Mixed Mode Task Force

IMI’s Mixed Mode Taskforce is examining and seeking to develop model standards and criteria for ways of combining different dispute resolution processes that may involve the interplay between public or private adjudicative systems (e.g., litigation, arbitration, or adjudication) with non-adjudicative methods that involve the use of a neutral (e.g., conciliation or mediation), whether in parallel, sequentially or as integrated processes.

Learn about Mixed Mode (Hybrid) Dispute Resolution Processes >

About

The Task Force is a combined effort by the College of Commercial Arbitrators (CCA), the International Mediation Institute (IMI) and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law. The Task Force has been charged with examining and seeking to develop model standards and criteria for ways of combining different dispute resolution processes that may involve the interplay between public or private adjudicative systems (e.g., litigation, arbitration, or adjudication) with non-adjudicative methods that involve the use of a neutral (e.g., conciliation or mediation), whether in parallel, sequentially or as integrated processes, which the Task Force has called “Mixed Mode Scenarios.” The terms of reference for the Task Force can be found under ‘Documents’ on this page.

Practically speaking, this means exploring and investigating mixed mode practices from various cultural and legal standpoints, including information about current experience, best practices, and, where appropriate, the development of protocols to guide future implementation of mixed mode processes by neutrals more broadly. Some examples of questions to be explored are as follows:

  • What are the dynamics of and appropriate uses of non-binding or non-adjudicative processes (including non-evaluative facilitation as well as non-binding evaluation or advisory opinions) in promoting settlement?
  • In what ways may neutrals help parties tailor better dispute resolution processes, such as mediation “setting the stage” for arbitration and vice versa?
  • Under what circumstances, if any, might it be appropriate for a mediator to become an arbitrator or judge, or an arbitrator or judge to become a mediator, during the course of resolving a dispute?
  • Since recent studies show settlement is becoming increasingly likely during the course of commercial arbitration, should arbitrators be more deliberate about helping to set the stage for potential settlement? If so, what are appropriate ways in which this might be done? Might arbitrators, for example: (1) make decisions on discovery/information exchange issues or rule on motions which dispose of some aspects of the dispute; (2) encourage mediation or work with the parties to arrange mediation windows in the adjudication timetable; or (3) offer parties preliminary views on issues in dispute or issue preliminary findings of facts or conclusions of law?
  • What is the proper protocol for arbitrators or institutions to follow when parties ask them to convert a settlement agreement into an arbitration award? What other issues arise in enforcing mediated settlement?
  • In what ways, if any, might non-adjudicative neutrals and adjudicative neutrals appropriately communicate in the course of working together on resolving a particular dispute, whether in a sequential, parallel or integrated manner?
  • What combinations of non-adjudicative and adjudicative processes are most appropriate in the real-time management of conflict in ongoing relationships? 
These questions are of growing global significance in the management of conflict.

The Taskforce exploring these issues is comprised of international experts in arbitration, adjudication, conciliation, litigation and mediation. The Task Force is divided into seven different Working Groups (see ‘Composition‘, below.)

A key premise of our work is that perceptions and practices regarding the mixing of modes in domestic and international dispute resolution are often heavily influenced by one or more of the following: (1) national culture(s) and legal tradition(s), (2) the local legal profession; (3) practices in specific arenas of conflict; and (4) party priorities in specific transactions or circumstances. This premise has been borne out by recent feedback from the initial results from the Global Pound Conference (GPC) Series.

Keeping these important influencers in mind, the Task Force’s Working Groups will be asked to consider and to collect descriptions of experiences with mixed modes in their assigned Working Group topics, taking into consideration, among other things:

  • What culture(s) and legal tradition(s) are at work in this example? How might they have affected the choice of or nature of the process?
  • What impact did lawyers [or the neutral] have on the choice of or nature of process?
  • What is the commercial or relational background of the dispute(s) (e.g., construction, IP, IT, labor, etc.)? What impact did this have on the choice of or nature of the process? Were specific published dispute resolution procedures used?
  • To what extent was the choice of and nature of the process dictated by the particular priorities of the parties or other specific circumstances?
  • What are likely trends and points to watch out for in the future in relation to such processes (e.g., using internet and information technology).

The people participating in this Task Force and its Working Groups do so in their personal capacities. Their views, opinions and output should not be interpreted as reflecting the positions of any of their employers or other organisations with which they may be affiliated.

Documents

Mixed Mode
Title Summary Article Download
Overview Introduction to the Series of Articles on the Mixed Mode Task Force by Jeremy Lack Mixed Mode Task Force
Working Group 1: Upstream conflict management processes (e.g., dispute resolution clauses including tiered/stepped processes) (Co-Chairs: K. Paisley (BE), J. Player (GB) & T. Stipanowich (US)) Building Dispute Resolution Processes into Agreements to Minimize and Manage Potential Conflict during the Commercial Relationship Lifecycle by Kathleen Paisley, Jane Player and Thomas Stipanowich
Working Group 2: Neutrals facilitating tailored process design (evaluative and non-evaluative) (Co-Chairs: L. Kaster (US) & J. Lack (CH)) Using a Guiding Mediator to Help the Parties Design Bespoke Dispute Resolution Processes by Laura A Kaster and Jeremy Lack Download “WG 2 Final Report – Neutrals facilitating tailored process design”
Working Group 3: Mediators using non-binding evaluations and proposals (Co-Chairs: K. Fan (HK) & V. Fraser (CA)) Mediators Using Non-binding Evaluations and Making Settlement Proposals by Véronique Fraser and Kun Fan Download “WG 3 Draft Report – Practice Guidelines Non-Binding Evalauations, May 09 2021”
Working Group 4:  Arbitrator Techniques and their (Direct or Potential) Effect on Settlement (E. Sussman (US) & K.P. Berger (DE)) Arbitrator Techniques and their (direct or potential) Effect on Settlement by Edna Sussman and Klaus Peter Berger Download “WG 4 Arbitrators and settlement, 16 Nov 2021”
Working Group 5: Neutrals switching hats (M. Mironi (IL) & Thomas J. Stipanowich and Mordehai (Moti) Mironi ‘Switching Hats’: Developing International Practice Guidance for Single-Neutral Med-Arb, Arb-Med, and Arb-Med-Arb by Thomas J. Stipanowich and Mordehai (Moti) Mironi Download “WG 5 – Draft working paper, August 6 2021”
Working Group 6: Finality and enforceability of facilitated and arbitrated “Mixed Mode” outcomes (K. Paisley (BE) & J. Player (GB)) The Impact of Enforcement on Dispute Resolution Methodology by Kathleen Paisley and Jane Player
Working Group 7: Future directions: Interaction between mediators and arbitrators (D. Masucci (US) & D. Nigmatullina (RU)). Considerations for Allowing Communications between Arbitrators and Mediators Appointed to the Same Dispute by Deborah Masucci and Dilyara Nigmatullina Download “WG 7 – Interactions between Mediators and Arbitrators, 15 Oct 2021”

The series of short articles summarizing each working group’s work has recently been published in 14 New York Dispute Resolution Lawyer2 (2021), by the New York State Bar Association. You can find an overview and a description of each working group’s efforts to date by clicking on the weblink New York Dispute Resolution Lawyer – Vol 14 No 1 – New York State Bar Association (nysba.org).

Taskforce Members

Those participating in this taskforce do so in their personal capacities. The views, opinions and output of the taskforce do not necessarily reflect the position of the member’s employer or other affiliation.

Composition

The Mixed Mode Taskforce has seven working groups:

  1. Upstream conflict prevention and management (e.g. stepped clauses)
  2. Mediators setting the stage for bespoke processes (e.g. guided choice)
  3. Mediators using non-binding evaluations and proposals
  4. Arbitrators setting the stage for settlement
  5. Neutrals ‘switching hats’
  6. Finality and enforceability of facilitated and arbitrated mixed mode outcomes
  7. Future processes: interactions between mediators and arbitrators

Members of each working group can be viewed in the below spreadsheet; each working group, WG1-WG7, is found in a different tab.



Member Profiles

These profiles are shown by ‘most recent login’ by default; please scroll down to load more profiles, or search for someone by name.

Articles

  1. Combinations and Permutations: Creating a Solution-Driven Dispute Resolution Process (Video, 2020)
  2. Summary Report of the first meeting in September 23-24 2016 of the International Taskforce on Mixed Mode Dispute Resolution: Inaugural Summit at Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, USA (2017)
  3. The Arbitrator’s Mandate To Facilitation Settlement by Klaus Peter Berger and J.Ole Jensen (2017)
  4. Special Masters: How to Help Judges [and other Adjudicative Neutrals?] Extend Their Reach…And Exceed Their Grasp by Merril Hirsh (2017).
  5. The International Task Force on Mixed Mode Dispute Resolution: Exploring the Interplay between Mediation, Evaluation and Arbitration in Commercial Cases, 40 Fordham Int’ll L.J.839, by Tom Stipanowich and Veronique Fraser — White Paper based on the Inaugural Taskforce Summit of September 2016, available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2920785 (2017)
  6. Beyond Managerial Judges: Appropriate Roles in Settlement by Ellen E. Deason (2017)
  7. Guided Choice Dispute Resolution Processes: Reducing the Time and Expense to Settlement by Paul Lurie and Jeremy Lack (2014)
  8. Commercial Arbitration and Settlement: Empirical Insights into the Roles Arbitrators Play, 6 Yearbook on Arbitration and Mediation 1 by Thomas J. Stipanowich & Zachary Ulrich, available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2461839 (2014)
  9. Med-Arb: An Argument for Favoring Ex Parte Communications in the Mediation Phase by Edna Sussman (2013)
  10. Combinations of Mediation and Arbitration with the Same Neutral: A Framework for Judicial Review by Ellen E. Deason (2013)
  11. Dispute Resolution Mules – Preventing the process from being part of the problem by Michael Leathes (2012)
  12. The Neurophysiology of ADR and Process Design: A New Approach to Conflict Prevention and Resolution by Jeremy Lack and François Bogacz (2012)
  13. Med-Arb: Getting the best of both worlds, by Alan Limbury (2012)
  14. From Mediation to Settlement and from Settlement to Final Offer Arbitration: A Case Study of MEDALOA in a Transnational Business Dispute Mediation” by Mordehai Mironi in 5 New York Dispute Resolution Lawyer at p. 77 (2012)
  15. Appropriate Dispute Resolution: The Spectrum of Hybrid Techniques Available to the Parties, by Jeremy Lack (2011)
  16. Combinations and Permutations of Arbitration and Mediation: Issues and Solutions by Edna Sussman (2010)
  17. User Preferences and Mediator Practices: Can They Be Reconciled Within the Parameters Set by Ethical Considerations by Edna Sussman (2009)
  18. Hybrid Dispute Resolution Processes – ‘Getting the Best While Avoiding the Worst of Both Worlds? by Alan Limbury (2009)
  19. Developing an Effective Med-arb/Arb-med Process by Edna Sussman (2009)
  20. International compendium on the subject of Med-Arb by the New York Dispute Resolution Lawyer, No. 1 Spring (2009)
  21. East Meets West: An International Dialogue on Mediation and Med-Arb in the United States and China, 9 PEPP. DISP. RESOL. L.J. 379 (2009) by Thomas Stipanowich, et al (Transcript of international videoconference co-sponsored by The Beijing Arbitration Commission and The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and moderated by TJS)
  22. The Interaction Between Arbitration and Mediation: Vision v Reality by Renate Dendorfer and Jeremy Lack (2007)
  23. Einstein’s Lessons in Mediation, by Bob Bulder, Willem Kervers, Michael Leathes and Manon Schonewille (2006)
  24. Commercial Arbitration at Its Best: Successful Strategies for Business Users (Final Report of the CPR Institute Commission on the Future of Arbitration) (2001), edited by Thomas J. Stipanowich & Peter Kaskell, Chapter 1, pp. 18-33.

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