International Mediation Institute
www.IMImediation.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I become IMI Certified?

There are two possible Paths to IMI Certification:

(a) IMI Competency Assessment Path
This will be the main path, and will entail a roleplay test under the scrutiny of independent assessors applying published criteria and scoring methods. The assessors will also interview all candidates after the roleplay. The assessment criteria will be established at a high level and will assume that candidates are experienced mediators. Candidates will be able to select different styles of mediation in which their competency will be assessed. The tests are in the process of being devised by IMI’s Independent Standards Commission, and details will be published in early 2009.

(b) IMI Experience Qualification Path
Until June 30, 2009 experienced commercial mediators may apply to be IMI Certified without taking the Competency Assessment Test. To do so, it is necessary to fall under one of three possible qualification categories, and to compile a Profile for uploading onto the IMI web portal that can be searchable by Users.

What is meant by “commercial” mediators?

Mediators who regularly mediate in disputes that involve companies. This includes all the traditional commercial dispute areas like contract, financial and securities, antitrust, insurance, etc as well as construction, intellectual property and workplace related issues such as employment and personal injury.

If the Experience Qualification Path applies to me, how do I prepare an application?

Start gathering feedback from past, current and future Users by using the IMI Feedback Request Form, appoint a Reviewer to prepare a Feedback Digest in accordance with IMI’s Guidelines for preparing Feedback Digests and get ready to complete the IMI Profile. Once these simple things are done, you may apply to IMI, secure confirmation from IMI that you are IMI Certified and then pay the Profile Listing Fee.

What will IMI Certification cost?

Users will pay nothing to search the IMI web portal for Certified Mediators. Mediators will pay a nominal Profile Listing Fee to help cover the web portal development, search engine and technical support (currently €125/$185/£100) or a discounted 3-year listing fee (€300/$450/£250)

How does IMI Certification differ from Accreditations and Certifications offered by Mediation Providers and Mediator Trainers around the world?

Some of the world’s most acclaimed training organizations offer courses for aspiring mediators resulting in an assessment and, to successful candidates, an accreditation which is usually achievable without having had any actual experience as a mediator other than as part of the training course. IMI Certification is for those who have significant experience of practicing as a mediator, and the IMI Competency Assessment Test will be set at such a high level that only those with experience in practice may be IMI Certified. IMI Certification in no way replaces accreditations offered by training organizations and professional institutions but is aimed at a practicing professionals to enhance confidence in mediators and mediation as a preferred way of solving dispute and disagreements .

Who can I appoint as a Reviewer?

Mediators can appoint as a Reviewer a practicing mediator or asuitable ADR organization in accordance with IMI Guidelines for Appointing a Reviewer.

Can I complete the IMI Mediator Profile without a Feedback Digest?

No. Your Feedback Digest helps Users assess your suitability as a mediator for a particular case they are considering submitting to mediation based on how prior Users have already assessed you. See a Feedback Form completed in an actual case and an example of a Mediation Profile.

What will be unique about the IMI Scheme and Program?

The opportunity exists to be the first and only Portal to bring together all the world’s recognized commercial Mediators in one place, and to provide business Users, through the Feedback Digests and other competency indicators, with reliable and objective information.

Does the market want this?

Yes. The IMI Portal will deliver transparent, relevant, credible and impartial information in a searchable format, much of which is not currently available in one place. Virtually every User who has been consulted has expressed a strong desire for access to more objective data to aid them to understand mediation and to choose Mediators reliably. There is currently remarkably little user-friendly impartial information on the field. The demand is supported by IMI research in North America, Europe and elsewhere.

What are the perceived advantages for Users?

Access to a single Portal, without cost, to provide useful and impartial information about Mediators, Providers and Trainers, and about mediation and related processes.
Transparency to optimize high and verifiable standards of mediation delivery and to deliver a close alignment with the quality end of the market.
Wider choice of potential Mediators who may be competent and suitable for particular parties or a particular dispute. Avoids time-consuming task of searching many websites and other sources, enables Mediators to be compared on similar criteria, and is cost free.
Adds value to Users by motivating Mediators to become part of an international peer-reviewed program on an ongoing basis, elevating standards and advancing the professional status and acceptability of Mediators and mediation.
Greater reliability of information about actual Mediator track records, diminishing the effect of potentially unreliable gossip and hearsay in the decision to appoint a Mediator. Feedback Digests will be independently prepared by professional peers implementing IMI guidelines and based on actual direct feedback from prior Users.

What are the perceived advantages for Mediators?

Recognition of their competency and achievements by all Users worldwide.
Much greater accessibility to a vast number of Users will expand the network and bring the prospect of more challenging and varied mediations.
Indication of Mediators’ affiliations, cross-referenced by links to Providers/Trainers.
Greater reliability of information about actual Mediator performance, diminishing the effect on a Mediator’s career of potentially unreliable and inaccurate gossip and hearsay. Feedback Digests are a significantly more credible form of marketing skills to Users than reliance on word-of-mouth recommendations and traditional marketing.
Low cost – the only costs being any that are associated with the necessity to appoint a Reviewer (a peer or provider/professional institution) to compile and update a Feedback Digest, plus an annual nominal IMI profile listing charge.
Direct involvement with the only global professional collaboration of the most qualified Mediators, complete with assessment and professional development opportunities, actively participating in making mediation an independent worldwide profession.

What are the perceived advantages for Providers?

Endorsement of high-level competency that extends reach internationally.
Ability to nominate Panel members for inclusion on IMI website, with the possibility of referrals to individual Panel members routing via the Provider.
The ability to assess Panel members on a constant basis via internationally-recognized feedback standards.
The opportunity to be appointed as Reviewer and thereby add value to the relationship with Panel members.
Opportunity to feature on the IMI Portal with a sponsored link.

How will Provider organizations be featured on the IMI Portal?

Providers of mediation services which are recognized by IMI as selecting their Mediators based upon an assessment of competency will be entitled to:

nominate their Panel Members to be included on the IMI Portal (without cost), and
feature their services on the IMI Quality Provider listing on the IMI Portal.

What are the perceived advantages for Training organizations?

Endorsement of high-level training competency that extends reach internationally.
Recognition for the quality of program required to prepare candidates for the roleplay test to become IMI Certified and to set up that test locally.
The opportunity to be appointed as a Reviewer
Opportunity to feature on the IMI Portal with a sponsored link.

Will any other organizations be featured on the IMI Portal?

Selected non-profit organizations, including open news, information and educational institutions, will be entitled to be featured on the IMI Portal without cost as part of IMI’s commitment to share and advance information about mediation as widely as possible.

Will IMI provide any mediation services?

No, IMI will not operate as a Referrer, Provider or Trainer. Its mission will be limited to the establishment and advancement of standards, and the provision and promotion of impartial information as described.

How will the IMI Scheme and Program be funded?

Access to the IMI Portal will be open – there will be no charge for access by Users or anyone else visiting the Portal and using the search engine or other material.

IMI’s core funding will be contributed by corporate benefactors and public institutions. Specific funding will be directed to help defray the cost of becoming certified in certain countries and to fund the Mediation Information Program and the scholarship program.

As benefactors expect Mediators and other service providers deriving direct value from IMI to contribute something in return, it is proposed that:

Mediators who wish to include their Profile on the Portal, and who qualify to do so, will be asked to contribute a nominal fee to cover the costs of maintaining their Profile on the IMI Portal.

Provider and Training Organizations may be charged a nominal sum for having a link on the IMI Portal.

Will IMI build into an unwieldy bureaucracy?

No. The Scheme will partly be self-administered by Mediators, their Reviewers and Provider and Training entities based upon transparent professional principles. Quality checks will be made by IMI to ensure that the criteria and guidelines are implemented appropriately. The efforts of IMI’s staff will be focused on maintaining the search engine and constantly improving the Mediation Information Program, a task on which IMI will to a certain extent rely upon the collaboration of Mediators, Providers, Trainers and Educators. IMI will build relationships with certain professional bodies to help implement the scheme.

Will IMI publish information and statistics about its progress?

IMI will provide updated information about the Portal’s launch and usage as well as comments and feedback from Users, Mediators, Trainers, Providers and others.

Will Mediators be able to claim any IMI qualifications?

All Mediators whose Profiles are included on the IMI Portal may assert that they are “IMI Certified” and will be entitled to use the IMI logo,

How will the Scheme be adaptable to different styles and cultures?

In two ways. First, the Feedback Digest will naturally reflect each Mediator’s style and the environment in which they are operating. Secondly, it is proposed that Mediators taking the acted roleplay test will be able to select from a number of different roleplays offering different mediation styles and cultural conditions, some of which will be judged by different assessment criteria. These details will be defined by the Commission. Moreover, the process of gathering feedback and preparing Digests will take style and culture issues into account.

Can an IMI Certified Mediator lose his/her certification?

Yes, as a result of disciplinary action or unwillingness to remain in the Scheme.

What recourse will there be against an IMI Certified Mediator?

The Code of Professional Conduct and the Professional Conduct Assessment Process will be part of the Scheme’s implementing material IMI Certified Mediators are not required to adopt the IMI Code or the Professional Conduct Assessment Process, but if they select alternatives they will be required in their Profile to indicate which Code and which complaints procedure will be applicable.

Is any of the above subject to further change and refinement?

Yes. As the Scheme and the Program develop details may be improved, both before and after launch. Following further comment by the Commission, nomenclature may change and the criteria, guidelines and standards developed by the Commission may be refined.

October 17, 2008

	About IMI Why The Hague? Quote Unquote Vision&Mission Certification IMI ISC Members Mediator Profile Form Mediator Profile Example Appointing a Reviewer Feedback Digest Code of Conduct Conduct Assessment Feedback Request Form Feedback Example How to become IMI Certified FAQs How to become IMI Certified News Learnership Deal Mediation Mediation Knols Mediation Blogs Mediation Podcasts International Mediation Institute www.IMImediation.org FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How can I become IMI Certified? There are two possible Paths to IMI Certification: (a) IMI Competency Assessment Path This will be the main path, and will entail a roleplay test under the scrutiny of independent assessors applying published criteria and scoring methods. The assessors will also interview all candidates after the roleplay. The assessment criteria will be established at a high level and will assume that candidates are experienced mediators. Candidates will be able to select different styles of mediation in which their competency will be assessed. The tests are in the process of being devised by IMI’s Independent Standards Commission, and details will be published in early 2009. (b) IMI Experience Qualification Path Until June 30, 2009 experienced commercial mediators may apply to be IMI Certified without taking the Competency Assessment Test. To do so, it is necessary to fall under one of three possible qualification categories, and to compile a Profile for uploading onto the IMI web portal that can be searchable by Users. What is meant by “commercial” mediators? Mediators who regularly mediate in disputes that involve companies. This includes all the traditional commercial dispute areas like contract, financial and securities, antitrust, insurance, etc as well as construction, intellectual property and workplace related issues such as employment and personal injury. If the Experience Qualification Path applies to me, how do I prepare an application? Start gathering feedback from past, current and future Users by using the IMI Feedback Request Form, appoint a Reviewer to prepare a Feedback Digest in accordance with IMI’s Guidelines for preparing Feedback Digests and get ready to complete the IMI Profile. Once these simple things are done, you may apply to IMI, secure confirmation from IMI that you are IMI Certified and then pay the Profile Listing Fee. What will IMI Certification cost? Users will pay nothing to search the IMI web portal for Certified Mediators. Mediators will pay a nominal Profile Listing Fee to help cover the web portal development, search engine and technical support (currently €125/$185/£100) or a discounted 3-year listing fee (€300/$450/£250) How does IMI Certification differ from Accreditations and Certifications offered by Mediation Providers and Mediator Trainers around the world? Some of the world’s most acclaimed training organizations offer courses for aspiring mediators resulting in an assessment and, to successful candidates, an accreditation which is usually achievable without having had any actual experience as a mediator other than as part of the training course. IMI Certification is for those who have significant experience of practicing as a mediator, and the IMI Competency Assessment Test will be set at such a high level that only those with experience in practice may be IMI Certified. IMI Certification in no way replaces accreditations offered by training organizations and professional institutions but is aimed at a practicing professionals to enhance confidence in mediators and mediation as a preferred way of solving dispute and disagreements . Who can I appoint as a Reviewer? Mediators can appoint as a Reviewer a practicing mediator or asuitable ADR organization in accordance with IMI Guidelines for Appointing a Reviewer. Can I complete the IMI Mediator Profile without a Feedback Digest? No. Your Feedback Digest helps Users assess your suitability as a mediator for a particular case they are considering submitting to mediation based on how prior Users have already assessed you. See a Feedback Form completed in an actual case and an example of a Mediation Profile. What will be unique about the IMI Scheme and Program? The opportunity exists to be the first and only Portal to bring together all the world’s recognized commercial Mediators in one place, and to provide business Users, through the Feedback Digests and other competency indicators, with reliable and objective information. Does the market want this? Yes. The IMI Portal will deliver transparent, relevant, credible and impartial information in a searchable format, much of which is not currently available in one place. Virtually every User who has been consulted has expressed a strong desire for access to more objective data to aid them to understand mediation and to choose Mediators reliably. There is currently remarkably little user-friendly impartial information on the field. The demand is supported by IMI research in North America, Europe and elsewhere. What are the perceived advantages for Users? Access to a single Portal, without cost, to provide useful and impartial information about Mediators, Providers and Trainers, and about mediation and related processes. Transparency to optimize high and verifiable standards of mediation delivery and to deliver a close alignment with the quality end of the market. Wider choice of potential Mediators who may be competent and suitable for particular parties or a particular dispute. Avoids time-consuming task of searching many websites and other sources, enables Mediators to be compared on similar criteria, and is cost free. Adds value to Users by motivating Mediators to become part of an international peer-reviewed program on an ongoing basis, elevating standards and advancing the professional status and acceptability of Mediators and mediation. Greater reliability of information about actual Mediator track records, diminishing the effect of potentially unreliable gossip and hearsay in the decision to appoint a Mediator. Feedback Digests will be independently prepared by professional peers implementing IMI guidelines and based on actual direct feedback from prior Users. What are the perceived advantages for Mediators? Recognition of their competency and achievements by all Users worldwide. Much greater accessibility to a vast number of Users will expand the network and bring the prospect of more challenging and varied mediations. Indication of Mediators’ affiliations, cross-referenced by links to Providers/Trainers. Greater reliability of information about actual Mediator performance, diminishing the effect on a Mediator’s career of potentially unreliable and inaccurate gossip and hearsay. Feedback Digests are a significantly more credible form of marketing skills to Users than reliance on word-of-mouth recommendations and traditional marketing. Low cost – the only costs being any that are associated with the necessity to appoint a Reviewer (a peer or provider/professional institution) to compile and update a Feedback Digest, plus an annual nominal IMI profile listing charge. Direct involvement with the only global professional collaboration of the most qualified Mediators, complete with assessment and professional development opportunities, actively participating in making mediation an independent worldwide profession. What are the perceived advantages for Providers? Endorsement of high-level competency that extends reach internationally. Ability to nominate Panel members for inclusion on IMI website, with the possibility of referrals to individual Panel members routing via the Provider. The ability to assess Panel members on a constant basis via internationally-recognized feedback standards. The opportunity to be appointed as Reviewer and thereby add value to the relationship with Panel members. Opportunity to feature on the IMI Portal with a sponsored link. How will Provider organizations be featured on the IMI Portal? Providers of mediation services which are recognized by IMI as selecting their Mediators based upon an assessment of competency will be entitled to: nominate their Panel Members to be included on the IMI Portal (without cost), and feature their services on the IMI Quality Provider listing on the IMI Portal. What are the perceived advantages for Training organizations? Endorsement of high-level training competency that extends reach internationally. Recognition for the quality of program required to prepare candidates for the roleplay test to become IMI Certified and to set up that test locally. The opportunity to be appointed as a Reviewer Opportunity to feature on the IMI Portal with a sponsored link. Will any other organizations be featured on the IMI Portal? Selected non-profit organizations, including open news, information and educational institutions, will be entitled to be featured on the IMI Portal without cost as part of IMI’s commitment to share and advance information about mediation as widely as possible. Will IMI provide any mediation services? No, IMI will not operate as a Referrer, Provider or Trainer. Its mission will be limited to the establishment and advancement of standards, and the provision and promotion of impartial information as described. How will the IMI Scheme and Program be funded? Access to the IMI Portal will be open – there will be no charge for access by Users or anyone else visiting the Portal and using the search engine or other material. IMI’s core funding will be contributed by corporate benefactors and public institutions. Specific funding will be directed to help defray the cost of becoming certified in certain countries and to fund the Mediation Information Program and the scholarship program. As benefactors expect Mediators and other service providers deriving direct value from IMI to contribute something in return, it is proposed that: Mediators who wish to include their Profile on the Portal, and who qualify to do so, will be asked to contribute a nominal fee to cover the costs of maintaining their Profile on the IMI Portal. Provider and Training Organizations may be charged a nominal sum for having a link on the IMI Portal. Will IMI build into an unwieldy bureaucracy? No. The Scheme will partly be self-administered by Mediators, their Reviewers and Provider and Training entities based upon transparent professional principles. Quality checks will be made by IMI to ensure that the criteria and guidelines are implemented appropriately. The efforts of IMI’s staff will be focused on maintaining the search engine and constantly improving the Mediation Information Program, a task on which IMI will to a certain extent rely upon the collaboration of Mediators, Providers, Trainers and Educators. IMI will build relationships with certain professional bodies to help implement the scheme. Will IMI publish information and statistics about its progress? IMI will provide updated information about the Portal’s launch and usage as well as comments and feedback from Users, Mediators, Trainers, Providers and others. Will Mediators be able to claim any IMI qualifications? All Mediators whose Profiles are included on the IMI Portal may assert that they are “IMI Certified” and will be entitled to use the IMI logo, How will the Scheme be adaptable to different styles and cultures? In two ways. First, the Feedback Digest will naturally reflect each Mediator’s style and the environment in which they are operating. Secondly, it is proposed that Mediators taking the acted roleplay test will be able to select from a number of different roleplays offering different mediation styles and cultural conditions, some of which will be judged by different assessment criteria. These details will be defined by the Commission. Moreover, the process of gathering feedback and preparing Digests will take style and culture issues into account. Can an IMI Certified Mediator lose his/her certification? Yes, as a result of disciplinary action or unwillingness to remain in the Scheme. What recourse will there be against an IMI Certified Mediator? The Code of Professional Conduct and the Professional Conduct Assessment Process will be part of the Scheme’s implementing material IMI Certified Mediators are not required to adopt the IMI Code or the Professional Conduct Assessment Process, but if they select alternatives they will be required in their Profile to indicate which Code and which complaints procedure will be applicable. Is any of the above subject to further change and refinement? Yes. As the Scheme and the Program develop details may be improved, both before and after launch. Following further comment by the Commission, nomenclature may change and the criteria, guidelines and standards developed by the Commission may be refined. October 17, 2008 Discover IMI IMI Vision IMI Mission IMI Certification Scheme

International Mediation Institute www.IMImediation.org