of the summary legal aid changes CPD for new lawyersHow the Society is developing CPD training specifically for the needs of recently qualified solicitors Professional Practice CommitteeText of guideline on settlement by cheque, loan redemption and remit of the free proceeds of sale 2008 Time to sell up?Second and final part of the author's acocunt of lessons learnt from selling his legal practice: best strategies in concluding a sale, and how to prepare for what comes after Beyond chip and PINReport on a project which aims to guarantee the security of electronic signatures such as used in the ARTL system, for use in any legal transaction concluded over the internet Lender claimsWith a downturn in the property market increasing the risk of claims from lenders for losses suffered through mortgage default, the article examines how to minimise this The price of justiceLatest civil cases, including inordinate delay; third party notice; new defender; and three decisions on aspects of expenses Transition talesAnomalies and inconsistencies in practice under the new licensing regime would be greatly added to if some of the latest government proposals come to pass Falling between stoolsCourt rules place unnecessary obstacles in the way of separating cohabitants who wish to make a counter application for financial provision The Environment v XRegulations are pending that will introduce new duties to avoid, or remedy, damage to the environment - and it can sue More equal than others?Two English cases appear to settle the question of which creditors are entitled to share under the new "prescribed part" provisions Points to proveThe next phase of the points-based immigration system will come into force shortly, with the rules applying to skilled workers with a job offer Website reviewsReviews of sites covering news of matters relating to Scots law and lawyers Book reviewsReviews of Gloag & Henderson (12th ed); Evidence (Davidson) Whose star will shine?In-house lawyers have the chance to see their unique talents recognised through the latest expansion of The Signet Accreditation Taken for grantedThe Society has issued advice to in-house lawyers over the granting of a non domino dispositions in favour of their employers An A to G of EPCsWith energy performance certificates about to arrive across the property market, the author explains what they require, and some issues they raise particularly in letting |