International Mediation Developments (update)

This is an update on International Mediation Developments from Keith Seat, Mediate.com Mediation News Editor.

• Colombia announced a mediation to be held in public between the government and Ingrid Betancourt, who seeks $6.5 million for six years in FARC captivity before being rescued by Colombia’s armed forces. Colombia Reports.com (July 12, 2010)

• Argentina ordered government mediation to end a week-long blockade by the truckers union which had gridlocked five steel plants and was beginning to impact Argentina’s automobile industry. Reuters.com (August 24, 2010)

• Use of mediation is increasing in Belfast, Northern Ireland to address anti-social behavior, with reliance on two restorative justice groups. Human-Law.co.uk (August 3, 2010)

• The Supreme Court of India has referred a border dispute between the states of Assam and Nagaland to mediation, naming two mediators and specifying three mediation sessions. The case has been pending for 22 years; the mediators are to report back to the court in December. Hindustan Times (August 21, 2010). Following the success of the first three mediation centers established by the Delhi Dispute Resolution Society, the group plans an ongoing mediation awareness campaign; 16 additional mediation centers are planned for the nine districts of Dehli, India. The Hindu.com (July 12, 2010)

• A judge in Indonesia sent to mediation a lawsuit filed by citizens representing labor unions against President Yudhoyono and other government officials for failing to implement the 2004 National Social Security Law. The Jakarta Globe (August 2, 2010)

• The Federal Court of Australia announced its procedures for identifying, selecting and appointing mediators to assist with native title land claims. PSNews.com.au (August 16, 2010)

• The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines stated during oral arguments that a special committee was being formed to try mediation to resolve complex land disputes between farmers and the company of the President’s family. Business World Online (August 24, 2010). The Philippine government saved over 2.3 billion pesos (over $50 million) through use of village dispute mediator councils which successfully resolved about 80% of 300,000 disputes before them. All Voices.com (July 8, 2010)

• A Hong Kong court considered the relevant circumstances and imposed higher costs on a party for unreasonably refusing to mediate in Golden Eagle International (Group), Ltd. v. GR Investment Holdings, Ltd., as required by Practice Direction 31. International Law Office.com (August 10, 2010)

                       

Keith Seat

Keith L. Seat is a full-time mediator and arbitrator who can effectively assist parties in resolving a wide range of telecommunications, antitrust and other commercial disputes. With over twenty years of legal experience as a mediator, arbitrator, litigator, advocate before executive branch agencies, and key staffer in the legislative and… MORE >