Introducing the Board Sub-Committee on the IMI Draft Code of Conduct: Advancing Global Standards for Mediators’ Ethics

/ Ethics, IMI, Initiatives, News / By / 3 minutes of reading

By Indre Kasiulaite, Secretary of the IMI Ethics Committee

The International Mediation Institute (IMI) is delighted to introduce its newly established Board Sub-Committee on the IMI Draft Code of Conduct, a body dedicated to continuing the Ethics Committee’s initiative to revise IMI’s Code of Professional Conduct and strengthen IMI’s commitment to integrity, professionalism, and trust in mediation practice worldwide.

After three years of intensive deliberation, the IMI Ethics Committee published the first version of the Draft Revised Code of Conduct for Mediators in 2024. The non-binding Draft reflects the Committee’s collective view on ethical standards and necessary updates, drawing on over 30 monthly meetings, hundreds of hours of deliberations, and contributions from twelve members from diverse jurisdictions, including the United States, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya, Lithuania, Serbia, Italy, and Israel. The first round of public consultation ran from September 2023 to April 2024, inviting mediators and stakeholders worldwide to provide feedback and help shape the Code.

The Draft aims to provide clear, reasonable, and practical ethical standards while respecting the diversity of mediation styles and global practices. It addresses core values such as mediator competence, impartiality, confidentiality, party self-determination, and the public interest.

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In May 2025, the IMI Board approved the launch of a Second Round of Public Consultations on the Draft Code of Conduct and established the Board Sub-Committee to provide guidance and recommendations to the Board and Ethics Committee in advancing ethical standards for mediators worldwide. The Sub-Committee comprises 11 members including IMI Board members and members of the Ethics Committee and is officially commencing its work, with its first working meeting scheduled for early September 2025. During this session, members will plan further activities, as set out below.

The Board Sub-Committee initially will:

  • Initiate and lead global public consultations on the review of the Draft Code of Conduct, involving mediators, institutions, and stakeholders from different jurisdictions.
  • Coordinate information and outreach activities in cooperation with mediation organizations, conferences, and events worldwide.
  • Strengthen partnerships with professional associations, ADR institutions, and regulatory bodies to promote consistency and credibility in mediator ethics.
  • Summarize the feedback gathered during the second round of public consultations and submit recommendations to the IMI Board on the finalization and adoption of the Code.

As part of this process, a questionnaire has been created to gather input from mediators, stakeholders, and the wider public. Feedback from mediators and professionals around the globe is crucial: sharing perspectives helps ensure that the final Code is balanced, relevant, and applicable across different countries, cultures, and mediation contexts. Comments on both the substance and implementation of the Draft Code of Conduct are welcome now.

Click Here to Participate in the Questionnaire 📝

The launch of the Second Round of Public Consultations on the Draft Code of Conduct marks a milestone for IMI and the global mediation community. By creating a transparent, inclusive, and international process, the Board Sub-Committee aims to ensure that the Code reflects both best practices and the voices and experiences of mediators worldwide.

The Board Sub-Committee is currently exploring opportunities to broaden its outreach and welcomes interest from organisations and local authorities that would like a presentation of the Draft Code in their communities. Additionally, the Board Sub-Committee will consider new memberships, with decisions on application to be made in future working sessions.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming consultation events, and join us in shaping the future of mediator ethics.

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